Cupra Tavascan vs Mazda CX-60

What's the difference?

Timing is everything.

For instance, with all the bad publicity the man behind the brand is generating, right now might be the perfect time if you’re in the market for a Tesla Model Y alternative.

And that’s especially so if said alternative happens to be around the same price… such as the all-new Cupra Tavascan.

No, not an antacid for relief from indigestion, but the Volkswagen Group’s Spanish brand’s first medium-sized electric SUV.

Is it good enough to catapult Cupra into the big time in Australia?

Time to find out!

A good car in its own right, the Mazda CX-60 has nevertheless been one of the most disappointing new-model releases of recent times.

After the ongoing critical and commercial success of the CX-5, its somewhat larger premium mid-sized sibling should have been a slam dunk, with BMW-evoking longitudinal drivetrain and terrific in-line six-cylinder engine choices, as well as the surprisingly far-sighted option of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) from the get-go.

Yet, when launched internationally during 2022, the quality, packaging and performance were overshadowed by high prices, a jarring ride, odd handling and erratic transmission calibration, particularly in the aforementioned PHEV.

Now there’s been a wholesale re-think surrounding all of the CX-60’s objectionable systems, as well as a new, lower priced grade, among other updates.

Is it the SUV Mazda should have launched in the first place? Let’s find out.