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Mazda
CX-60
KH·
2023-2026
suv-soft
Caution
Price (AUD)
$45k-$85k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Rear-biased on-demand AWD (i-Activ AWD) - standard on all Australian variants
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan (Hofu Plant No. 2)
Overview
The CX-60 is the first of Mazda's 'Large Product' range - a longitudinal, rear-drive-based monocoque platform pitched as a near-premium step above the CX-5. In Australia it launched in 2023 in three powertrains, all using an in-house 8-speed automatic that is NOT a conventional torque-converter auto: it is a multi-plate wet-clutch unit (closer to a single-clutch automated design), which is the root of the car's biggest complaint - clunky, jerky, hesitant low-speed shifts and shift shock. The two flagship engines are brand-new inline-six mild hybrids (48V/0.33kWh M Hybrid Boost): the G40e 3.3 turbo-petrol six (209kW/450Nm) and the D50e 3.3 turbo-diesel six (187kW/550Nm), both rear-biased i-Activ AWD. The third is the P50e plug-in hybrid, a 2.5 petrol four (PY-VPS) plus a 100kW e-motor and 17.8kWh battery for ~60km WLTP electric range and 241kW/500Nm combined. The CX-60 was widely criticised at launch for a firm, busy ride and the jittery driveline; Mazda issued a major suspension and software recalibration (softer rear springs, revised damping, retuned steering/AWD and transmission control) for MY2025, which markedly improved both. It has also been subject to several Australian recalls - a diesel TCM clutch-disengagement fault, a mild-hybrid i-stop restart/safety-systems fault, a PHEV fail-safe loss-of-motive-power campaign, and a PHEV high-voltage battery cooling fault. These engines are too new for a long high-km reliability record, so the buyer caveats here are about the driveline behaviour, recall completion and the unproven longevity of the new six-cylinder mild hybrids and the multi-clutch auto - hence the cautious tier. Built in Japan, rated to tow 2500kg braked.
Engines & variants
3.3L G40e turbo-petrol inline-six (mild hybrid)
Engine
3.3L e-Skyactiv-G turbocharged direct-injection inline-six petrol with 48V M Hybrid Boost mild-hybrid system
Config
I6 turbo (mild hybrid)
Displacement
3283cc
Power
209kW @ 5000-6000rpm
Torque
450Nm @ 2000-3500rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-biased on-demand AWD (i-Activ)
Economy
7.4-7.5 L/100km combined (real-world ~9-10)
Tow (braked)
2500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8-speed multi-clutch automatic (Skyactiv-Drive, no torque converter)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Smooth, strong and characterful inline-six - 209kW/450Nm, 0-100 in ~6.9s
- 48V mild hybrid trims fuel use and smooths stop/start
- Timing chain, no DPF, no plug to manage - simplest of the three to live with
- Rear-biased AWD gives genuinely good handling balance
Cons
- Multi-clutch 8-speed auto is jerky/clunky at low speed, especially pre-MY2025
- Firm, busy ride on early (2023-2024) cars before the suspension recalibration
- Brand-new engine and gearbox with no long-term high-km track record
- Thirstier in the real world than the modest claimed figure suggests
Known problems
medium
Jerky / clunky low-speed shifts (multi-clutch 8-speed auto)
The in-house wet multi-clutch 8-speed (no torque converter) shunts, hesitates and delivers shift shock at low speed and during creep, parking and tip-in - the single most-reported CX-60 complaint. It is driveline behaviour rather than a failure, but it can feel like a fault to buyers.
Fix: Apply Mazda's TCM/PCM/VCM software updates (customer-satisfaction campaigns) and the MY2025 transmission recalibration; the gearbox also 'learns' and improves over time. Test-drive at low speed before buying.
high
Mild-hybrid i-stop restart / safety-systems fault (recall)
A 2024 Australian recall on petrol/diesel mild-hybrid CX-60s: the engine may fail to automatically restart after idle-stop (i-stop), with multiple warning messages, the engine warning light, and seat-belt warning and 360-degree camera functions potentially affected.
