Mazda's big ambition

Sitting at the top of Mazda's SUV range the new CX-60 arrives as the CX-5's upmarket sibling

- Gugu Masuku

Price: R844 500
Engine: 2,5-litre, four-cylinder,petrol
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 141 kW @ 6 000 r/min
Torque: 261 N.m @ 4 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 8,8 seconds*
Top speed: N/A
Fuel consumption: 7,7 L/100 km
CO₂ emissions: 169 g/km*
Rivals: Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan X-Trail, Peugeot 3008, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan

For the longest time, the CX-5 has held the position of Mazda's s flagship model here in South Africa. There's been little to fault in the SUV, offering consumers a comprehensive list of typically optional features as standard depending on which variant you purchased, long before other manufacturers hopped on this trend. A new ruler has arrived in the Mazda stable, one we've been waiting for with great anticipation. Meet the CX-60 SUV, a new flagship for Mazda South Africa.

The CX-60's purpose in life is to elevate things for the Japanese brand, bringing a fresh design to the table, different to the established generation of Mazda SUVS on offer. It is quite the looker, using an evolution of Mazda's Kodo design philosophy, now with more imposing proportions and a long bonnet. It has a new face with-rounder headlights, instead of the narrow design we've become accustomed to. At the rear, Mazda opted for a fresh look there, too, with a redesigned flank and a sleeker set of taillights than we're used to.

There are some distinguishing features between the two model grades, the most notable being the honeycomb- and vertical grille applications. One has a gloss black finish; the other doesn't.