Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD 2025 Review

We’d forgive you for wondering what’s changed. However, the work has all been done under the skin.

All CX-60’s gain revised springs and dampers while deleting the rear anti-roll bar. There’s a recalibration of the eight-speed transmission, retuned stability control and a tweaking of the standard safety systems.

Yet, it isn’t just the hardware receiving attention. It seems the premium push might be over at Mazda with the cost of entry slashed across the board – as much as $10k in some instances. Not only that, a focus on lower-cost variant is clear with the addition of the $50,240 Pure grade and the mid-spec $58,240 Touring tested here.

A naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine joins the crew, too. And for those who don’t value engine performance, its $44,240 sticker should prove attractive.

Our G40e comes with the 3.3-litre straight-six turbo-petrol engine with mild 48-volt hybridisation (MHEV). However, the diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options remain, too, with Pure, Evolve, Touring, GT and Azami designations.

While the CX-60 had hoped to be a cut-price alternative to the likes of the BMW X3, it’s now more in-line with quality mainstream SUVs such as the excellent Honda CR-V and new Volkswagen Tiguan.

With a pivot back to a stronger value focus, the centre of the spec range provides the best balance of cost and features. To that end, the 2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD is a meaningful middle-ground addition.

Buyers aren’t hard done by with the 18-inch wheels, either, as they not only appear attractive, but offer dynamic benefits, too. Other than that, the Touring gains LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, as well as a powered tailgate, keyless entry with push-button start and exterior mirror memory.

Inside, the ‘Goldilocks’ CX-60 gains leather upholstery, powered front seats with heating (memory for driver), leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Premium paint is $995, while the Sonic Silver hue of our test car is no additional cost.   

Mazda covers the CX-60 with its five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance. Servicing intervals are 12 month or 15,000km (whichever comes first) and they aren’t cheap. According to the Mazda website, the first five dealership visits for the G40e Touring come to $3544 – or an average of $709 per visit.

The 2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD runs with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, which was awarded to the range in 2022. It also has eight airbags as well as dual ISOFIX points and a trio of top-tether anchorages in the back.

What used to comprise the Vision package is now standard for the Touring and includes tech like front cross traffic alert, cruising and traffic support (a slow-speed aid to adaptive cruise control) as well as a 360-degree camera with see-through mode.

Other active safety tech is highlighted by autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning with assistance, rear cross traffic alert, parking sensors, driver monitoring and traffic sign recognition.

On one hand, the 2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD ups the ante with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster but also falls short with the smaller 10.25-inch infotainment screen – which isn’t touch enabled.

Still, there’s all the usual suspects such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charge pad, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio, voice recognition, USB ports and an eight-speaker audio system.

While now seen as a somewhat analogue piece of the past, the circular control wheel works well with the Mazda Connect operating system, but less so when using smartphone mirroring. It’s where you feel the lack of a touch-sensitive screen the most.

The 3.3-litre straight-six turbo-petrol MHEV is one of the highlights of the 2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD package.

Backed up by the 48-volt mild-hybrid tech that boosts torque, it’s a smooth and powerful unit with 209kW and 450Nm. And despite weight 1930kg, the CX-60 doesn’t hang about, reaching 100km/h from rest in 6.9 seconds.

The e-Skyactiv engine backs that up on-road, too, feeling more than muscular for the CBD commute and the highway. It even sounds interesting – especially against its mostly four-cylinder competition.

Directing the grunt to the i-ACTIV on-demand all-wheel drive system is a maligned eight-speed, wet multi-plate clutch automatic transmission – more on that below.  

Going diesel comes at a $2000 premium, but it doesn’t really matter which six-cylinder engine you choose as both the petrol and diesel are winners.

In theory, the 2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD should reap the benefits of its MHEV application most when it comes to efficiency and emissions reductions.

The claimed combined consumption figure backs up that way of thinking, too, with the manufacturer stating the turbo-petrol straight-six engine sips - rather than slurps - fuel at 7.4L/100km. And it’s also the cheaper 91 RON variety for another bonus.

However, our real-world testing found you might need to fill the 58-litre tank more than planned as we couldn’t return any better than an average of 9.3L/100km. The route included conditions you’d encounter as an owner, with city, country and highway driving.

