Is it really that hard to believe that a Mazda can cost you R1 million? Cars these days, in general, are priced at crazy amounts, so if I am honest, this doesn’t surprise me at all. And after having driven Mazda’s top of the range CX-60 Takumi model, I can confidently say that it is actually priced rather well. Especially when you consider that Mazda has, in recent years, positioned itself as a more premium and upmarket brand.
Last year we saw the launch of the Mazda CX-60 , but it was only the two models that were available. Both housed 2.5-litre petrol engines under the bonnet, and while the Individual model came in at just under R780 000, the all-wheel drive Individual model kicked off at just under R845 000. This flagship model will cost you just over R1 million, so what do you get for it?
It looks as good as the standard model (it truly is a gorgeous-looking car…and I NEVER say this), but it just adds a few bits and bobs to set it apart, such as full body-coloured bumpers, black metallic 20-inch alloys, and a black grille. You can also enjoy black Nappa leather inside, as well as heated and ventilated seats, a 12-speaker Bose sound system and a 12-inch central display screen – which is not touch screen and probably never will be. This makes me so happy, I cannot even tell you. Instead you use the controls in the centre console. You will eventually be able to use it without having to look down at the buttons, much like one used to be able to do on a Blackberry phone. I miss those days. Not that you should ever have done so, but back then you could text while driving without ever looking at your phone (I obviously never ever did such an illegal thing).
It’s spacious and comfortable. The boot is a whopping 570-litres. This segment is tricky. Do you compare it based on price or size? This flagship model is a bit of an anomaly, which makes it even more appealing to me. But if you have to look at all angles, you would say the CX-60 rivals the Volkswagen Tiguan, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5 and even the Toyota RAV4. I love that this is a bit of a left-of-field choice.
But where this car shines is with its incredible powertrain. What a nice surprise it is to get into a turbodiesel of this size, it is quite rare these days. It boasts a 3.3-litre inline-six turbodiesel equipped with 48V mild-hybrid technology and puts out 187 kW and 550 Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is quite wonderful. The sound, the acceleration, the feel. It’s somewhat old school in feel and so tugs at the heartstrings a bit. It is comfortable and capable, especially with the different driving modes, which includes an off-road mode It has a fuel consumption claimed at 4.9l/100 km, but you might see closer to 7l/100 km, if not more if you’re pushing it.
This is the car for those who perhaps don’t have or want to spend the money on some of the German rivals, but still want that premium look and feel. It offers so much in terms of standard spec and features (oh did I mention that it has a five-star crash rating), but it also has the performance, capability and comfort to boot. This is certainly a car that should make it to your list if you are in the mid-size SUV market.
PRICING OF THE NEW MAZDA CX-60 TAKUMI
Mazda CX-60 3.3 DE Takumi AWD – R1 049 200
This includes a five-year/unlimited distance warranty and service plan.
