Forget CX-50! 2023 Mazda CX-60 confirmed for Australian launch next year - but will the new CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 SUVs also head Down Under?

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The CX-60 could end up looking something like this artist’s impression. (Image credit: Motors.es)
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Justin Hilliard

Head of Editorial

3 min read

Mazda has revealed key details on its next-generation SUV line-up due in the next two years, with one of the all-new models, the two-row CX-60, already confirmed for an Australian launch “before the end of 2022”.

But before we go too far, it’s worth noting that the CX-50 – which been widely reported on as the successor of sorts for the two-row CX-5 mid-size SUV – is still happening, but it will actually be based on the same platform as the current Mazda3 small car and CX-30 small SUV.

Until now, it’d been speculated that the CX-50 would be use Mazda’s new architecture for large vehicles, which supports rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as well as four- and six-cylinder engines with mild and plug-in hybridisation respectively.

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Instead, those underpinnings will be used by the CX-60 mid-sizer and three other all-new SUVs, the two-row CX-70, three-row CX-80 and three-row CX-90, all of which could end up joining the former in local showrooms.

“We are currently working through whether they make sense for our market and offer a strong business case for adding them to our existing line-up,” a Mazda spokesperson told CarsGuide.

“That work has already been done for CX-60, so we can confirm you will see that in Australia before the end of 2022.”

As reported, the aforementioned CX-5 and the three-row CX-8 large SUV will be sold locally alongside the CX-60, but time will tell if the three-row CX-9 large SUV carries on if the CX-80 and/or CX-90 large SUVs make their way Down Under.

For reference, the CX-50 has been ruled out for Australia, with it to built in the US from January next year for North America, which will also be the major market for the wide-body CX-70 and CX-90.

Meanwhile, the regular-body CX-60 and CX-80 will instead be available in Europe, Japan and other markets that have “narrower roads and smaller parking lots”, according to Mazda.

Either way, RWD and AWD layouts will be supported, with market-specific powertrains to include a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a petrol four-cylinder engine and an electric motor.

But for those that want higher-performance options, turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines with 48V mild-hybrid systems will be offered in SkyActiv-X petrol and SkyActiv-D diesel forms. Stay tuned.

Photo of Justin Hilliard
Justin Hilliard

Head of Editorial

Justin’s dad chose to miss his birth because he wanted to watch Peter Brock hopefully win Bathurst, so it figures Justin grew up to have a car obsession, too – and don’t worry, his dad did turn up in time after some stern words from his mum. That said, despite loving cars and writing, Justin chose to pursue career paths that didn’t lend themselves to automotive journalism, before eventually ending up working as a computer technician. But that car itch just couldn’t be scratched by his chipped Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7), so he finally decided to give into the inevitable and study a Master of Journalism at the same time. And even with the long odds, Justin was lucky enough to land a full-time job as a motoring journalist soon after graduating and the rest, as they say, is history. These days, Justin happily finds himself working at CarsGuide during the biggest period of change yet for the automotive industry, which is perhaps the most exciting part of all. In case you’re wondering, Justin begrudgingly sold the Golf R (sans chip) and still has plans to buy his dream car, an E46 BMW M3 coupe (manual, of course), but he is in desperate need of a second car space – or maybe a third.
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