Mazda CX-60 Takumi Plus Diesel AWD Review

One expects many things from a night on the King’s Road. Discreet wealth, theatrical entrances, perhaps the occasional supercar idling with all the subtlety of a champagne cork. What one does not expect is a diesel Mazda causing passers-by to pause, squint, and wonder if they have momentarily mistaken it for something wearing a prancing horse.

Chelsea, Confidence, and a Case of Mistaken Identity

I took the Mazda CX-60 3.3D Takumi Plus into London for an evening at The Sloane Club, partly for dinner, partly for curiosity, and entirely for mischief. Gliding along Sloane Street, bathed in that glorious Soul Red Crystal, it drew admiring glances with the sort of nonchalance usually reserved for significantly more expensive machinery.

More than one head turned. A few lingered. One could almost hear the internal monologue: “Surely not… is that…?”

With proportions that echo a certain Italian thoroughbred and detailing that balances aggression with elegance, the CX-60 carries itself like a leather-clad biker who has just stepped out of a Parisian atelier, boots polished to within an inch of their life. The French, after all, understand presentation. Les chaussures toujours impeccables.

Formidable First Impressions

Walk around the car and the details begin to seduce. The chain-link grille has presence without vulgarity. The LED lighting signatures are crisp and confident. Even the headlight washer nozzles feel like a small but deliberate nod to thoroughness.

The 20-inch black diamond cut alloys radiate outward like sculpted boomerangs, although I would have liked a touch more rim protection, particularly given London’s enthusiasm for kerbs. The boot, meanwhile, is vast, almost indecently so, comfortably outclassing certain Italian rivals that cost several multiples more.

Salon on Wheels, with a Hint of Kyoto

Open the door and the tone shifts from assertive to serene. The cabin is, quite simply, a revelation.

White Nappa leather seats, delicately stitched, sit alongside woven dashboard fabrics inspired by traditional Japanese techniques. There is maple wood trim, light, elegant, and refreshingly free of ostentation. It feels curated rather than assembled.

The panoramic sunroof floods the interior with light, enhancing the airy, almost architectural sense of space. The seats themselves, ventilated and electrically adjustable in every conceivable direction, offer both comfort and ceremony, even guiding you gracefully during entry and exit.

The steering wheel, wrapped in soft leather with crisp white stitching, feels substantial in the hands, while the gear selector retains a satisfyingly traditional mechanical logic. You move it with intent. It responds accordingly. Très bien.

Mazda has wisely resisted the industry’s obsession with burying everything in a touchscreen. Physical controls remain, tactile and intuitive, arranged across the tableau de bord with reassuring clarity. One presses, one turns, one adjusts. No theatrical swiping required.

I found myself genuinely admiring the interior. Not for its extravagance, but for its intelligence. It is beautifully judged, and more importantly, it feels expensive in a way that many supposedly premium cabins do not.

Haute Technologie, Sans Drama

Technology in the CX-60 is comprehensive, though mercifully not overwhelming. A crisp 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead, complemented by an equally large central display managed via Mazda’s rotary controller. A head-up display projects essential information directly onto the windscreen, which feels suitably futuristic without being intrusive.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect swiftly, while the wireless charging pad politely informs you, via a discreet red or green light, whether your phone is actually charging. It is a small detail, but one that avoids a great deal of silent irritation. C’est intelligent.

The 360-degree camera system is sharp and precise, with guiding lines that make manoeuvring almost embarrassingly easy, especially when paired with the car’s tight turning circle. Front and rear sensors, blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alerts, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems operate quietly in the background, offering reassurance without constant interference.

Adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and a superb 12-speaker Bose sound system elevate the experience further. The latter delivers a rich, immersive soundstage that makes even traffic on the A3 feel vaguely cinematic.

Not everything is flawless. The touchscreen can be a little temperamental, engaging when it pleases, which lends it a certain… personality. The adaptive cruise control is competent, though not quite class-leading. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise impressively cohesive technological offering.

And yes, the indicator ticks like a metronome. Musicians, rejoice.

Diesel, But Make It Exciting

Let us address the elephant in the showroom. It is a diesel.

