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It has meant that Mazda Australia has had to backtrack on its premium SUV strategy to a degree, with local boss Vinesh Bhindi admitting that buyers weren’t sold on spending more for the six-cylinder models with mild-hybrid tech and all-wheel drive, which asked a huge premium over four-cylinder SUVs like the CX-5. “When we talked to some of our customers who are very Mazda-focused buyers and repeat buyers, they were happy with the CX-5. But the inline six (cylinder engine) was a bridge too far, and they kept telling us, ‘well why can’t we have a more affordable CX-60?’. And the way to make it affordable was to bring this powertrain into the car,” said Mr Bhindi. How much more affordable? Well, compared to the G40e six-cylinder petrol mild-hybrid AWD models, the RWD G25 runs at a $6000 discount – meaning the three model range starts off at $44,240 plus on-roads (or $47,990 drive-away), and ranges up to the mid-50s drive-away for the range-topping Touring grade. MORE: Mazda’s new ute beats the system This new powertrain isn’t ‘new’, per se. The G25 has been used across models from the Mazda3 to the CX-9, and more than 400,000 Mazdas have been sold in Australia with this engine. But it’s the first time it’s been offered as a rear-wheel drive, with the four-cylinder 2.5-litre engine teamed up to the same controversial eight-speed single-clutch automatic gearbox in this application. The outputs are modest for the class - 138kW and 250Nm - and it is a naturally aspirated engine, meaning no turbo to help move things along. It can tow 750kg unbraked and 1800kg braked, which is less than the AWD models. There’s no hybrid electrification tech here either, which has helped the brand lower costs - but it means the four-cylinder CX-60 is the least efficient of the mix, with a claimed fuel use number of 7.5 litres per 100km. On test in and around Melbourne, I saw 8.9L/100km over a mix of different driving situations. MORE: Aussies don’t want these cars: Toyota It still has engine start-stop technology to cut fuel use at a standstill, and the engine itself is a decent fit. It’s certainly not blindingly fast, and it has a bit of a raspy note to it under hard acceleration. But it’s the transmission that makes it feel a little less enjoyable, as it offers up a few clumsy shifts and slow responses, both in traffic and when asking more of the powertrain up hills. In the plus column, the lighter weight of this version of the CX-60 (about 160kg less than six-cylinder petrols) means it has a bit more handling nous, and there’s the inherent balanced driving experience of the rear-wheel drive layout, too. The steering is hefty at times, but direct feeling, but as has been the case for all versions of the CX-60 I’ve tested, the ride isn’t as comfortable as it should be, with a heavy-footed feeling over lumpy sections of road, potholes, and sharp edges. But the rest of the equation stacks up pretty well. Choose the special-deal Pure G25 and you’ll feel a bit shortchanged, but shop up to the Evolve and you’ll see fake leather instead of cloth, a bigger 12.3-inch info screen for the driver (7.0-inch in the base), and the mid-range model has wireless phone charging and a power tailgate. Go for the top-spec Touring and you have heated front seats with electric adjustment, leather seat trim and a few other extras. All G25 models come with the same 18-inch alloy wheels and LED lighting, so they look pretty much identical inside, and there’s a heap of standard safety spec, including a surround-view camera system and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert. The space inside is pleasant, and the higher grades feel like money well spent with nice trim finishing and controls, though the fact the 10.25-inch media screen isn’t a touch panel is a frustration. Back seat space is fine for this class, but other midsize SUVs have more leg and head room. Boot space, too, is middling, at 477 litres - but at least you get 40:20:40 split-fold seats and a space-saver spare under the floor. The brand offers five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty cover, and there’s five years of roadside assistance included. Servicing is every 12 months/15,000km, and there’s a seven-year capped-price plan, averaging $469 per visit. It’s certainly more appealing now than ever before, and the G25 model is going to get more buyers through the door. But to be considered best in the segment, there’s still work to be done for the CX-60. Mazda CX-60 G25 PRICE: From $47,990 drive-away (up to about $57,000 drive-away) POWERTRAIN: 2.5-litre petrol 4-cyl, 8-speed auto, RWD OUTPUTS: 138kW/250Nm FUEL USE: 7.5 litres per 100km SPARE: Space-saver