Fix: Confirm the recall (software reprogramming) has been completed via the VIN; have any uncompleted recall actioned by Mazda.
medium
Firm, busy ride (pre-MY2025 suspension tune)
Launch cars were widely criticised for a firm, jittery ride that crashed over small bumps - dampers too sensitive on Australian surfaces. Mazda responded with softer rear springs, revised front/rear damping and retuned steering/AWD/stability for MY2025.
Fix: Prefer a MY2025 car, or have the updated suspension calibration/components fitted; check whether the revised tune was applied.
3.3L D50e turbo-diesel inline-six (mild hybrid)
Engine
3.3L e-Skyactiv-D turbocharged common-rail inline-six diesel with DPF and 48V M Hybrid Boost mild-hybrid system
Config
I6 turbo diesel (mild hybrid)
Displacement
3283cc
Power
187kW @ 3750rpm
Torque
550Nm @ 1500-2400rpm
Drivetrain
Rear-biased on-demand AWD (i-Activ)
Economy
4.9-5.0 L/100km combined (real-world ~6-7)
Tow (braked)
2500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8-speed multi-clutch automatic (Skyactiv-Drive, no torque converter)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Exceptionally economical for the size and pace - genuine mid-5s L/100km, long range
- Big 550Nm torque makes it a relaxed tourer and 2500kg tow vehicle
- Smooth, modern inline-six with 48V assist; timing chain
- Diesel-six refinement is a class highlight
Cons
- Same jerky/clunky multi-clutch 8-speed auto behaviour as the petrol
- DPF/EGR risk on short-trip urban use, common to all modern diesels
- Subject to a transmission-clutch recall affecting deceleration
- New engine and gearbox with no long-term high-km record
Known problems
high
Transmission clutch disengagement on braking (recall)
An Australian recall on diesel CX-60/CX-90: a transmission control module software issue means that if the brake is pressed firmly to stop, the clutch between engine and electric motor may remain disengaged during deceleration, affecting drive/engine braking and restart behaviour.
Fix: Confirm the TCM recall (software update) is complete on the VIN; have Mazda action it if outstanding.
medium
Jerky / clunky low-speed shifts (multi-clutch 8-speed auto)
Shares the wet multi-clutch 8-speed with the rest of the range; shunting, hesitation and shift shock at low speed are common, especially on pre-MY2025 cars before the control recalibration.
Fix: Apply the TCM/PCM/VCM software campaigns and MY2025 recalibration; the unit improves with adaptation. Drive it at low speed before purchase.
medium
DPF / EGR soot fouling on short-trip use
Like all modern common-rail diesels with a DPF, short urban trips that never complete a regeneration lead to DPF blockage, EGR/intake soot, forced regens and potential limp mode. Too new to be widespread but the standard diesel caveat applies.
Fix: Do regular highway runs so the DPF can regen; service on time with correct low-ash oil; avoid the diesel if you only do short urban trips.
2.5L P50e plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Engine
2.5L Skyactiv-G direct-injection petrol I4 plus 100kW electric motor and 17.8kWh lithium-ion drive battery (plug-in hybrid)
Config
I4 NA + electric motor (PHEV)
Displacement
2488cc
Power
241kW combined (petrol 141kW + 100kW e-motor)
Torque
500Nm combined
Drivetrain
Rear-biased on-demand AWD (i-Activ)
Economy
2.1 L/100km combined (ADR, charge-sustaining ~7-8); ~60km WLTP EV range
Tow (braked)
2500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
8-speed multi-clutch automatic (Skyactiv-Drive, no torque converter)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Timing chain (no scheduled belt replacement)
Pros
- Quickest CX-60 - 241kW/500Nm, 0-100 in ~5.8s
- ~60km WLTP electric range covers most commutes with no fuel use
- Proven Skyactiv-G 2.5 four as the combustion half
- Strong AWD traction and 2500kg towing for a PHEV
Cons
- Same jerky multi-clutch 8-speed plus added clunk as the petrol engine wakes
- Subject to two PHEV recalls (loss of motive power, battery cooling)
- Heaviest variant; charge-sustaining economy is ordinary once the battery is flat
- Long-term drive-battery degradation unknown on this new platform
Known problems
high
Fail-safe drive mode / loss of motive power (recall)
A 2023 Australian recall (campaign R202302) on PHEV CX-60s: a programming issue could unintentionally activate the fail-safe driving mode, resulting in a loss of motive power while driving.
