Mazda CX-60 Plug-In Hybrid is targeted at German SUVs

Mazda has just unveiled its first-ever plug-in hybrid model which includes the latest Mazda i-Activ all-wheel drive (AWD) system which starts with the rear wheels. Mazda management looked at launching this new SUV in Europe first as it challenges the growing plug-in hybrid segment. A segment that is dominated by Audi, BMW, and also Volvo.

This CX-60 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the first Mazda model to arrive in the global market that combines a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Skyactiv petrol engine with an electric motor.

Mazda has revealed that this 2.5-liter combustion engine is good for 189 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 261 Nm of torque from 4,000 rpm. The battery-powered electric motor has been rated at 134 hp and 250 Nm. Combined, the e-Skyactiv CX-60 pumps out a respectable 500 Nm giving this SUV enough grunt to challenge the BMW X3 PHEV and also the Volvo XC60 PHEV.

Mazda also claims that this CX-60 will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds. Its top speed will be electronically capped at 200km/h when utilized as a PHEV and to 140 km/h with the petrol engine turned off.

Mazda also mentions that the lithium-ion battery pack has a 17.8-kWh capacity with enough range of up to 63 kilometers in the WLTP combined cycle which is slightly more than the BMW X3 PHEV and the Volvo XC60 T8.

So, how big or small is this new Mazda? Well, the CX-60 is 4,745 millimeters long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,670 mm tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2,870 mm.

Mazda CX-60 PHEV rivals?

BMW X3 PHEV

Meanwhile, the BMW X3 PHEV’s petrol engine has 252 hp and 350 Nm of torque and sends all of that to all four wheels, allowing it to complete the century sprint in just 6.1 seconds and head all the way up to 210 km/h which is slightly less impressive than the Mazda CX-60 PHEV.

The X3 PHEV is capable of all-electric driving, which it can do 50 km of when fully charged and in ideal conditions which is 13 kilometers less than the Mazda CX-60.

Volvo XC60 PHEV

With the Volvo XC60 there is a familiar 2.0L turbo and supercharged engine and electric motor with 407hp and 640Nm of torque leading to a 0-100km/h time of just 5.3 seconds. Despite this immense power, the XC60 Recharge T8 can still sip just 2.2L/100km and even be driven on pure electric power.

Charging takes place automatically through regenerative braking, but it can also be plugged in to charge, enabling up to 54 kilometers of electric driving which is 9 kilometers less than the Mazda. Size-wise the XC60 Volvo is 4,688mm long, 1,999mm wide while its height is 1,658mm high making it slightly smaller than this new Mazda.

Audi Q5 PHEV

The Audi Q5 TFSI e is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine coupled with an electric motor that sits between the engine and 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing a total combined system output of 362 hp and 500 Nm of torque.

The plug-in hybrid SUV sprints from 0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds. However, Audi sales in Malaysia have been very low in recent years and only a couple of units have been sold which puts this model out of the competition.

What about its selling price?

Mazda will sell the CX-60 in Germany in Prime, Exclusive, Homura, and Takumi trim levels, with pricing moving from Euro 47,390 to Euro 52,890 (RM220,000 to RM238,000). This means, its selling price in Malaysia could well be as high as RM290,000 when locally assembled.

The BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport is priced at RM356,800 in Malaysia and the Volvo XC60 T8 is priced at RM325,449.

Will Mazda in Malaysia consider this CX-60 PHEV for their showrooms? We do not think so as plug-in hybrids are already having plenty of reliability issues, with all brands and resale values falling faster than expected. So, it will be wise for Mazda to NOT launch this model in Malaysia.

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