If you were expecting the plug-in hybrid version of the Mazda CX-60 SUV to be a much more expensive flagship over the six-cylinder versions, you might be in for some serendipity.
In the UK, where the CX-60 plug-in hybrid is already on sale, pricing for the diesel version has just been announced, and it lines up almost exactly with the mild-hybrid diesel version coming in at only about £1000 less than the PHEV for its entry grade, called Exclusive-Line for that market.
Staring at £42,990, which directly converts to AUD$76,881, the diesel six-cylinder Exclusive-Line is the lowest price one can expect to pay for Mazda’s new SUV in the UK, while the four-cylinder PHEV version starts at £43,950, or AUD$78,598.
Of course, Mazda Australia won’t set its pricing to directly correlate to that of the UK. In fact, if we take another model’s pricing from the UK and convert it to see how it lines up with Australia, it might paint a picture of what we can expect.
Taking another ‘premium-bent’ CX model, the CX-30, and converting its £24,645 staring price to Australian Dollars gives AUD$44,071, which is much higher than the price of the similarly-specified entry point in Australia – $30,090 before on-road costs.
While this doesn’t confirm without a doubt that the CX-60 will be about $14,000 cheaper than its directly converted UK price when it lands here, it does show us that the UK’s pricing has form to be higher than our own.
Anyone who was expecting to see the Mazda CX-60 reach the lofty heights of six figures can likely breathe easy – even in converted UK pricing, the highest AUD figure we returned was $90,723 for the equivalent UK pricing for the top-spec ‘Takumi’ in diesel, at £50,730.
Interestingly, the equivalent Takumi version of the PHEV isn’t more expensive as is the case at the bottom of the range – it’s £48,050, which becomes AUD$$85,930.
Previously, it was expected the PHEV version of the Mazda CX-60 would be a flagship model given both its electrified drivetrain, as well as the fact it’s Mazda’s most powerful production road car yet.
Its 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine is paired with a 100kW electric motor and 355V, 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery for a total system output of 241kW and 500Nm.
In diesel form, the CX-60’s 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder engine makes 187kW and 550Nm, while the petrol version of the same-sized engine makes 209kW and 450Nm.
Across the range, the Mazda CX-60 will come with features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a powered tailgate, keyless entry, and powered exterior mirrors with auto-folding, heating and auto-dimming.
Inside, more premium features and design elements like real wood panelling and traditional Japanese-inspired stitching across the fabric dashboard trim should help the CX-60 take the fight to some properly established premium rivals like the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Keyword: Take your pick! Pricing for Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid and diesel prices could be a pleasant surprise