Fix: Confirm the PHEV recall (software reprogramming) is complete on the VIN; have Mazda action it if outstanding.
high
High-voltage battery cooling fault (recall)
A 2024 Australian recall on PHEV CX-60s: the high-voltage battery cooling system may not operate as intended, and EV drive mode may become unavailable as a result.
Fix: Confirm the battery-cooling recall is complete; have any cooling-system rectification carried out by Mazda.
medium
Driveline clunk on engine wake-up plus low-speed shift shock
Owners report a clunky feeling when the petrol engine cuts in and during some gear changes, on top of the range-wide multi-clutch 8-speed jerkiness. Normal mode behaves better than constantly toggling EV/Sport, and it improves as the car adapts.
Fix: Apply the TCM/PCM/VCM software campaigns; favour Normal mode; test at low speed and through EV-to-engine transitions before buying.
Common problems (all variants)
medium
Clunky multi-clutch 8-speed automatic (range-wide trait)
All CX-60s use an in-house wet multi-clutch 8-speed (not a torque-converter auto), which shunts, hesitates and delivers shift shock at low speed, during creep and parking, and on quick changes of throttle. It is the defining CX-60 complaint and the root of much of the early bad press. Mazda treats most cases as customer-satisfaction software campaigns rather than warranty repairs.
Fix: Ensure the TCM/PCM/VCM software updates and MY2025 recalibration are applied; the transmission also adapts and smooths over time. Test-drive extensively at low speed before purchase.
medium
Firm, busy ride (pre-MY2025) and suspension recalibration
Launch cars were criticised for an overly firm, jittery ride that reacted harshly to small bumps. For MY2025 Mazda fitted softer rear springs and revised damping (firmer front compression, more rear rebound) and retuned the steering, AWD and stability systems to improve comfort and composure.
Fix: Prefer a MY2025-onwards car, or have the revised suspension tune/components fitted; verify whether the update was applied to an earlier car.
high
Multiple software recalls and customer-satisfaction campaigns
The CX-60 and its CX-90 sibling have been subject to several Australian recalls and campaigns since launch: a diesel TCM clutch-disengagement fault, a mild-hybrid i-stop restart and safety-systems fault, a PHEV fail-safe loss-of-power campaign, and a PHEV high-voltage battery cooling fault.
Fix: Run the VIN through Mazda Australia / Product Safety recall checks and confirm every outstanding recall and software campaign has been completed before buying.
medium
Unproven long-term reliability (new platform and powertrains)
The Large Product platform, the inline-six mild-hybrid engines, the PHEV system and the multi-clutch 8-speed are all new and have no long high-km track record in Australia. Early life has been dominated by driveline refinement and recall issues rather than catastrophic failures.
Fix: Buy within manufacturer warranty, insist on complete recall/campaign history and dealer service records, and budget conservatively given the unknowns.
low
Cabin road / tyre noise and tight rear packaging
Reviewers noted excess tyre and transmission noise at launch and the rear-drive-biased packaging gives a tighter back seat and a high transmission tunnel for the class. Not faults, but known traits worth checking against family needs.
Fix: Quieter tyres help road noise; assess rear-seat space for your needs on inspection.