The brand is pushing up-market with the machine, which brings a choice of BMW-esque in-line six-cylinder power, or sophisticated plug-in hybrid technology.
It heralds a new era for the brand, as well as the potential for its price tag to approach $100,000 drive-away.
Mazda managing director Vinesh Bhindi said the CX-60 represented “the evolution of Mazda Premium – a high-quality concentration of design, driving dynamics, technology and comfort developed around our customers and what they want from a mid-sized SUV”.
While most Mazdas – other than the MX-5 – are predominantly front-wheel-drive, with four-cylinder engines running from left to right across the engine bay, the CX-60 has an entirely different structure with bigger engines placed in a front-to rear layout similar to a large BMW or Mercedes, along with rear-biased all-wheel-drive.
The new CX-60 is available with a choice of three model grades and three engines.
Entry-level cars priced from $59,800 plus on-roads are known as the CX-60 Evolve, delivering 18-inch wheels, faux leather trim, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate and 10.25-inch central touchscreen with wireless charging and smartphone mirroring.
Mid-grade GT models available from $67,800 plus on-roads add 20-inch wheels, heated leather seats, a wide-screen 12.3-inch digital dashboard with a matching central display, a panoramic sunroof, Bose stereo and more.
Range-topping Azami grade vehicles add ventilated seats, ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera, and more for $74,154 plus on-road costs.
Clever tech includes a driver personalisation system that uses facial recognition to adapt the car’s seating position, mirror settings and dash readout to the driver’s height. It also saves preferred settings for audio and climate control, adopting them when drivers takes their seats.
The standard motor is a 3.3-litre six-cylinder mild hybrid that serves up 209kW and 550Nm.
A 3.3-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo diesel option priced $2000 upstream uses 4.9L/100km to make 187kW and 550Nm – enough to reach 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The plug-in hybrid option merges a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 100kW electric motor and 17.8kWh lithium ion battery. The combination is good for 241kW and 500Nm of combined power, along with up to 76 kilometres of electric-only running, and an official fuel consumption figure of 2.1L/100km.
Mazda says it can reach 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, and that it costs $12,500 more than the standard petrol car, or $10,500 more than the diesel.
A range-topping Azami hybrid costs $87,252 plus on-roads, to which customers can option Takumi or SP packs for $2000 each, adding extras such as a suede dashboard, white leather and wood trim.
All three motors are paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Available to order now, the new CX-60 arrives locally in June 2023.