Large SUV gains a big diesel engine claiming to combine economy, refinement and punchy performance. Is this the best Mazda CX-60 to go for?...
On sale March | Price from £42,990
Diesel cars. Remember what they were like? Having fallen out of fashion as quickly as cigarette smoking in recent years, many buyers have moved away from the black pump as though they’re quitting a dirty habit.
While manufacturers have also diverted their efforts on developing pure electric cars, Mazda is still breathing life into the humdrum diesel combustion engine.
But why? Well, this internal combustion engine still makes sense to many buyers, especially high-mileage drivers. A single tank of diesel will still take you farther than a petrol or hybrid-powered alternative would, while a pure electric car with a fully-charged battery will still come up short.
A diesel engine’s muscular power delivery also makes for a more natural candidate when it comes to towing.
Named e-Skyactiv D, this 3.3-litre six cylinder diesel unit makes its debut in the firm’s flagship SUV with two power outputs. There’s the entry-level 197bhp version, which only drives the rear wheels, while a more powerful 251bhp version comes with four-wheel drive.
Both engines come fully equipped with tech to reduce emissions and fuel consumption, including a 48v mild hybrid system, a coasting function and – if you take a deep breath – something called Distribution-Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) Technology. In short, the latter burns fuel in a far more efficient manner, making the most of every drop of diesel.
Meanwhile, despite its size, the engine’s lightweight construction means it weighs similar to the smaller 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit used in the Mazda CX-5, which should also help retain the CX-60’s composed handling.
The lower-powered unit is only available in entry-level Exclusive Line trim, but the more powerful version (available in all three trim levels) is expected to be the best seller, thanks to the attraction of four-wheel drive.
Prices start out a little bit cheaper than the PHEV, too, so is the diesel CX-60 the one to go for?
What’s it like to drive?
We only sampled the entry-level version on this occasion and first impressions are strong.
The engine is muscular enough at low revs to pootle around town effortlessly, with plenty of mid-range punch to surge you up to motorway speeds with ease. With a 0-62mph time of 8.4sec, there’s plenty of performance in everyday driving. There’s also a digitised engine note piped through the stereo speakers for an added bit of theatre.
The motor is smooth and doesn’t sound particularly agricultural, with very little of that diesel-like clatter filtering through. There’s a hint of turbo whistle during hard acceleration but otherwise there’s just a faint rumble from the engine in the background.
The eight-speed gearbox changes gear smoothly and doesn’t take too long to downshift when you ask for a burst of power.
What could be better is the coasting function, which switches the engine off for brief periods of time when you lift off the accelerator pedal (such as on a downhill section of road). The engine switches off discreetly enough, but feels a little clunky as it coughs back into life again, feeling like a rough gear change.
All the fuel-saving tech seems to have a positive effect, though. We saw an indicated 56.5mpg on our trip computer (matching Mazda’s official figure) over a mix of motorway and country roads, which was later verified as a very impressive 59.1mpg.
The Audi Q5 40 TDI and BMW X3 xDrive20d with equivalent diesel engines are less economical (returning 44.8mpg and 48.7mpg, respectively) and both of these rivals have smaller, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines under the bonnet. They’re pricier, too.
Even if you opt for the more powerful 251bhp version of the CX60 diesel, the official fuel economy figure only drops slightly to 53.3mpg.
As with the PHEV, the CX-60 handles with plenty of composure. You’re never in any doubt how wide or heavy this car is (despite being more than 130kg lighter than the PHEV) but the weighty steering is precise and there’s very little body lean when cornering.
Another bonus reason for choosing the diesel is the improved ride comfort. Unlike the firm-riding PHEV that’s busy thumping around over bumps, the e-Skyactiv D’s suspension is much better at absorbing them. It’s still much firmer than a Q5 and X3, but at least you won’t be thrown about in your seat so much, and neither will you wince whenever you traverse over larger speed bumps.
What’s it like inside?
Apart from having a rev counter and the absence of an EV Mode button, the e-Skyactiv D’s interior is the same as the PHEV model, which you can read about in our full Mazda CX-60 review.
That means there’s a well made interior that’s easy to use. Interior space is plentiful, although taller occupants may expect a little more leg room in the rear seats, considering its size over the smaller CX-5.
If you are hoping for a seven seat version, the Mazda CX-80 will take care of that when it arrives later this year.
Keyword: 2023 Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D review