2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Evolve Review

Promising to take Mazda’s already impressive and family-friendly SUV lineup to the next level, there’s a lot riding on the CX-60 as Mazda hopes to make a deeper sales dent in the midsize SUV segment.

It’s a unique package for a segment commonly downsizing engines, with Mazda electing to buck the trend with its choice of inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid at the pointy end of the range.

There’s no denying the CX-60’s design package makes a great first impression, but just how much family-friendly substance is lurking beneath that lovely styling package?

We got behind the wheel of the entry-level CX-60 G40 Evolve to find out how Mazda’s most affordable version of its premium package provides on the value front and if it’s deserving of a spot on your midsize SUV shortlist.

Mazda CX-60 Competition

How Much Does the Mazda CX-60 Cost?

Prices for the latest Mazda CX-60 range kick off from $60,550 for the entry-level Evolve variant and stretch out to $86,800 for the range-topping CX-60 P50e Azami plug-in hybrid.

Our review vehicle is the entry-level CX-60 Evolve with both the Vision Technology and Luxury packages thrown on top, which are priced at $2,000 and $4,000, respectively.

This brings the as-tested price from $60,550 for the standard CX-60 Evolve up to $66,550 before on-road costs are applied.

Prices for the full CX-60 range can be found below.

• CX-60 G40e Evolve - $60,550

• CX-60 G40 Evolve + Vision & Luxury Package - $66,550 (tested)

• CX-60 D50e Evolve - $62,550

• CX-60 G40e GT - $68,550

• CX-60 D50e GT - $70,550

• CX-60 P50e Evolve - $73,600

• CX-60 G40e Azami - $73,750

• CX-60 D50e Azami - $75,750

• CX-60 P50e GT - $81,600

• CX-60 P50e Azami - $86,800

Keep in mind these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Mazda CX-60 G40e Evolve Vision Lux Hybrid Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Mazda CX-60 GT Have?

Mazda’s entry-level CX-60 Evolve range picks up a lengthy features list, headlined by a set of 18-inch grey metallic alloys, automatic LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry & start, a honeycomb grille with black wheel arches, a hands-free boot lift, Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus system and a head-up display.

CX-60 Evolve buyers also pick up a surround-view with front & rear parking sensors, heated, power-adjustable side mirrors with auto-dimming, a 7.0-inch TFT digital instrument cluster, black Maztex upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, an electric parking brake, one-touch windows, USB-C ports and a 150-watt AC outlet in the back and a wireless smartphone charger up front.

Our CX-60 Evolve review vehicle was fitted with two optional extra packages from the Mazda factory.

This included the Vision Technology pack which adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a transparent view for the surround-view monitor and some added safety equipment, with adaptive LED headlights reserved for the GT grade, but not available for the entry-level Evolve.

Mazda’s Luxury Package, priced at $4,000 adds leather upholstery with heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats and exterior mirror memory.

Mazda CX-60 Connectivity & Infotainment Features

While there’s a 12.3-inch infotainment system on offer in CX-60 GT variants and higher, the entry-level Evolve range makes do with a 10.25-inch system.

The CX-60 Evolve’s 10.25-inch display is tucked away nicely atop the dashboard and impresses with its crisp graphics, high brightness levels and responsiveness but is a little lacking behind the best in the segment.

While the larger displays offer touch inputs, the 10.25-inch unit misses out, which means you’ll be using Mazda’s rotary control dial to sift through menus.

Truth be told, while there’s a period of adjustment when it comes to navigation, we think Mazda’s control dial is quite intuitive and can be less distracting while making simple inputs, though it can be unforgiving in certain application menus.

Getting to know Mazda’s customisable shortcut buttons is a must for any CX-60 buyers.

Mazda’s 10.25-inch infotainment system is packaged with AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio and paired with an eight-speaker sound system, while the CX-60 GT picks up a 12-speaker BOSE sound system.

Does the Mazda CX-60 Evolve Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Tech-savvy buyers will be pleased to hear that all members of the CX-60 range, including the entry-level Evolve with the smaller 10.25-inch display offer both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity.

The process of pairing your phone wirelessly is quick and simple, while the infotainment system is quick to connect with your phone when you start the vehicle.

We experienced no drop-outs in connection over a week behind the wheel and have no complaints about the wireless smartphone mirroring front in the CX-60.

Is the Mazda CX-60 G40e Evolve Comfortable to Drive?

The Mazda CX-60 is a dynamic midsize SUV package, though its athleticism has come with some compromises to its appeal as a family chariot on the daily.

Underneath that massive, swooping bonnet, the CX-60 packs a serious punch that puts many of its rivals to shame when it comes to power.

There’s a 3.3-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that pushes out 209kW of power and 450Nm of torque to the wheels via a rear-biased all-wheel drive system.

