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Mazda’s all-new CX-60 mid-size SUV could be priced just above a flagship version of the enduring CX-5 as a larger and more tech-focused alternative.
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The new 2023 Mazda CX-60 mid-size SUV looks set to cost in excess of $50,000 when it arrives in Australia in late 2022, overlapping with the current CX-5, the company has hinted.
Speaking to Drive at the international launch of the new CX-60, Mazda Australia chief executive Vinesh Bhindi suggested pricing of the new model could some pricing overlap with the smaller, front- or all-wheel-drive CX-5 mid-size SUV.
This could point to a starting price starting between $50,000 and $55,000 before on-road costs – with a petrol four-cylinder engine – considering the top-specification Mazda CX-5 tops out at $53,880 before on-road costs.
“CX-60 will be above CX-5 [in our line-up]. There could be some overlap [in terms of pricing] but CX-60 is above CX-5,” said Bhindi.
The CX-60 is marginally larger than the CX-5 – though shares five seats – and uses Mazda’s latest-generation interior design language, features, and a new rear- and all-wheel-drive platform.
Pricing for the CX-60 plug-in hybrid flagship variant is less clear, however a figure for a top-specification variant in excess of $70,000 looks likely. Six-cylinder versions are also on the way, but are yet to be priced.
“In the not-so-distant future we’ll just confirm not just the drivetrains, the specs, pricing, the timing… all of that information will be available well before the car actually comes to market.”
While CX-60 model grades in Europe wear nameplates such as Homura and Takumi, Mazda Australia marketing boss Alastair Doak suggested the Australian range will adopt more familiar nameplates such as Azami, GT SP, and Astina.
Mazda has also poured cold water on word suggesting it’s about to start competing against prestige manufacturers such as BMW, Audi and Lexus.
“Our version of premium is called ‘Mazda Premium’… what it’s not, is trying to say in Australia there’s VFACTS and under VFACTS there’s a luxury classification… that’s not what Mazda Premium is about,” Bhindi said.
“Our position is to take our brand and give our customers an option to go to the next level… in terms of specification, value equation, features, craftsmanship.”
As part of the Drive content team, Tom covers automotive news, car reviews, advice, and holds a special interest in long-form feature stories.
He understands that every car buyer is unique and has varying requirements when it comes to buying a new car, but equally, there’s also a loyal subset of Drive audience that loves entertaining enthusiast content.
Tom holds a deep respect for all things automotive no matter the model, priding himself on noticing the subtle things that make each car tick. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t learn something new in an everchanging industry, which is then imparted to the Drive reader base.
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