2023 Mazda CX-60 comparison: Is petrol or diesel better?

While some brands are moving away from diesel power, Mazda has invested heavily in the development of both petrol and diesel inline-six engines for its premium products – led by the CX-60 on test here.

But which should you buy?

That’s what Paul and our video team set out to discover. Watch the video above to find out which take on the CX-60 formula is more appealing, and read on for all the key specifications of Mazda’s more premium new SUV.

How much?

On test we have the G40e Azami ($73,000), and the G50e Azami ($75,000) – prices exclude on-road costs.

That aligns them with the entry-level BMW X3 sDrive20i ($81,700), Audi Q5 35 TDI Dynamic Black ($71,250), and Volvo XC60 Plus B5 ($73,990).

2023 Mazda CX-60 pricing:

• Mazda CX-60 Evolve
  • G40e M Hybrid: $59,800
  • D50e M Hybrid: $61,800
  • P50e PHEV: $72,300
• Mazda CX-60 GT
  • G40e M Hybrid: $67,800
  • D50e M Hybrid: $69,800
  • P50e PHEV: $80,300
• Mazda CX-60 Azami
  • G40e M Hybrid: $73,000
  • D50e M Hybrid: $75,000
  • P50e PHEV: $85,500

All prices are before on-road costs

What do you get?

CX-60 Evolve highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels, Grey
• Auto LED headlights
• Auto high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Body colour exterior mirrors
• Side mirrors with:
  • Power adjustment
  • Auto folding
  • Heating
  • Auto-dimming
• Honeycomb grille design
• Black wheel arches and lower cladding
• Remote operated power tailgate (open/close)
• G-Vectoring Control Plus
• 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system
• 7.0-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (G40e, D50e)
• 12.3-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (P50e)
• Head-up display
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite navigation
• 8-speaker sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• Front USB-C charging points
• Rear console incl. USB-C, 150W AC outlets
• Rear 1500W AC power outlet socket (PHEV)
• Keyless entry, push-button start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Electric park brake with auto-hold
• One-touch power windows
• Leather steering wheel
• Leather shift knob
• Black Maztex upholstery
• Manual front seat adjustment

CX-60 GT adds:

• 20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallic
• LED headlights with ‘dark signature’
• Rear combination lights incl. signature illumination
• Power sliding panoramic sunroof
• Gloss black exterior mirrors
• 2-position memory, side mirrors
• Body colour wheel arches, lower cladding
• Gloss black honeycomb grille
• Exterior mirror position memory
• Hands-free remote operated power tailgate (open/close)
• 12.3-inch TFT LCD digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch infotainment system
• 12-speaker Bose premium sound system incl. amplifier
• Driver monitor system
• Personalise system
• Electric steering wheel adjustment
• Heated steering wheel
• Black leather upholstery
• 10-way driver seat power adjustment with lumbar adjustment
• 8-way front passenger seat power adjustment
• 2-position driver memory
• Heated front seats
• Heated outer rear seats
• Surround-view cameras

CX-60 Azami adds:

• 20-inch machined alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights with ‘bright signature’
• Body colour exterior mirrors
• Front bumper with bar-type grille
• Cruising & Traffic Support
• Front cross-traffic alert
• Surround-view cameras with see-through view
• Personalise system with ‘Easy Entry & Driving’
• LED ambient lighting
• Frameless interior mirror
• Black Nappa leather upholstery
• Ventilated front seats
• Leather side door trim with courtesy lamp

Optional Equipment

Vision Technology Package: $2000 (Evolve, GT)

• Surround-view camera with see-through view
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (G40e, D50e Evolve)
• Adaptive LED headlights (GT)
• Cruising & Traffic Support
• Driver monitoring
• Front cross-traffic alert

Luxury Package: $4000 (Evolve)

• Vision Technology
• Exterior mirror memory
• Leather upholstery, Black
• Heated front seats
• Power front seat adjustment

SP Package: $2000 (Azami)

• 20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallic
• Dark-coloured side signature
• Gloss black honeycomb-type grille
• Gloss black exterior mirrors
• LED headlights with dark signature
• Suede dashboard panel
• Tan Nappa leather upholstery
• Two-tone steering wheel

Takumi Package: $2000 (Azami)

• Bright decoration panel
• Cloth dashboard panel with ‘Kakenui’ stitching
• White Maple Wood console panel
• White Nappa leather upholstery

Are they safe?

The Mazda CX-60 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP in 2022.

It scored 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 77 per cent for safety assist.

Standard safety features include:

• 10 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Forward incl. Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
  • Reverse
  • Junction assist (Turn-across Traffic)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Forward obstruction warning
• High Beam Control (auto high-beam)
• Lane-keep assist
• Parking sensors front, rear
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Surround camera system
• Traffic sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Vehicle exit warning

CX-60 Azami adds:

• Adaptive LED Headlights
• Cruising & Traffic Support
  • Adaptive cruise + lane centring
• Front cross-traffic alert
• 360-degree cameras incl. See Through View

The Azami’s additional safety equipment can be optioned in both the Evolve and GT grades through the Vision Technology Package.

What’s under the bonnet?

The G40e3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine produces 209kW of power and 450Nm of torque. Mazda claims models with this engine equipped can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds.

The D50e3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine produces 187kW and 500Nm of torque. Mazda claims models with this engine equipped can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.

Both of these 3.3-litre inline-six engines are mated to a 48V mild-hybrid system and have engine idle stop/start.

All engines are combined with a newly-developed eight-speed automatic transmission, with drive sent through a new rear-biased all-wheel drive system with Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing drive modes.

Claimed fuel economy in the diesel is 4.9 litres per 100km, the petrol uses a claimed 7.4 litres per 100km.

Cost of ownership

The 2023 Mazda CX-60 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, like every Mazda model offered locally.

Maintenance in the petrol is required every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres; the diesel has shorter intervals at 12 months or 10,000 kilometres.

Mazda CX-60 service pricing:

CarExpert’s Take

There’s plenty to like about both these cars, although both also have some flaws.

But the pick for now is the diesel, which blends plenty of punch with more impressive efficiency than its petrol sibling. You’ll have to watch the video at the top of this story for the full breakdown of why…

Would you have a petrol or diesel engine?

MORE: Everything Mazda CX-60