It’s a fantastic engine that bucks the downsizing trend, providing a tonne of acceleration, a spirited soundtrack and adding character to the whole package… hats off to Mazda in this respect.

Power is transferred to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic that works well - most of the time - linking ratios quickly in a silky, smooth manner.

At times, though, the transmission has some sudden, clunky moments, particularly while coming to a stop.

Not every time, but often enough to have us scratching our heads.

Mazda issued a software patch aimed specifically at the transmission last year, though unfortunately, it was still a noticeable drawback in terms of refinement.

Around town, the CX-60 is a solid contender in the midsize SUV segment, with a lovely weighted steering rack that offers tangible feedback at low speeds while remaining easy to throw around while parking.

Take it on the open road and the steering continues to separate the CX-60 as a surprisingly dynamic midsize SUV which, combined with its powerful six-cylinder engine makes for a dynamic and exciting package.

While there’s no hiding its weight, particularly its nose-heavy proportions from that large engine, the CX-60 impressed us with its eager and responsive handling, with great poise from the rear-biassed AWD system.

As you might expect, though, the hardware capable of providing its sharp cornering abilities can come with some less-welcome quirks on a daily drive.

Even on relatively smooth city streets, you’ll start to feel bumps on the road that you might expect the CX-60 to glide over completely.

The problem persists when you pick up the pace and hit some proper bumps, with the CX-60’s suspension package struggling to take the edge off and keep things refined inside.

Around town, it’s not an uncomfortable ride, though put it under the microscope and the CX-60 is more jittery and less forgiving than the majority of its rivals to bumps on the road and in the country, things get particularly stiff.

In the context of a family vehicle, this is a pretty important area to get right.

That said, the CX-60 is impressively refined on a smooth stretch of highway where it chews up kilometres with ease.

With its sharp steering and abundant power from the inline-six engine and whisper-quiet cabin at speed, the CX-60 proves itself a lovely long-distance tourer… so long as the road is high-quality.

Is the Mazda CX-60 G40e Fuel Efficient?

The CX-60 G40e with its 3.3-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine is the least fuel-efficient member of the wider CX-60 range, though some mild-hybrid assistance keeps fuel use in a reasonably healthy place.

On a combined cycle, Mazda says the CX-60 G40e consumes a claimed 7.4L per 100km.

Our time behind the wheel saw us cover 800km while averaging 7.7L per 100km over a week of driving in town with two hefty stints on the highway.

Around town, Mazda says the CX-60 G40e consumes 9.8L per 100km while highway driving drops this figure down to 6.0L per 100km.

Mazda’s plug-in hybrid tech is the pick if you’re after the best outright fuel economy figures, though for the majority of CX-60 buyers on a budget, the D50e diesel costs $2,000 more than the petrol and brings fuel economy figures to just 4.9L/100km.

• CX-60 G40e Claimed Fuel Economy: 7.4L/100km

• CX-60 G40e Economy: 7.7L/100km (tested)

• CX-60 D50e Claimed Fuel Economy: 4.9L/100km

• CX-60 P50e Claimed Fuel Economy: 2.1L/100km (with full battery)

Is the Mazda CX-60 Practical and Spacious?

The CX-60 offers buyers a super appealing experience in the front, though things aren’t quite as impressive in the rear of the cabin.

Let’s kick it off with a look at the business end of the cabin.

Mazda’s lovely interior designs have long been a drawcard for the brand and the CX-60 very much upholds that reputation.

Even in base form, there’s no shortage of interesting design lines and contrasting textures that culminate in a very appealing cabin that feels both fresh and familiar to the brand.

Admittedly, our review vehicle was fitted with the optional Luxury package that adds leather upholstery, with the base model picking up Maztex upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard.

Climb aboard and you can tell Mazda has paid close attention to ergonomics in the front of the cabin.

Everything falls into hand beautifully, with both reach and tilt adjustment in the steering wheel and premium finishes for the important touch-points that make it particularly easy to get comfortable up front.

It’s also worth noting, though, that the driver’s rear visibility, particularly at the rear quarters is compromised by a compact tailgate window and bulky pillars.

In terms of storage, we were expecting a little more in the way of practical touches.

There’s a pair of cupholders and a tray behind the gear lever that doubles as a wireless charging pad, though the beefy centre console offers a shallow storage zone that makes us think there’s a missed opportunity.

You’ll also find a sunglasses stash, a lined glovebox, decent-sized bottle holders inside the door and a small cubby for cards to the right of the steering column, but nothing ground-breaking for the segment.

Taking a look at the side profile of the CX-60, it’s hard to ignore just how much of the footprint’s real estate is taken up by that long, swooping bonnet.

