SIX pistols: Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi impresses

The Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi isn’t exactly a brand-new car on the South African market. We drove one just over a year ago and were duly impressed after a long, loping weekend adventure. Now, retailing for R1 085 100, a box-fresh new one arrived for evaluation. But is this six-cylinder family SUV still worth seven-digit money?

You can get more affordable petrol versions, but those in the know are unanimous in saying the Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi is the one to go for. Firstly, there’s the brand’s ‘Kodo’ design language. Genuinely, this is an attractive family SUV when seen in the metal. Cover up the badges and it could pass for a Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Maserati or Aston Martin even. And yet, because it’s a Mazda, it will never give you a day’s trouble.

MAZDA CX-60 3.3D AWD TAKUMI

And when I say box-fresh, we mean absolutely brand new. With little more than run-in mileage on the clock, this Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi has that full-on new car smell and everything. As mentioned, more affordable derivatives are available, but the Takumi trim adds 20-inch machined alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and a lovely panoramic sunroof. Yes to all of those.

However, beneath the bonnet is where the Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi sets itself apart. Because there is a silky-smooth 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder turbodiesel engine. We can’t remember when we last evaluated something with anything greater than 2.0 litres displacement, never mind a 3.0 litre or more. Plus, there’s the requisite 48V mild-hybrid wizardry, which regenerates energy on the move and gives it i-Stop stop/start and coasting mode.

SMOOTH INTERIOR MOVES

As before, climb inside and you’re greeted by a solid if slightly austere Japanese interior. As someone familiar with the great CX-5 and other classing-leading Japanese cars, it’s ergonomically sound and everything falls easily to hand. There’s no touchscreen for example, everything is driven through an old-school rotary dial Sure, new-money buyers might prefer tech-heavy Chinese alternatives. But it all works perfectly well once you’re acclimatised.

Plus, Japanese craftsmanship and fit and finish are top notch. There’s a lovely swathe of soft leather stretched across the dashboard, immediately showing its premium pretensions. And despite being fresh off the factory floor, there’s not a squeak or a rattle anywhere. In fact, the Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi is almost eerily quiet. And buyers will make full use of the 477-litre luggage volume and 1 148-litre utility space with the rear seats folded flat.

SIX-CYLINDER JUGGERNAUT

On the move at speed, due to its 187 kW and 550 Nm turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, it has an uncanny ‘BMWness’ to how it goes down a road. Can anyone confirm if Mazda’s current crop of engineers were trained in Bavaria? Its engine purrs like a contented cat when you’re cruising. And it snarls like a tiger when you bury your foot and go for the overtake. The claimed zero to 100 km/h sprint time is in the 7.3-second range. And the performance is so convincing, we have no reason to doubt that.

However, it is tractability between 80 km/h and 120 km/h that is simply exemplary. A blink of an eye and you’re there, honestly. The 48V mild-hybrid i-Stop disengages the engine not just at a stop but subtly on the move, too. The chassis is excellent, the steering feel direct and the ride quality, while firm, finds an excellent balance between all scenarios. Even the drive modes are kept simple. No Eco what-what. Just Sport, Normal and Off-Road, that’s it …

THE VERDICT: MAZDA CX-60 3.3D AWD TAKUMI

At the end of the day, there’s something pleasingly familiar about the Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi. Buyers of family SUVs will love how accomplished and non-gimmicky it is. Nothing feels out of place or jarring. Life is complicated enough as it is. That’s certainly what we revere about it. Then you factor in its comfort, efficiency and luxury. As mentioned, any number of premium brands could wish to build a family SUV as well as the CX-60. Take one for a test drive and you will see it is a genuinely premium experience that stands toe-to-toe with any luxury-brand offering. And you won’t have to win the PowerBall to be able to afford for it …

MAZDA CX-60 3.3D AWD TAKUMI FIGURES

• Price: R1 085 100
• Engine: 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder (+MHEV48)
• Power/Torque: 187 kW and 550 Nm
• Fuel consumption: 4.9 l/100 km (claimed) and 6.5 l/100 km (tested)
• Performance: 0-100 km/h in 7.3 sec (claimed) and top speed 219 km/h