BMW X3, beware? Mazda CX-60 makes Philippine debut on June 2023

The Mazda CX-60 can be considered the enthusiast’s crossover, if ever there were one.

Much like its roadster sibling, the Mazda MX-5, the CX-60 is rear-wheel drive with the option of all-wheel drive in other markets like Australia, Japan and Europe.

But now, the CX-60 is finally coming to the Philippines, with Mazda Philippines officially announcing its local launch on June 2023.

Most powerful, non-racing Mazda

The CX-60 is the first model to use Mazda’s Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture platform that is also used on the CX-90 seven-seater.

Style-wise, the Mazda CX-60 departs less dramatically from its front-wheel-drive stablemates' "Kodo" design language.

Under the long hood is a turbocharged 3.3-liter, twin-cam, 24-valve inline-6 powerplant with mild-hybrid technology. The gasoline version pumps out 284 PS and 450 Nm of torque, while the diesel produces 254 PS and 550 Nm of torque. 

There’s also a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) CX-60 that uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine with an electric motor.

This PHEV’s combined output of 328 PS and 500 Nm of torque makes it the most powerful production Mazda ever made, beating out even the 280 PS of the venerable FD3S Mazda RX-7 twin-turbo.

All CX-60s use an 8-speed automatic gearbox. However, there is no official yet on which engines would be available in the Philippines.

Loaded with safety gear

The Mazda CX-60 has also been lauded for its state-of-the-art safety features, winning the 2022-2023 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Car Technology of the Year award.

It comes with an infrared camera that can see if the driver is dozing off. It also accurately detects sudden changes in the driver's physical condition based on changes in posture and head position. 

More than that, the CX-60 will come to a halt when it detects that the driver has lost consciousness. Its Driver Emergency Assist feature automatically stops the car and makes an emergency call.

The crossover also comes with Driving Position Support. The system determines the ideal seating position for the driver after he or she inputs his or her height on the vehicle's settings page. 

It likewise allows for easier ingress and egress for the driver as it moves the seat and steering wheel away as the driver enters or alights from the car.

Do you think the Mazda CX-60 can snag sales away from its rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz?

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