2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring review

7NEWS

28-05-2025

As far as automotive facelifts go, this is a big one.
The Mazda CX-60 mid-size SUV arrived Down Under in 2023 with the weight of expectation on its shoulders, and that weight was compounded by a high sticker price.
Ultimately, while the new model impressed with premium interior finishes and punchy engine options, it was let down by baffling suspension tuning and low-speed transmission quibbles.
Subsequently, Mazda offered a fix that arrived in March last year, when Mazda Australia gave owners the option to have revised rear shock absorbers installed free of charge.
But it still wasn't enough. Complaints of discomfort persisted, and the reputation of this shiny new SUV continued to suffer as a result.
That brings us to this, Mazda's third bite at the cherry. Heavily updated for 2025, the CX-60 still features double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, but it now has softer rear springs, increased rear rebound damping, and firmer front compression damping, aimed at smoothing its ride.
Additionally, the car's power steering, all-wheel drive, and stability systems have been recalibrated. Mazda has also addressed complaints about the CX-60's eight-speed automatic transmission.
Two new trim grades have joined the range – Pure and Touring. The Pure is the new base model, while our Touring tester slots between the Evolve and GT.
In another win for consumers, Mazda's Vision Technology Package is now standard on the Evolve and variants above. It was previously an option on all but the Azami, and brings various tech and safety enhancements like a larger instrument display and additional driver aids.
So, is the CX-60 finally the car it should've been at launch? Or is it a case of third time, not so lucky.
We put a mid-spec, turbo-petrol G40e Touring through a week of rigorous testing to find out.
How much does the Mazda CX-60 cost?
Pricing is down right across the board, while our G40e Touring tester sits in the lower middle of the newly expanded range.
To see how the Mazda CX-60 stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What is the Mazda CX-60 like on the inside?
As the specifications sheet suggests, the new Touring trim grade is geared towards comfort for front seat occupants.
Bridging the gap between the Evolve and GT trim levels, the Touring variants brings luxuries including leather upholstery, heated front seats and power adjustment at a respectable price point – $58,240 before on-road costs in this case.
That's $10,000 less than you would've paid last year for a CX-60 with the aforementioned features, which demonstrates Mazda's shift towards a value focus for the 2025 facelift.
And the combination of a range restructure and generous discounting sees this G40e Touring present as a premium option among the mainstream mid-size SUVs.
While the front seats are a bit firm for my liking, heating and power adjustability are welcome inclusions.
Mazda offers a whopping seven different trim options for the CX-60, but the Touring interior is among the least inspiring. It's a sea of black leather and other soft-touch materials, broken up by some brown stitching and silver accents.
The colour scheme may leave a little to be desired, but at least the cabin feels premium – there's ample padding where you rest your elbows, and no unwelcome creaks or rattles.
Mazda has thrown a raft of upgrades at the CX-60 for this facelift, but the technology suite remains relatively untouched. As one might expect, you get the smaller 10.25-inch infotainment system in this new Touring model, but Mazda's pursuit to widen the CX-60's appeal sees all variants from Evolve up gain the previously optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
It's significantly larger than the 7-inch item found in pre-update examples, and makes the most of its added size sporting crisp graphics and several elegant layouts. All information is displayed in a clear manner regardless of cluster layout, and you can easily customise the readouts shown.
The infotainment screen isn't quite as intuitive, an issue that stretches back years. It sits too far back in the dash, making it hard to reach while driving.
That's seemingly how Mazda intended it, as you can only use the touch functionality of the screen when smartphone mirroring is active.
Most functions still require use of a chunky rotary controller and physical buttons, which undoubtedly suits tech-averse buyers, and the infotainment menus are organised in a simple list layout.
The setup may seem quite old school, but the graphics and processing power remain competitive and we didn't experience any undesirable glitches over the course of our test.
Similarly, the physical climate controls are familiar and functional, without detracting too much from the cabin design.
In addition to the pair of screens in the dash, the Touring features a large head-up display that gives the driver a clear view of their speed, the speed limit, and cruise control settings.
Storage up front is adequate, if not spectacular.
The split opening centre console is clever but lacking for space, although it does house a pair of USB-C outlets. Additional charging options include a wireless pad and 12V socket, both located at the base of the centre stack.
Elsewhere you get bog standard door bins sculpted to swallow a large drink bottle, central cupholders, a sunglasses holder, coin tray, and a roomy glovebox. Overall, there are enough cubbies to avoid clutter.
