2023 Mazda CX-60 comparison: Is petrol or diesel better?

While some brands are moving away from diesel power, Mazda has invested heavily in the development of both petrol and diesel inline-six engines for its premium products – led by the CX-60 on test here.

But which should you buy?

That’s what Paul and our video team set out to discover. Watch the video above to find out which take on the CX-60 formula is more appealing, and read on for all the key specifications of Mazda’s more premium new SUV.

How much?

On test we have the G40e Azami ($73,000), and the G50e Azami ($75,000) – prices exclude on-road costs.

That aligns them with the entry-level BMW X3 sDrive20i ($81,700), Audi Q5 35 TDI Dynamic Black ($71,250), and Volvo XC60 Plus B5 ($73,990).

2023 Mazda CX-60 pricing:

Mazda CX-60 EvolveG40e M Hybrid: $59,800D50e M Hybrid: $61,800P50e PHEV: $72,300Mazda CX-60 GT G40e M Hybrid: $67,800D50e M Hybrid: $69,800P50e PHEV: $80,300Mazda CX-60 AzamiG40e M Hybrid: $73,000D50e M Hybrid: $75,000P50e PHEV: $85,500

All prices are before on-road costs

What do you get?

CX-60 Evolve highlights:

18-inch alloy wheels, GreyAuto LED headlightsAuto high-beamRain-sensing wipersBody colour exterior mirrorsSide mirrors with:Power adjustmentAuto foldingHeatingAuto-dimmingHoneycomb grille designBlack wheel arches and lower claddingRemote operated power tailgate (open/close)G-Vectoring Control Plus10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system7.0-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (G40e, D50e)12.3-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (P50e)Head-up displayDAB+ digital radioSatellite navigation8-speaker sound systemWireless Apple CarPlay, Android AutoWireless phone chargerFront USB-C charging pointsRear console incl. USB-C, 150W AC outletsRear 1500W AC power outlet socket (PHEV)Keyless entry, push-button startDual-zone climate controlAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorElectric park brake with auto-holdOne-touch power windowsLeather steering wheelLeather shift knobBlack Maztex upholsteryManual front seat adjustment

CX-60 GT adds:

20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallicLED headlights with ‘dark signature’Rear combination lights incl. signature illuminationPower sliding panoramic sunroofGloss black exterior mirrors2-position memory, side mirrorsBody colour wheel arches, lower claddingGloss black honeycomb grilleExterior mirror position memoryHands-free remote operated power tailgate (open/close)12.3-inch TFT LCD digital instrument cluster12.3-inch infotainment system12-speaker Bose premium sound system incl. amplifierDriver monitor systemPersonalise systemElectric steering wheel adjustmentHeated steering wheelBlack leather upholstery10-way driver seat power adjustment with lumbar adjustment8-way front passenger seat power adjustment2-position driver memoryHeated front seatsHeated outer rear seatsSurround-view cameras

CX-60 Azami adds:

20-inch machined alloy wheelsAdaptive LED headlights with ‘bright signature’Body colour exterior mirrorsFront bumper with bar-type grilleCruising & Traffic SupportFront cross-traffic alertSurround-view cameras with see-through viewPersonalise system with ‘Easy Entry & Driving’LED ambient lightingFrameless interior mirrorBlack Nappa leather upholsteryVentilated front seatsLeather side door trim with courtesy lamp

Optional Equipment

Vision Technology Package: $2000 (Evolve, GT)

Surround-view camera with see-through view12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (G40e, D50e Evolve)Adaptive LED headlights (GT)Cruising & Traffic SupportDriver monitoringFront cross-traffic alert

Luxury Package: $4000 (Evolve)

Vision TechnologyExterior mirror memoryLeather upholstery, BlackHeated front seatsPower front seat adjustment

SPTakumi

SP Package: $2000 (Azami)

20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallicDark-coloured side signatureGloss black honeycomb-type grilleGloss black exterior mirrorsLED headlights with dark signatureSuede dashboard panelTan Nappa leather upholsteryTwo-tone steering wheel

Takumi Package: $2000 (Azami)

Bright decoration panelCloth dashboard panel with ‘Kakenui’ stitchingWhite Maple Wood console panelWhite Nappa leather upholstery

Are they safe?

The Mazda CX-60 wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on tests conducted by Euro NCAP in 2022.

It scored 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 77 per cent for safety assist.

Standard safety features include:

10 airbags incl. front-centre airbagAdaptive cruise controlAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Forward incl. Pedestrian, Cyclist detectionReverseJunction assist (Turn-across Traffic)Blind-spot monitoringDriver attention monitoringForward obstruction warningHigh Beam Control (auto high-beam)Lane-keep assistParking sensors front, rearRear cross-traffic alertSurround camera systemTraffic sign recognitionTyre pressure monitoringVehicle exit warning

CX-60 Azami adds:

Adaptive LED HeadlightsCruising & Traffic SupportAdaptive cruise + lane centringFront cross-traffic alert360-degree cameras incl. See Through View

The Azami’s additional safety equipment can be optioned in both the Evolve and GT grades through the Vision Technology Package.

What’s under the bonnet?

The G40e 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine produces 209kW of power and 450Nm of torque. Mazda claims models with this engine equipped can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds.

G40e Petrol

The D50e 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine produces 187kW and 500Nm of torque. Mazda claims models with this engine equipped can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.

Both of these 3.3-litre inline-six engines are mated to a 48V mild-hybrid system and have engine idle stop/start.

All engines are combined with a newly-developed eight-speed automatic transmission, with drive sent through a new rear-biased all-wheel drive system with Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing drive modes.

Claimed fuel economy in the diesel is 4.9 litres per 100km, the petrol uses a claimed 7.4 litres per 100km.

Cost of ownership

The 2023 Mazda CX-60 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, like every Mazda model offered locally.

Maintenance in the petrol is required every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres; the diesel has shorter intervals at 12 months or 10,000 kilometres.

Mazda CX-60 service pricing:

Engine Variant1st Service2nd Service3rd Service4th Service5th ServiceP40e 3.3L i6 MHEV$447$654$568$749$463D50e 3.3L i6 MHEV$478$643$975$643$478P50e 2.5L i4 PHEV$478$643$975$643$478

CarExpert’s Take

There’s plenty to like about both these cars, although both also have some flaws.

But the pick for now is the diesel, which blends plenty of punch with more impressive efficiency than its petrol sibling. You’ll have to watch the video at the top of this story for the full breakdown of why…

Would you have a petrol or diesel engine?

MORE: Everything Mazda CX-60