And yet, this 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv inline-six produces 254 PS and a considerable 550 Nm of torque, delivered with a smoothness that borders on the indulgent. Paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear-biased all-wheel drive, it moves with surprising urgency.

In normal mode, the CX-60 is relaxed, almost languid, though it can feel a touch soft over uneven surfaces, with a hint of lateral movement that reminds you of its size. Engage Sport mode, however, and the transformation is immediate. Body control tightens, responses sharpen, and the car surges forward with genuine enthusiasm.

There is a moment, just a heartbeat, and then the torque arrives in full, propelling you forward with a satisfying, muscular shove. It feels quicker than the stated 0 to 62 mph time of 7.4 seconds, and overtaking becomes delightfully effortless.

The engine emits a subdued but pleasing growl, entirely at odds with the traditional diesel stereotype. Braking is equally impressive, firm, stable, and reassuringly composed even under sudden, heavy application.

The suspension has improved significantly over previous efforts, absorbing imperfections with grace, though it can still feel slightly buoyant on particularly poor surfaces. The gearbox, however, deserves particular praise. It shifts seamlessly, almost imperceptibly, maintaining composure whether one is cruising gently or accelerating with, shall we say, conviction.

Surrey, Sanity, and a Proper Road Test

Leaving London behind, I took the CX-60 into Surrey, exploring the roads around Timber Hill and Brentmoor Heath. It is here that the car’s breadth of ability becomes most apparent.

It cruises with refinement, tackles corners with confidence, and even ventures off-road with surprising competence. Hill descent control, intelligent traction systems, and that rear-biased AWD setup give it a reassuring versatility.

This is not merely a family SUV. It is a genuinely capable all-rounder, one that feels equally at home outside a Chelsea club or navigating a muddy track in the countryside.

Value, or Something Close to Sorcery

Here is the part that feels almost indecent. The CX-60 starts at just over £56,000, with this Takumi Plus example at £57,350.

For that, you receive an interior that rivals cars twice the price, performance that exceeds expectations, and a level of equipment that borders on excessive. Add a six-year, 100,000-mile warranty, and the proposition becomes even more compelling.

I found myself asking, repeatedly, how much this car costs. Each time, the answer felt faintly absurd.

Verdict, With a Raised Eyebrow

The Mazda CX-60 Takumi Plus is, quite frankly, ludicrously impressive.

It combines a genuinely luxurious interior with strong, engaging performance and a presence that punches far above its weight. It is comfortable, practical, and unexpectedly entertaining to drive. I might prefer it a fraction narrower on occasion, but that width translates into glorious interior space.

This is the first diesel I have ever seriously considered owning. It could quite happily serve as one’s only car, capable of everything from spirited driving to family duties to long-distance touring, all while looking rather more expensive than it has any right to.

Mazda, it seems, has quietly produced something rather special. Discreetly brilliant, confidently styled, and priced with almost reckless generosity.

Pas mal du tout.

FAQs

Is the Mazda CX-60 diesel actually quick?

Yes, surprisingly so. With 254 PS and 550 Nm of torque, it delivers strong acceleration and feels quicker than its official figures suggest, particularly in Sport mode.

How luxurious is the interior compared to rivals?

Exceptionally. The use of white Nappa leather, woven fabrics, and wood trim creates an ambience that comfortably rivals cars at significantly higher price points.

Is it good for everyday use?

Very much so. It balances comfort, practicality, and performance, making it ideal as an all-round family SUV with a premium feel.

How does the technology perform?

Overall, very well. The displays are clear, the camera systems are excellent, and connectivity is seamless, although the touchscreen can occasionally be inconsistent.

Is it good value for money?

Remarkably good. Given the level of luxury, performance, and equipment, it stands out as one of the best-value premium SUVs currently available.

Would you actually buy one?

Without hesitation. It is a rare combination of style, substance, and sensibility, with just enough flair to make every journey feel a little more special.

Vehicle warranty: 6 years or 100,000 miles
Starts at £56,350
Our model: £57,350

https://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/mazda-cx-60/?