For a mid-size SUV, the second row is also reasonably accomodating. Ingress and egress are made easy by rear doors that open to near-enough 90 degrees, so nan and pop will have no issues getting in and out.
There's just enough room for taller adults to occupy the outboard seats, and the seats themselves are supportive over long journeys.
Anyone taller than six-three may struggle for headroom, but expecting a vehicle in this segment to regularly ferry around the local basketball team is asking for trouble.
Once comfortably seated, it quickly becomes apparent that the second row isn't lacking for amenities, either.
With a pair of USB-C outlets, dual air vents, deep map pockets, ample drink storage, and a proper 220V plug, the CX-60 meets just about all the demands of the modern passenger princess. Step up to the GT and you even get heated outboard seats.
The promise of practicality is still betrayed by the boot in the CX-60, which is undersized compared to rivals.
Mazda quotes 477 litres of cargo capacity, well shy of the 600L that some competitors boast. With that said, the CX-60 Touring makes up for a lack of space with handy features like a powered tailgate and a 12V socket to keep your appliances running.
The boot area is also relatively user-friendly, as there's no load lip and the rear bench folds flat. As proof of that point, I was able to load three large kitchen stools without hassle.
Parents will take comfort from the fact that the CX-60 is equipped with all the requisite top tether and ISOFIX points needed to safely secure a set of child seats.
To see how the Mazda CX-60 stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What's under the bonnet?
Mazda's three-engine lineup for the CX-60 is unchanged for 2025. On test here is the cheapest of the bunch – a 3.3-litre turbo-petrol inline-six with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance.
To see how the Mazda CX-60 stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
How does the Mazda CX-60 drive?
Let's start by answering the question on everyone's lips – has Mazda fixed the uncomfortable ride that has plagued this model since launch?
Now, it's still nowhere near perfect, but the CX-60 is far more settled than before. We had the opportunity to drive both pre-facelift and facelift examples back to back at Victoria's Lang Lang Proving Ground, and the differences between the two across vibration, gravel, and bump testing were stark.
To begin with, the retuned CX-60 does a far better job of shielding occupants from vibrations generated by uneven surfaces. Ruts in the road are heard but not felt, and there's less vibration through the steering wheel than before.
The cabin is quieter too, with added insulation to dull outside noise.
In contrast to the unbalanced suspension characteristics of the pre-facelift CX-60, updated versions also feel more composed. Gravel roads, moguls and other imperfect surfaces still expose the stiffness inherent to the CX-60, but the front and rear suspension now work in tandem to limit discomfort.
That's a far cry from the the old car, which was overdamped in the front and underdamped at the rear, resulting in harsh initial impacts and a bouncy back end. Instead of bucking like an angry bull in response to undulations and urban speed bumps, the CX-60 now recovers far quicker, which makes for a more relaxing ride.
The improvement is felt by both the driver and second row passengers, who benefit most from firmer rear suspension tuning.
Attempts to mellow the harshness of the original CX-60 have certainly improved its liveability markedly, but it's still one of the stiffer vehicles in its class.
The upshot of that is that the CX-60 remains engaging to drive for a family hauler. There's some weight in the steering, and a sense of stability through high speed corners that you don't feel in other two-tonne SUVs.
Straight sections of tarmac bring the best out of the beefy turbocharged inline-six under the bonnet, which is an absolute powerhouse. Mazda claims that the G40e can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds and I don't doubt that – once rolling the CX-60 pulls strongly through the mid-range and all the way to redline, if you're so inclined.
In a world of tiny turbo four-pots, the 3.3-litre donk in this CX-60 is refreshingly muscular, although it still deserves a better transmission.
Mazda promised to address complaints of transmission jerkiness for this major update, and while changes have been made, the same issues persist to a lesser extent.
The eight-speed automatic still loathes the stop/start grind of heavy traffic, forcing the driver to be measured in their throttle inputs. Mazda's automatic stop-start function doesn't help the cause, instead adding to the difficulty of smooth launches from standstill.
These issues evaporate once you shift beyond third gear. Indeed, the CX-60 performs best on the highway or a forgiving country road.
It's in these situations that you can take advantage of its pulling power, all-wheel drive grip, and intuitive suite of driver aids.
The Vision Technology Package is now standard for all variants bar the base Pure, and this Touring certainly felt well equipped to handle long stints on the highway.
