MAZDA CX-60 E-SKYACTIV plug-in hybrid AWD automatic

Our verdict

Tested here is the CX-60 PHEV, Mazda's first vehicle available as a Plug-In hybrid. This is large and luxurious SUV, which offers an abundance of power (141 kW ICE + 129 kW EM) and torque. Mazda declared an electric range (EAER) of 63 km, but in Green NCAP's tests with active cabin climatization, only 51 km were measured. In the case of the heavy and sporty Mazda, the hybrid system's success in reducing consumption and emissions is limited by the relatively low electric range and the high energy demand figures in both modes, but especially in pure combustion mode. This is Mazda's most powerful series production car up-to date and it appears as if the electric part of the powertrain is used primarily to boost dynamic performance. With this premise, the modest results in the Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Indexes are not surprising, but could have been better, if the grid-to-battery-output efficiency was higher than the measured 85.6%. The Clean Air Index received a score of just 5.4/10 due to several issues of the exhaust aftertreatment, but most significantly CO gross exceedance in the Highway and Cold Ambient Test and generally high particle number. Although these more advanced tests were performed, the vehicle's average score drops below the threshold for additional robustness rating and the car is rated only on the standard tests. Overall, the CX-60 Plug-In Hybrid receives an average score of 48% and achieves 2½ Green stars, narrowly missing a third one.