Mazda CX-60 2026: the secret of driving pleasure is in the details (that you don't see)

Approaching the Mazda CX-60 2026 means first of all understanding the concept of Kaizen, or constant improvement. Aesthetically, the car does not change one iota, and for good reason: the Kodo design, characterised by the long bonnet suggesting the longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive, remains one of the most elegant examples of contemporary Japanese styling. The CX-60 needs no aesthetic artifice to make itself stand out, as its presence is sculptural, muscular but always refined.

The real heart of this update lies in the underbody. Mazda responded directly to the feedback from first owners, who complained of a certain dryness of the rear axle on bumps and a response that was not always perfectly synchronised between the two axles. Our test drive, which took us 400 kilometres from Rome to the peaks of Abruzzo, allowed us to put the technical updates made to the Model Year 2026 to the test. Among the challenging curves to reach Santo Stefano di Sessanio, in the province of L'Aquila, the response was clear: the CX-60 now boasts a balance and dynamic coherence that significantly enhance driving pleasure.

Basically Mazda has upgraded the rear of the car using softer springs and stiffer shock absorbers. The objective? To eliminate that unstable feel of the old model, making the ride more precise and consistent between the front and rear. Now, when you put the nose into a corner, the rest of the car follows with surgical precision. The car is not affected by irregularities in the asphalt, and consequently eliminates the annoying jolts in the cabin, providing a smooth ride that was previously reserved almost exclusively for luxury saloons.

Under the bonnet of our test car beats the 'majestic' 3.3-litre straight-six e-Skyactiv D producing 249 hp. It is a countercurrent engine, but incredibly efficient. The big news for 2026 is the homologation for HVO 100, a biofuel derived from organic waste and recycled vegetable oils that allows even greener driving. During the test, the powertrain (mild hybrid with 48V battery) confirmed its nature as an indefatigable passer-by, with generous torque, no vibrations and real fuel consumption approaching 17 kilometres to the gallon on the motorway.

The CX-60's cabin remains an absolute benchmark for perceived quality, thanks to the use of maple wood, Kakenui stitching and ergonomics designed around the driver. For 2026, Mazda has added two key additions to enhance the driving experience. The adoption of front double glazing has taken the insulation from aerodynamic noise to a higher level, making it almost completely silent even at motorway speeds. In parallel, native Amazon Alexa integration allows climate, navigation and music management with natural voice commands, drastically reducing distractions. Furthermore, confirming that driving should be a pleasure in all senses and for all senses, Mazda has created the Harmonic Acoustic system. Instead of simply fitting speakers, the Japanese manufacturer's 'audiophile' engineers moved the large speakers (the woofers) from the door panels to the front corners of the chassis, i.e. between the wing and the cavity: in doing so, they eliminated the annoying body vibrations that often spoil music. The result is a much cleaner and more natural sound, without the background noise of the road.