You can rely on adaptive cruise control to maintain a consistent speed and safe following distance, while the active lane centring function provides a semi-autonomous driving experience. Despite the plethora of safety features on hand, annoying beeps and bongs rarely disturb the peace.
If your journey takes you off the beaten track, the CX-60 offers an off-road drive mode and hill descent control – both great for camping trips in remote areas.
In close quarters, Touring buyers benefit from a high-resolution surround-view camera, reversing camera, and full perimeter sensors.
To see how the Mazda CX-60 stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
There are now five variants to the CX-60 range with the addition of Pure and Touring trim levels.
2025 Mazda CX-60 Pure equipment highlights:
18-inch grey metallic alloy wheels
Automatic LED headlights
Auto high-beam
Rain-sensing wipers
Body colour exterior mirrors
Side mirrors with:
Black wheel arches and lower cladding
10.25-inch infotainment system
7.0-inch instrument cluster screen (six-cylinder)
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (PHEV)
Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Satellite navigation
Rear console with USB-C and 150W AC outlet
Rear 1500W AC power outlet socket (PHEV)
Front USB-C charging points
DAB+ digital radio
8-speaker sound system
Black cloth upholstery
8-way manual driver's seat adjustment
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Leather-wrapped shifter
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Dual-zone climate control
Keyless entry and start
Electric park brake with auto-hold
CX-60 Evolve adds:
Remote-operated power tailgate (open/close)
G-Vectoring Control Plus
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Head-up display
Wireless phone charger
Black Maztex leatherette upholstery
CX-60 Touring adds:
Exterior mirror position memory
Black leather upholstery
Heated front seats
10-way driver seat power adjustment with lumbar adjustment
Eight-way front passenger seat power adjustment
Two-position driver seat memory
CX-60 GT adds:
20-inch black metallic alloy wheels
LED headlights with 'dark signature'
Adaptive LED headlights
Rear combination lights with signature illumination
Power sliding panoramic sunroof
Gloss black exterior mirrors
Two-position side mirror memory
Body-colour wheel arches and lower cladding
Gloss black honeycomb grille
12.3-inch infotainment system
12-speaker Bose premium sound system with amplifier
Personalise system (auto restoration of settings)
Electric steering wheel adjustment
Heated steering wheel
Heated outboard rear seats
CX-60 Azami adds:
20-inch black metallic and machined alloy wheels
Adaptive LED headlights with 'bright signature'
Body colour exterior mirrors
Front bumper with bar-type grille
Personalise system with 'East Entry & Driving' position guide
LED ambient lighting
Frameless interior mirror
Black Nappa leather upholstery
Ventilated front seats
Leather side door trim with courtesy lamp
To see how the Mazda CX-60 stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
Is the Mazda CX-60 safe?
The Mazda CX-60 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2022.
Standard safety equipment includes:
Front, side, curtain, far-side, and knee airbags
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
Forward obstruction warning
Blind-spot monitoring
Vehicle exit warning
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane-keep assist
Adaptive cruise control
Driver attention monitoring
Surround-view camera
Reversing camera
Front and rear parking sensors
Traffic sign recognition
Tyre pressure monitoring
Evolve adds:
Surround-view monitor with see-through view
Driver monitoring
Cruising and traffic support
Front cross-traffic alert
To see how the Mazda CX-60 stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Mazda CX-60 cost to run?
The Mazda CX-60 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance. Mazda offers seven years of capped-price servicing.
To see how the Mazda CX-60 stacks up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert's Take on the Mazda CX-60
Mazda has invested heavily in this mid-cycle update for the CX-60, and that time and money hasn't gone to waste.
The CX-60 is now more comfortable, more refined, smoother around town, and more affordable – all improvements that make it a more appealing option in the brimming mid-size SUV market.
What's more, our G40e Touring could be the pick of the bunch. It feels premium for the sub-$60k asking price, and that turbo inline-six engine is a peach.
There are still a few reasons to look elsewhere, though. Growing families may be compelled to buy something with a bigger boot, and expensive servicing is tough to swallow during a cost of living crisis.
Nevertheless, the CX-60 is no longer a hard pass, and well worth considering as an almost-fancy alternative to segment staples.
Interested in buying a Mazda CX-60? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here
Pros
Inline-six packs a punch
Priced right this time
Improved ride comfort
Cons