The CX-60 Takumi shines in the face of fuel prices
8
The CX-60 Takumi shines in the face of fuel prices
Diesel. It’s the fuel that packs a punch and keeps our world moving. It’s energy-dense and torquey, and it still holds a special place in the South African motoring psyche, perhaps even more so than our obsession with 4x4s and bakkies. Diesel keeps revs down and consumption in check, and, thanks to over-engineered components and reduced rotational strain, these engines tend to go the distance.
They often make more sense than their petrol equivalents, but the ever-rising price of fuel seems to erode that logic, and the biggest question becomes whether we turn away from diesel-powered cars in favour of hybridised petrol units. Mazda certainly says no, and the CX-60 3.3D Takumi really gets its point across. However, hybridised diesels remain somewhat of an anomaly, with mainly BMW and Mercedes-Benz having a serious go at it. But the formula has merit, and after a week with the CX-60, it’s clear Mazda has cracked it.
It features a 3.3-litre turbodiesel engine paired with a mild-hybrid system. It produces 187kW and 550Nm, and from the get-go, the Takumi shocked me with an unexpectedly high level of performance. No, it’s not a performance SUV, but it’s not slow either, considering that mountain of torque it has on speed dial. The hybrid assist works in tandem with the diesel engine’s low-end torque to get off the line with a heavy dose of enthusiasm and a 0-100km/h time of 7.3 seconds. Modern hot hatches and sport SUVs might shrug off these numbers, but burying the right pedal on a highway on-ramp says otherwise. The pick-up-and-go is almost instantaneous, and the push is linear. It’s potent, but where it shines the brightest is when you reach highway speeds.
Mazda’s CX-60 plants itself with a smooth ride quality that balances rigidity and compliance, delivering a velvety on-road feel when the wheels are pointed straight on a quality road surface and enough torsional rigidity to enjoy through the corners. On rougher road surfaces, there is a level of sharpness in its shock absorption, but its lively character and diesel that sounds nothing like one keep your drive surprisingly exciting. What further aids its liveliness is its rear-biased AWD configuration, paired with a double-wishbone front suspension that enhances handling and adds a sporty feel when the road demands it. Forget performance for a second, though, and the hybrid’s biggest virtue must be its economy, which sat at 4.9l/100km. Especially impressive considering this SUV weighs near-on 2 tonnes.
As for the interior, Mazda is one of the few brands that continues to resist the automotive industry’s obsession with large screens and overly digitalised user experiences. Once you are in the driver’s seat, there is a distinct sense of class through simplicity, thanks to the strong use of high-quality leather on the seats and dashboard. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen is clear and works seamlessly, though it lacks touchscreen usability. It’s simple and easy to use, and in many ways a breath of fresh air from the copy-and-paste infotainment currently flooding the market, particularly from Chinese cars. In front of the driver is a 12-inch digital driver’s display with analogue-style gauges and information.
The elegance is carried through to the smaller details – the seat stitching, the tactile climate controls, all of which are cleanly integrated into the centre console. Space is also not an issue for rear passengers. Soft nappa leather covers the seats throughout, ventilated up front, while a 12-speaker Bose sound system rounds out what is a genuinely premium cabin experience.
The CX-60 Takumi, or master craftsman, is the range-topping CX-60 and distinguishes itself with that more premium execution on the interior. The biggest mechanical selling points of the Takumi are its 3.3-litre engine and finely tuned suspension. But these editions come with a price tag of R1,101,400. Before we say it’s just another R1 million SUV, there is a real sense of purpose behind the Takumi with its refinement and power figures.
It competes with the likes of the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5, but the CX-60 Takumi convincingly holds its own. It offers a larger displacement at comparable consumption figures, wrapped in a design language that doesn’t shout for attention the way its German rivals do, yet matches them in quality and experience where it counts.
Mazda is sticking to its guns here, prioritising quality and driving experience over digitalisation, and it works. Elegance is present in the CX-60 Takumi without compromise, combining a spirited, characterful drive with purposeful design that doesn’t copy what its German competitors are doing. Overall, it’s tasteful and can be enjoyed on the open road as it’s appreciated on the daily commute. At a time, though, when diesel prices are eroding the appetite for oil-burners, the Takumi proves that diesel remains the king of frugal consumption. Yes, it costs more at the pump, but you buy considerably less of the expensive stuff.
Images: Charl Bosch
Get TopGear SA news and reviews in your inbox