Ugh, we wish we could report a positive U-turn, but the ‘big’ medium SUV is still stuck somewhere in a three-point turn. However, it’d be incorrect to say the 2025 Mazda CX-6 G40e Touring AWD hasn’t improved at all – because it has in a few meaningful ways.

To further drill down on what’s changed, there are stiffer shock absorbers, softer rear springs and, somewhat controversially, the rear anti-roll bar has been removed. The front knuckle mounts have been relocated, the rear axle bushes have been altered and there are shorter bump stops for greater suspension travel.

But wait, there’s more. The hardware running the electronic nannies for the stability control and AWD has been revised and the electrically assisted steering has reduced vibrations thanks to an extra joint in the column.

So, what does all that mean? Well, the changes have ushered in a bit more compliance on poor surfaces and control through undulations – especially from the rear axle. The extra ride comfort is no doubt aided by the Touring’s smaller 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/60 tyres, too.

Yet, it still doesn’t quite hit the mark. While it now isn’t a deal breaker, there is still a firm edge to the ride quality over sharp bumps. The shock absorber tuning also hasn’t fully resolved the rebound issues from the rear, either. Although thankfully it no longer bucks like it used to and head toss from lateral movements has been noticeably reduced.

What hasn’t changed is the fact the CX-60 is far better on smooth tarmac. The rear-drive bias to the AWD system is appreciated for turn and the steering is freer to do more of the, erm, steering without having to worry as much about traction. While its weighting is heavy, the feedback is progressive and suitable for a family-friendly SUV.

Having that boosted six-cylinder engine up front is a drawcard, too. It makes the driving experience more effortless than four-cylinder-powered rivals that struggle to handle SUV weights. No such issues for the e-Skyactiv unit – even though it is still somewhat hamstrung by the gearbox…

At face value, the auto gearbox also provides a tangible uptick in how it behaves. Yet, the eight-speed unit remains a little dim-witted and clunky, especially at slow speeds. As the pace increases it performs a little better, but it can still thunk through ratio swaps.

This is one area Mazda could outsource given the gearbox is produced inhouse. For example, myriad manufacturers, including more fancied German marques, use the esteemed ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox to great effect – it’s something surely worth considering at Mazda’s Hiroshima HQ.

Just like the exterior styling, the cabin of the freshly minted 2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD carries on with the model range’s unchanged appearance.

And that aesthetic remains staider and more traditional as opposed to some more futuristic designs – even from European brands like BMW and its X3. Still, it has a touch of class and old-school ergonomics. Not to mention sound build quality.

On-road the CX-60 G40e is relatively quiet, with neither the big six-cylinder engine or tyre roar being overtly intrusive. Vision out is decent, with only rear three-quarter glances being slightly hindered by the C-pillars – but the 360-degree camera works well for parking.

Other than that, storage could be improved with a deeper centre-console bin (a downside to the drivetrain) and the action of the gear shifter can be annoying.

It’s classified as a medium SUV, yet its dimensions mean the CX-60 is teetering on the brink of large SUV status. Rear-seat head and legroom are decent for the class, while you can slide your feet under the front seats. Amenities include items like air vents and USB-C ports and Mazda also includes a 150W household plug.

Cargo capacity is good, rather than great, affording 477 litres of boot space that expands to 1726L with the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats stowed. That operation can be done via remote releases, too, while there’s a 12V socket in the boot as well as a space-save spare tyre underneath the floor.

This is the product the Japanese car-maker should have released to begin with in 2023. The contemporary example is a more cohesive package and there’s now a sharper value equation to boot.

There’s no false economy here. Mazda invested heavily on an upmarket push, novel powertrains and a new platform. But it’s now spending again to rework, reshape and hone that formula. And while another update hasn’t completely cured all ills, arguably one of the best outcomes is the 2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD.

It marries newfound value with luxe appeal and the e-Skyactiv petrol engine most of its competition can’t match. The CX-60 already sells well in the higher price bracket of the medium SUV segment, one where the Lexus NX is its strongest adversary, so the mechanical massaging can only embolden its appeal. 

So, while it isn’t the full metamorphosis we’d hoped for, Mazda’s refining process is slowly working towards a more positive outcome.

2025 Mazda CX-60 G40e Touring AWD at a glance:
Price: $58,240 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 3.3-litre straight-six turbo-petrol mild-hybrid
Output: 209kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 174g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au