This is it, the final instalment of our long-term test of the Mazda CX-60 D50e GT Vision. Yep, after three months and 2252km the Berry family is saying farewell to a family SUV which should be outstanding in every way… but isn’t.
First, though, this month we’ve covered 917km with almost half of that spent on motorways heading up and down the coast, and the other half on suburban duties including the daily school runs and grocery shopping trips.
Measuring diesel usage at the pump saw averaging 8.0L/100km which is close to the consumption from the previous two months but nowhere near the seemingly mythical 4.9L/100km Mazda’s specs sheet says we should see. Still, if this was a petrol-powered SUV and not diesel that figure would be close to 12L/100km.
So, what is it about the Mazda CX-60 D50e GT that we felt could have been outstanding but wasn’t? Well, the ride comfort needs improving. We found that on Sydney’s roads the CX-60’s suspension is too firm and jostling for a family SUV. Then there’s the rough and jerky feeling transmission which Mazda has admitted could be better.
Cabin technology also disappoints with a beautifully expansive media display that promises so much interaction only for it to be rendered almost useless.
That's because while the car is in motion the display's menu can only be accessed using a rotary dial which is so awkward and distracting it almost reduced me to tears.
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There’s more. The gear shifter which won’t shift until it's ready, the wireless phone charger that can’t keep hold of your phone and no climate control in the second row nor sunshades for the windows.
Really, at $70,550 we’d expect more - more comfort, more features and more things to work better. Servicing is also not cheap at about $3200 over five years.
It’s not all bad. The CX-60 D50e GT looks superb, and the interior design is excellent with a very impressive fit and finish. This SUV is also practical for a small family with good storage, room for people and a decent sized boot.
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The inline six-cylinder diesel engine also feels strong and offers good acceleration, but a discovery that's we've only made in the past month is that the braked towing capacity of our diesel D50e is 500kg less than the petrol variants at 2000kg.
Yes, the six-cylinder diesel variant can't tow as much the six-cylinder petrol versions nor the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid CX-60.
But there is the good fuel efficiency thanks to this being a diesel engine and also having a mild-hybrid system.
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This SUV is also loaded with advanced safety technology and scores an outstanding 93 per cent for child occupant protection.
Should have been outstanding, but wasn't.
Acquired: November 2023
Distance travelled this month: 917km
Odometer: 9136km
Average fuel consumption this month: 8L/100km (measured at the pump)
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| Engine Type | Diesel Turbo 6, 3.3L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Diesel/Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | 4.9L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $55,660 - $64,020 |
| Safety Rating |
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Verdict
In 2019 Mazda was making SUVs that were exceptional for quality, safety, looks and they way they drove. Many of the brand's rivals freely admitted they used vehicles such as the CX-5 and CX-9 to benchmark their own cars.
The CX-60 D50e GT is supposed to be an even more refined and luxurious experience than those SUVs that went before it and while in many ways it's excellent, unfortunately, almost outstanding isn’t anywhere near outstanding if the things that aren't good are so crucial to functionality and the overall experience.
Perhaps the updated version of the CX-60 will be outstanding. At least they now know what to fix.
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