If you’ve ever driven the Mazda CX-5 and thought, “This is great, but I wish it was a bit bigger, a bit more premium, and a bit more practical,” then the Mazda CX-60 is essentially Mazda answering that exact brief.
Because that’s exactly what this car is. The CX-60 doesn’t try to reinvent the formula. Instead, it takes everything Malaysians already love about the CX-5 — design, driving feel, and interior quality — and stretches it into something more mature, more spacious, and more upmarket.
The moral of the story? This is a bigger, more practical CX-5 and for many buyers, that’s already a winning proposition.
Mazda’s design game remains strong here. The CX-60 carries the familiar Kodo language, but with more presence and proportion. It’s longer, wider, and sits with more authority on the road, giving it a properly premium stance without resorting to unnecessary aggression.
It’s clean, elegant, and quietly confident — very much in line with Mazda’s understated approach.
Step inside, and it’s clear Mazda is aiming higher. This isn’t just a mildly upgraded CX-5 cabin. Material quality is excellent, with soft-touch surfaces, detailed stitching, and a level of craftsmanship that genuinely feels premium for the price point.
It’s not flashy, not overloaded with gimmicks — just clean, well thought-out, and driver-focused.
Space is where the CX-60 really justifies its existence. Compared to the CX-5, there’s noticeably more rear legroom, better overall cabin space, and a larger, more usable boot. For families or anyone regularly carrying passengers, this is the upgrade that actually matters.
However, that added size isn’t without compromise — especially in a Malaysian context. Out on the road, the CX-60 feels composed and manageable. But when you’re navigating tight multi-storey car parks, older basement layouts, or narrow shopping mall ramps, it does feel quite large.
The longer bonnet and wider footprint mean you’ll need to be more aware of your surroundings compared to the easier-to-place CX-5. It’s not unwieldy, but it’s definitely something you’ll notice during daily use.
Under the hood, the CX-60 sold in Malaysia is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G engine producing 191 PS and 261 Nm of torque, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. On paper, those numbers are respectable, but not particularly exciting — and that sums up the driving experience quite well.
It’s smooth, linear, and predictable. Power delivery is clean, the gearbox behaves itself, and everything feels well-calibrated for daily driving. The CX-60 isn’t trying to be quick — it’s trying to be refined and to be fair, it succeeds.
The driving experience is stable, composed, and confidence-inspiring. Steering is nicely weighted, the chassis feels balanced, and body control is well managed. It corners with a level of assurance that reminds you this is still very much a Mazda at heart.
Compared to the CX-5, it feels more grown-up — more settled, more refined, and better suited for long-distance cruising. It’s just that you have to work it at low revs due to the lack of electrification or turbocharging.
Fuel consumption is rated at around 7.3 litres per 100 km, which is perfectly reasonable for a D-segment SUV of this size. It’s not hybrid-level efficient, but it’s not thirsty either — striking a fair middle ground for daily usability.
But let’s address the elephant in the room. As good as this naturally aspirated setup is, you can’t help but feel like the CX-60 is holding back. Because if you’ve experienced Mazda’s 2.5-litre turbo engine elsewhere, you’ll know exactly what’s missing.
This car has the size, the platform, and the premium positioning to handle more power. And while 191 PS gets the job done, it doesn’t quite deliver that effortless shove or excitement you’d expect from something positioned above the CX-5.
Give it that turbocharged punch, and suddenly this becomes something else entirely. “Ooh la laa” indeed.
Ride quality is well judged for Malaysian conditions. It’s firm enough to feel controlled, yet still compliant enough to deal with uneven roads without becoming uncomfortable. The balance between comfort and handling is one of the CX-60’s stronger points.
Pricing in Malaysia starts from just over RM200,000, placing the CX-60 in an interesting position. It’s more expensive than mainstream SUVs, but still significantly more accessible than traditional premium brands.
And when you factor in the build quality, driving dynamics, and overall refinement, it actually makes a strong case for itself.
So, is it worth stepping up from the CX-5? In many ways, yes.
You’re getting more space, more refinement, and a more premium overall experience — without losing the core DNA that made the CX-5 such a favourite in the first place. Just be prepared to adapt slightly to its larger footprint, especially in tighter urban environments.
At the end of the day, the Mazda CX-60 is a very easy car to like. It builds on the strengths of the CX-5 in all the right ways, delivering a more mature and versatile package for buyers who need that extra space.
It’s not perfect — mainly because you know there’s more potential waiting to be unlocked with a turbocharged engine — but it gets so many things right.
A bigger, more practical CX-5 that grows up in all the right ways. Just with a bit more presence than you might expect when it comes to squeezing into tight parking spots.