While it certainly adds an imposing character, step into the rear of the CX-60 cabin and things aren’t quite as palatial as you might be expecting.

Headroom in the second row is solid, even for tall adults, though legroom isn’t class-leading.

With a leggy driver seated in the cockpit, adult rear passengers may find their knees coming closer to the seatback than you’d like, while the upright seating position could use some form of recline.

It’s not cramped by any measure, though for a member of Mazda’s latest-generation SUV lineup - albeit the smallest of the bunch - things are a little underwhelming back here for adults, but great for kids.

Amenities in the rear seats include a pair of USB-C charging ports, a 220-volt power outlet, air vents, map pockets and a pair of bottle holders hiding inside the doors.

For parents, saddling up the CX-60 with child seats is an easy task thanks to the incredibly wide-aperture rear doors that open out to nearly 90 degrees from the body, providing easy access to a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts on the seatbacks.

How Big is the Mazda CX-60’s Boot?

When it comes to lugging cargo around, the CX-60 has you and the family covered with solid, but not ground-breaking boot space figures.

With the rear seats standing, there’s 477L of boot space on offer in the CX-60 which places the CX-60 in the middle of the midsize SUV pack when it comes to cargo capacity.

Folding the 60:40 split rear seats is simple thanks to a pair of grab handles, unlocking 1,726L of boot space when it's time to lug around bulky items and sports gear.

The CX-60’s boot offers a netted storage area on the left-hand side of the cabin that sinks below the floor line as well as two tie-down points to secure loose cargo.

• CX-60 Boot Space Minimum: 477L

• CX-60 Boot Space Maximum: 1,726L

Is the Mazda CX-60 Safe?

While it’s a base model by name, the CX-60 Evolve comes packing a lengthy safety equipment list that will leave few buyers disappointed.

As standard, the CX-60 range picks up forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as rear cross and turn-across traffic assist.

Buyers also pick up adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors, forward obstruction warnings, driver attention monitoring, traffic sign detection, tyre pressure monitoring and curtain airbags.

Our review vehicle, with Mazda’s optional Vision Technology package fitted, also picks up front cross-traffic alerts, cruising and traffic support and a transparent view for the surround-view monitor.

Does the Mazda CX-60 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Mazda CX-60 range has scored full marks from ANCAP, securing a five-star rating from testing conducted in 2022.

In those tests, the CX-60 range scored the following results:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 91%

• Child Occupant Protection: 93%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 89%

• Safety Assist: 77%

What Warranty Does the Mazda CX-60 Come With?

Mazda offers the CX-60 range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty alongside capped-price servicing for five years.

Capped price servicing costs for the G40e petrol total $2,881 over the course of five visits to the shop floor.

This makes it the second-cheapest engine to service, behind the P50e plug-in hybrid powertrain but considerably cheaper than the D50e turbo-diesel.

Five-year servicing costs for all three CX-60 engine options can be found below.

• G40e Five-Year Servicing Cost: $2,881

• D50e Five-Year Servicing Cost: $3,217

• P50e Five-Year Servicing Cost: $2,590 

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda CX-60 Worth it?

In a world filled with boring, vanilla SUV options, the CX-60 oozes charisma and style while covering many of the prerequisites for the family wagon segment.

While it doesn’t score perfect marks across the board, the entry-level CX-60 Evolve is the most logical option in the whole range, especially when coupled with Mazda’s more fuel-efficient D50e turbo-diesel engine.

The CX-60 Evolve base model gives buyers access to a lovely inline-six engine, a sleek interior and a decent equipment list, all while its pricing keeps it in the company of more familiar - and affordable- rivals.

Once you start levelling things up to a more expensive variant, the CX-60 starts competing in relatively new territory for the company, going toe-to-toe with premium rivals that are incredibly tough to beat.

In many ways, the CX-60 is a driver-centric package that offers surprisingly fun handling for such a substantial package, giving it a unique appeal in an over-crowded market segment.

This dynamic nature will come as great news for driving enthusiasts with a family looking to tick both the boxes of fun and practicality, though may turn some more conservative family buyers off entirely.

While it rides firm, there’s no denying that the CX-60 oozes charisma and something to offer buyers looking for a family-friendly SUV that is far from boring, with the entry-level Evolve making perhaps the most sense of the range.

In that respect, Mazda’s entry point into the CX-60 range is one of the most compelling and rightfully demands a spot on your premium midsize SUV shortlist - particularly with the D50e engine.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to our team of car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Mazda CX-60 G40e Evolve Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 3.3-litre, turbocharged inline-six petrol produces 209kW / 450Nm

3. 7.4L/100km fuel economy figures (claimed)

4. Eight-speed automatic, rear-biased all-wheel-drive system

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating