Mazda is making daring claims about its new Massive Structure SUVs, beginning with the CX-60.

The Japanese model says its new bigger fashions with their inline six engines and rear-wheel drive architectures are its reply to the Euro premium institution – specifically Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

So, why not check out that declare? Right here on check we now have the 2024 Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami up towards the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic to see if Mazda can actually duke it out with the institution.

From the get-go the Mazda has a near-$30,000 value benefit over the Benz, a niche which grows wider in the event you add the obtainable Plus Bundle for the German. Is it that significantly better a automobile to justify the additional spend?

Effectively, let’s discover out!

Dive into an intensive side-by-side evaluation

Together with value, detailed specs and options

How a lot?

There’s a reasonably vast value hole at play right here.

You will get right into a CX-60 from round $60,000 earlier than on-road prices, however the top-spec Azami trim with the G40e mild-hybrid petrol engine asks for $73,600 plus on-roads.

Our check automobile additionally had the $2000 SP Bundle fitted, which brings the sportier blacked-out exterior accents and wheels, in addition to a fairly fetching Tan leather-based and suede inside.

So, $75,600 earlier than on-road prices as examined for a very decked-out CX-60. You may add one other $2000 and get the torquier D50e mild-hybrid inline six diesel, or $12,800 for the plug-in hybrid – fairly a little bit of selection.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic in the meantime, is the only engine variant obtainable for German marque’s mid-sizer in Australia. It’s priced from $103,700 earlier than on-road prices.

It’s additionally price mentioning the previous mannequin’s six-cylinder and plug-in hybrid engine choices aren’t any extra, regardless of abroad markets nonetheless getting a number of variations of the latter.

To be able to be extra aggressive with the general specification of the Mazda, the GLC requires the Plus Bundle which needs for an additional $6900 – although our check automobile wasn’t specified with this.

In order that’s a value distinction of no less than $30,000 earlier than you even think about on-road prices – you would purchase a second automobile with that change!

What do you get?

CX-60 Evolve highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels, Gray
• Auto LED headlights
• Auto high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Physique color exterior mirrors
• Facet mirrors with:
  • Energy adjustment
  • Auto folding
  • Heating
  • Auto-dimming
• Honeycomb grille design
• Black wheel arches and decrease cladding
• Distant operated energy tailgate (open/shut)
• G-Vectoring Management Plus
• 10.25-inch Mazda Join infotainment system
• 7.0-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (G40e, D50e)
• 12.3-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (P50e)
• Head-up show
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 8-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Entrance USB-C charging factors
• Rear console incl. USB-C, 150W AC retailers
• Rear 1500W AC energy outlet socket (PHEV)
• Keyless entry, push-button begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Electrical park brake with auto-hold
• One-touch energy home windows
• Leather-based steering wheel
• Leather-based shift knob
• Black Maztex upholstery
• Guide entrance seat adjustment

CX-60 GT provides:

• 20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallic
• LED headlights with ‘darkish signature’
• Rear mixture lights incl. signature illumination
• Energy sliding panoramic sunroof
• Gloss black exterior mirrors
• 2-position reminiscence, aspect mirrors
• Physique color wheel arches, decrease cladding
• Gloss black honeycomb grille
• Exterior mirror place reminiscence
• Arms-free energy tailgate (open/shut)
• 12.3-inch TFT LCD digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch infotainment system
• 12-speaker Bose premium sound system incl. amplifier
• Driver monitor system
• Personalise system
• Electrical steering wheel adjustment
• Heated steering wheel
• Black leather-based upholstery
• 10-way energy driver seat
  • incl. lumbar adjustment
  • incl. 2-position driver reminiscence
• 8-way energy passenger seat
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated outer rear seats
• Encompass-view cameras

CX-60 Azami provides:

• 20-inch machined alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights with ‘vibrant signature’
• Physique color exterior mirrors
• Entrance bumper with bar-type grille
• Cruising & Site visitors Assist
• Entrance cross-traffic alert
• Encompass-view cameras incl. see-through view
• Personalise system with ‘Straightforward Entry & Driving’
• LED ambient lighting
• Frameless inside mirror
• Black Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Ventilated entrance seats
• Leather-based aspect door trim courteously lamp

GLC 300 4Matic highlights:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• AMG Line exterior
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Aluminium-look operating boards
• Colored wheel arch liners
• Energy tailgate
• 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Fingerprint scanner
• Head-up show
• Wi-fi charger
• Off-Street driving mode incl. clear bonnet view
• AMG Line inside
• Woodgrain dashboard trim
• Piano black centre console
• Artico higher sprint
• Artico door linings
• Artico upholstery
• Powered entrance seats incl. reminiscence
• Heated entrance seats

Choices

Mazda CX-60

SP Bundle: $2000 (Azami)

• 20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallic
• Darkish-coloured aspect signature
• Gloss black honeycomb-type grille
• Gloss black exterior mirrors
• LED headlights with darkish signature
• Suede dashboard panel
• Tan Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Two-tone steering wheel

Plus Bundle: $6900

• Burmester 15-speaker premium audio
• Keyless-Go Bundle Plus
• Digital Gentle incl. adaptive high-beam
• Parking Bundle
• Warmth, noise insulating acoustic glass
• MBUX augmented actuality navigation

Two-tone leather-based: $3300

• Energy Purple, Black upholstery

Manufaktur premium paint: $1500

20-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels: $1000

Are they protected?

Mazda CX-60

The CX-60 wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking primarily based on Euro NCAP testing in 2022.

It scored 91 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 93 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 89 per cent for susceptible street consumer safety and 77 per cent for security help.

Customary security options embrace:

• 10 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Ahead incl. Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
  • Reverse
  • Junction help (Flip-across Site visitors)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Ahead obstruction warning
• Excessive Beam Management (auto high-beam)
• Lane-keep help
• Parking sensors entrance, rear
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Encompass digicam system
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Tyre stress monitoring
• Automobile exit warning

• Adaptive LED Headlights
• Cruising & Site visitors Assist
  • Adaptive cruise + lane centring
• Entrance cross-traffic alert
• 360-degree cameras incl. See By View

The Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV earned a five-star ANCAP security ranking earlier this 12 months towards the 2020-2022 testing protocols.

Customary security tools contains:

• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Blind-spot help
• Lane hold help
• Parking sensors entrance, rear
• Rear cross-traffic asssit
• Semi-autonomous parking help
• Velocity signal recognition
• 360-degree cameras
• Tyre stress monitoring

What are they like inside?

Mazda CX-60

With a two-tone steering wheel harking back to a Vary Rover or Bentley, in addition to quilting on the seats, there’s a really high-end look about it for one thing that is available in on the mid-$75,000 mark. Maybe solely Genesis presents this type of atmosphere for comparable cash.

The entrance seats are fairly comfy and provide 10-way adjustment for the driving force (together with lumbar and reminiscence) in addition to eight-way adjustment for the passenger. They’re additionally heated and ventilated within the Azami, which is a pleasant contact.

Forward of the driving force are a pair of 12.3-inch shows; the instrument cluster and central infotainment system, which solely presents contact performance whenever you’re stationary. In any other case, you utilize the BMW iDrive-style rotary controller on the centre console.

The instrument binnacle has an ordinary view mimicking standard dials, in addition to a driver help view which is robotically activated every time you activate the cruise. It’s a disgrace there’s no additional customisation past a small widget with a few readouts within the right-hand dial.

The Mazda Join infotainment interface is principally the identical as in different Mazda fashions on a bigger show, and there’s no prolonged on-line capabilities like there are in different markets… but.

There’s satellite tv for pc navigation, AM/FM/DAB radio, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming. It covers these bases fairly properly, and I spent most of my time utilizing smartphone mirroring which labored flawlessly – after an annoying bug that meant it took a few makes an attempt to pair first time.

Azami grades come fitted with a 12-speaker Bose audio system which presents good audio, and could be adjusted to supply a encompass sound expertise and thumping bass. It’s not fairly on the extent of the Benz’s Burmester system, although.

Mazda has caught to bodily switchgear for the local weather controls, which is nice. There’s a pleasant strong really feel and motion to them, serving to to uphold that notion of high quality. Talking of high quality, the match and end is fairly darn good. Every little thing feels solidly screwed collectively, and there’s an honest ratio of soft-touch supplies to exhausting surfaces.

I’ll say, the shortage of softer surfaces under the dashboard, in addition to textured delicate plastic as a substitute of stitched leather-like door tops (which you get within the CX-5) is disappointing.

There’s a pair of cupholders beside the gear selector, forward of that are a wi-fi telephone charger and USB-C inputs. Storage elsewhere up entrance contains respectable door bins and a deep cubby beneath the dual-lid centre armrest – so you may open half of it with out disturbing your passenger.

The second row isn’t large, and positively loses floor to the Mercedes. Behind my driving place (I’m 6’1) I had sufficient head-, knee- and toe room to get comfy, with a great view out the rear home windows. I’d wager two adults will likely be nice, three can be a pinch. The minimal centre tunnel no less than means a centre passenger isn’t too impeded when it comes to foot house.

Facilities embrace rear air vents – although no separate local weather controls – in addition to USB-C and 150W AC retailers to maintain units charged in addition to heated outboard seats.

There’s a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, map pockets behind the entrance seats, in addition to ISOFIX anchors on the outer positions and top-tethers throughout all three rear seats. Bottle holders within the doorways spherical out the notable practicality options.

Cargo quantity is quoted at 477 litres “to rear bundle tray” with all seats up, increasing to 1726 litres “to ceiling with underfloor cupboard space” with the rear seats folded. Not dangerous, however considerably off the tempo of the GLC (620L) with all seats in use.

Distant levers to drop the rear seats characteristic within the cargo space. Delicate-hybrid variations get a space-saver spare wheel.

Mercedes-Benz has a knack for cabins that smack you within the face with wow issue on first look and large shows – particularly in the event you go for the swish Neva Gray leatherette or two-tone Sienna Brown possibility over our tester’s black exterior.

That 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen rises out of the centre console like a spaceship management panel, and the freestanding 12-inch digital instrument cluster likewise is futuristic in its execution. Each characteristic floor coatings to minimise glare, and obtain that in most situations.

It’s all operating the second era MBUX interface, which presents excessive decision, snappy load occasions, and a wealth of configurability for each shows. One other main improve over the earlier iteration is the very fact Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wi-fi.

Linked companies are included out of the field, together with on-line visitors updates and net-based companies accessed by way of the touchscreen. Most will simply use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was dependable and snappy throughout our time with the GLC… save for a few dropouts at recognized factors round Melbourne.

Match and end was as soon as a Mercedes-Benz hallmark, although today the German marque generally is a little patchy in areas – significantly in something badged under ‘E’.

The person-made leather-based trim is supple sufficient, and options on the seats, door tops and sprint, with stitched particulars that look fairly fetching and upmarket. That’s contrasted with a lot of gloss black trim on the centre console, vulnerable to fingerprints and scuffs.

Different marks towards the model’s in any other case strong popularity for high quality are a few of the inside plastics. The dashboard trims usually sound like they flex over driveways and ramps, and the sliding lid on the centre bin in our check automobile generally set free a yucky squeak after we opened it.

For a luxurious automobile costing over $100,000 sporting the Three-Pointed Star on its nostril, these form of issues aren’t actually acceptable.

The GLC SUV presents rear lodging that’s just about class main within the premium mid-size SUV section, and is the higher of the 2 automobiles right here.

It’s a disgrace there’s no possibility for a 3rd zone of temperature controls, given you may get that form of stuff in a Volkswagen Golf today – the CX-60 additionally misses out.

Facilities embrace rear air vents, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, ISOFIX youngster seat anchor factors and top-tether mounts throughout the rear seatbacks, and the centre seatback folds individually if it is advisable to stow an extended merchandise.

The GLC SUV presents a giant 620L with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1680L with the rear seats folded – greater than the Mazda in each measurements. Beneath the boot flooring is a space-saver spare wheel.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

How do they drive?

Mazda CX-60

First, the journey. It’s firmer than I’d like for one thing marketed as ‘premium’, and doubtless deserves adaptive damping. However with that stated, it got here collectively significantly better in on a regular basis settings than I’d have thought.

There’s a firmness to the CX-60 that continuously reminds you of its extra dynamic bent in the event you’re on uneven high-speed blacktop like what we drove on on the media launch, however the CX-60 feels rather more sorted on metropolis streets.

It communicates imperfections within the street floor and infrequently will thud over sharper hits which isn’t nice, however I by no means discovered it significantly uncomfortable. At worst it was a bit unsettled at occasions – I’d suggest taking a check drive your self to gauge the place it sits in your consolation scale.

This firmness has a constructive trade-off in how the CX-60 feels on the within the bends and on the freeway. It’s tremendous tied down and feels significantly dynamic in contrast with the majority of mid-sized SUVs.

Heavy steering and a agency chassis arrange make for fairly a eager steer, and the way in which the CX-60 feels hunkered down on the freeway could be very European in really feel, and evokes confidence in opposed climate.

Mazda’s staff confirmed every powertrain variant has slight variations of their suspension tuning. The G40e feels a bit extra lighter on its toes than the D50e diesel – which is firmer, significantly up entrance.

Efficiency from the turbocharged inline six could be very robust, and fairly addictive. Whereas the plug-in hybrid has the quickest 0-100 on paper, the three.3-litre inline six petrol has extra character and an nearly BMW-like persona in its linear acceleration and brassy engine be aware.

Mazda’s 6.9-second 0-100 declare feels fully plausible by the seat of the pants, and it positively feels extra keen and responsive than the torquey D50 3.3-litre diesel.

The 48V M Hybrid Enhance system is eager to change the engine off at any time when it may possibly, which generally is a ache in the event you’re anticipating eager response in regular driving. It additionally means gasoline use for such a giant engine is spectacular – we noticed 8-9L/100km in blended situations, which just about matches the Benz’s 2.0-litre turbo.

That rear-drive stability offers the sensation of being pushed reasonably than pulled, permitting the entrance wheels to prioritise steering reasonably than accelerating.

On the roll Mazda’s new eight-speed automated is snappy, however decrease pace shifts could be iffy, often jerking like whenever you mess up a guide shift. It might probably clunk in the event you catch it napping whenever you want a fast burst of acceleration, missing the layer of polish you’d often count on of a premium SUV.

Talking of polish, the SP Bundle (and CX-60 GT) seem to get noisier tyres than the usual Azami. The 235/50 R20 Toyo Proxes Sport efficiency tyres transmit extra street noise to the cabin than I keep in mind of the usual Azami sporting Bridgestone Alenza tyres.

Flicking it into Sport mode, the throttle sharpens up and the steering weights up a bit. The CX-60 is really a enjoyable factor to punt up a B-road, and the petrol inline six makes for fairly a fascinating expertise in a approach most four-cylinder options don’t.

All variations of the CX-60 include an array of driver help techniques as you’d count on, however Azami is decked out with the whole lot Mazda can probably throw at it – even when a few of the beeps and bongs are a bit annoying.

Adaptive cruise management with Cruising & Site visitors Assist presents semi-autonomous functionality on the freeway and in visitors; and as we’ve come to count on it really works easily and intuitively. The lane centring operate works properly, and activating the cruise management switches the driving force show to point out help entrance and centre with the dials unfold to every aspect. I want you would return to the traditional look.

Blind-spot help will actively steer you again into your lane to keep away from a collision with an approaching automobile, and there’s entrance and rear cross-traffic alert to assist when getting into intersections or reversing out of blind parking spots. Even higher, there’s Flip-across Site visitors Help within the AEB system to cease you in the event you try an unsafe flip into oncoming visitors.

In comparison with the Mazda, the GLC positively feels extra consolation centered. It’s noticeably softer on preliminary hits, however that stated it’s not a world away when it comes to general consolation and refinement.

The controls are very gentle, nearly lazy in the usual Consolation setting, although the massive 20-inch wheels and liquorice-thin tyres that come as normal don’t essentially iron out the lumps and bumps in addition to they need to.

Driving refinement in day by day environments is fairly good, with a muted be aware from the engine coming via and good insulation from street noise. The 48V mild-hybrid system may even minimize the engine as you sluggish to a halt in visitors or on the lights to save lots of gasoline, and smooths out the start-up course of when you get shifting once more.

That stated, the 48V system isn’t as eager shut off the engine because the Mazda’s. You aren’t continuously seeing the engine activate and off – which can be a plus for response in eventualities the place you shortly must boot it when coasting – however it additionally means you received’t save as a lot gasoline.

I noticed an analogous 8-9L/100km throughout my time with the GLC, with a mixture of high-traffic peak-hour commuting blended with freeway stints. I anticipated higher – it’s price noting Mercedes claims a better official consumption determine than the Mazda regardless of the Japanese SUV’s considerably bigger engine.

The GLC would additionally battle to maintain the engine off when sitting idle at a visitors gentle for greater than 45-60 seconds, which is uncommon from a automobile touting a beefed-up electrical structure. When there are diesel and hybrid options that might nearly halve the GLC’s indicated common it’s price calling out.

The place the GLC impresses extra is out on the open street, the place its safe stance and relaxed controls make for an easy tourer. The two.0-litre engine settles fortunately right into a cruise at 100-110km/h, silently consuming up the miles in ninth gear.

Whereas there’s a smattering of AMG bits, I wouldn’t go as far to say the GLC 300 feels significantly sporty ought to you end up on a winding nation B-road.

In regular driving the GLC 300 Coupe presents safe, correct dealing with that’s additionally fairly gentle on really feel. Tighter corners in the usual setting trigger a little bit of lean, exacerbated considerably by the commanding drive place. Throttle response can also be fairly relaxed and nearly lazy in the usual setting.

Even with the drive mode set to Sport, it doesn’t really feel tremendous desirous to be pushed exhausting. The steering and suspension agency up a bit, and throttle response sharpens. You additionally get extra engine noise due to the audio system, however it’s simply not the way in which to profit from what this automobile has to supply.

Efficiency from the turbocharged motor is just not dangerous due to its wholesome 400Nm of torque, and in Sport mode the model’s 0-100km/h declare of 6.Three seconds feels doable by the seat of the pants with the whole lot in full assault – however it’s not as sonorous because the Mazda’s inline six.

Value of possession

Mazda CX-60

Like the broader Mazda vary, the CX-60 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Scheduled servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres (whichever comes first) for the G40e M Hybrid and the P50e Plug-in Hybrid; whereas the D50e M Hybrid quotes shorter 10,000km intervals.

Mazda doesn’t provide upfront service packages, however the first 5 years of its capped-price servicing program complete $2881 for G40e fashions – expensive, however nonetheless lower than half of what Mercedes-Benz costs.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC vary is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Logbook servicing is required each 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first. The corporate presents three-, four-, and five-year servicing packages priced at $3100, $4200, and $6455 respectively – ouch.

CarExpert’s Decide

Each of those premium SUVs are good automobiles in isolation, however include some fairly niggling flaws.

The Mazda presents a basic drivetrain configuration now not provided by the Mercedes, is tens of hundreds cheaper and is the extra dynamic drive of the 2 – however its agency suspension continues to polarise, and Mazda doesn’t fairly have near the identical degree of badge credibility.

Past the journey, the infotainment lacks related and distant companies – although Mazda is rolling these out throughout its vary all through 2024 – and the house and practicality on provide performs second fiddle to its German rival right here.

In the meantime, the Mercedes is considerably extra money to purchase and to service, and presents a much less partaking drive expertise and comparable gasoline consumption to the Mazda regardless of having a smaller engine. It additionally requires an costly possibility pack to higher align its spec sheet with the CX-60’s.

However the further spend does get you a extra fascinating badge, a extra subtle and in depth tech and software program expertise, in addition to a extra comfy and refined driving expertise – if on the expense of enjoyable and engagement. It’s additionally the extra spacious of the 2 rivals right here.

Do you have to be cross-shopping these two – or any luxurious rivals towards the Mazda – the one to decide on will actually be primarily based on how a lot a premium badge is price to you, and whether or not you may dwell with the CX-60’s terse journey.

The Benz doesn’t enamour me sufficient to justify dropping one other $30,000-$35,000 over the Mazda. The distinction in buy value plus the continued upkeep prices aren’t justified by a considerably extra premium expertise throughout all metrics – even in isolation, it feels overpriced.

Maybe Audi and BMW equivalents may (for much less cash), however these tends of hundreds of {dollars} might go a good distance elsewhere put myself within the thoughts of a extra pragmatic household purchaser.

Let me know what you suppose although – drop a remark under!

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BUY: Mazda CX-60
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