'We had to do something': Mazda CX-60 to get cheaper and more comfortable as brand's first 'Mazda Premium' SUV targets $50k price point

The Mazda CX-60 will welcome a new and cheaper entry-level variant and introduce range-wide ride and handling changes in the first half of next year as the brand's first "Mazda Premium" product continues to find its feet in Australia.

The canary down Mazda's new "Mazda Premium" coal mine, being the first product spun off the brand's Large Product Architecture, and the first to feature the choice between six-cylinder petrol or diesel engines, and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

But the CX-60 came into criticism from customers over what was deemed a too-firm ride - and one that Mazda concedes focused too much on driving dynamics and not enough on cabin comfort.

In fact, owners of Mazda CX-60 models built between 28 March and 30 September 2023 were made eligible for revised rear suspension parts, as well as a software update applicable to all CX-60s to smooth the operation of Mazda’s eight-speed automatic transmission.

"This is a running change available to CX-60 owners allowing early customers to align their vehicle with the latest factory specification. This option includes a revised rear shock absorber fitted at no cost through the Mazda dealer network," a Mazda spokesperson said at the time.

An argument could also be mounted that the new price point was a deterrent, given the introduction of drive-away pricing that slashed thousands off the sticker price – taking the entry-level Evolve petrol from an MSRP of $60,550 to a drive-away price of $56,990 – saw sales soar by 20 percent.

The brand has moved to address both issue with an update that will see a new suspension system, steering changes and a new gearbox tune rolled out range wide, as well as the introduction of a more accessible Pure entry-level grade that will reduce the entry point to the range.

First, the ride. Mazda's Kohei Shibata - program manager for the CX-60 and CX-80 - told CarsGuide that the engineering team had focused too much on dynamics, conceding that the brand "didn't really think about the areas which might be uncomfortable".

"For the Large Architecture models, we (wanted) things, which was a great handling feel, responsiveness, linear handling. So those are the things we pursued, and focused on. So all the Mazda engineers just focused on this particular area" he said.

"And we've done maybe too much on that. We actually didn't really think about the areas which might be uncomfortable in certain driving situations for customers.

"We received a variety of feedback from customers. And all the Mazda engineers felt grateful about that. And they really strongly felt that we had to do something about it. So over the last year, we really concentrated on fixing all those things."

Those fixes include a more compliant suspension setup that will mirror the one found in the CX-80, as well as a smoothing out of the gear shifts and the steering, to bring the CX-60 more inline with what its customers might expect from a family SUV.

The other key change will be to the CX-60 line-up itself, with the introduction of two new trim levels, an entry-level Pure and a new Touring grade, to broaden the model's appeal, and reduce its entry point.

"Before mid next year we will introduce the updated Mazda CX-60. It's a signifiant change that reflects our aim of continuous improvement, and its timing is in line with Mazda's usual policy of implementing regular, meaningful model revisions, given the vehicle has been in the market for more than 18 months," said Mazda Australia managing director, Vinesh Bhindi.

"Two new grades, in the form of an entry-level Pure, and a Touring, are planned to be added to the range. Evolve and GT models gain Vision Technology Pack content as standard, and - in response to customer feedback - we will have updates to the suspension, steering and transmission in line with those made with the CX-80.

"It's too early to talk about pricing , but our current drive-away offers on CX-60 have resulted in a 20 percent uplift in sales, so you can be confident that the 2025 model's value proposition will be compelling, and will align closely to CX-80."

A reminder that the CX-80 Pure petrol lists at $54,950 with three rows of seats, so an entry-level CX-60 will have to be less than that.