American car enthusiasts are well aware of the CX-90, a three-row SUV based on a rear-biased platform. The family-sized crossover has a two-row sibling overseas in the form of the CX-60, which also comes with the 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six engine available stateside.
The CX-60 can also be had with a 3.3-liter turbo diesel, a six-cylinder lump the CX-90 isn't likely to receive. It's remarkable that Mazda poured millions over millions into the development of a brand-new diesel powerplant when everyone and their dog is pivoting to electric propulsion, yet Mazda is known for bucking the trend.
Paul Maric of CarExpert Australia had the opportunity of testing the CX-60 with both engines back to back. Both of them are officially dubbed Azami, which is the range-topping specification. Building on the GT and entry-level Evolve, the Azami comes with 20-inch alloys wrapped in Toyo Proxes Sport rubber boots (from the factory).
This information matters when you compare the 0-100 acceleration of two vehicles, especially when it's the same make and model. It's also worth mentioning that 41 kilograms, which means 90 pounds, separates these two in terms of curb weight. The diesel is understandably heavier at 1,990 kilograms (4,387 pounds), whereas the gas'd CX-60 weighs in at 1,949 kilos (4,297 pounds).
That being said, how much of a difference we're dealing with from zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) on a regular, unprepped surface? Paul's Dragy app records 7.08 seconds for the gasoline-fueled model and 7.29 seconds for the diesel, which is pretty good in every respect, more so if you remember that Mazda has yet to roll out a performance-oriented variant of the CX-60.
The gasser also pulls harder from 80 to 120 kilometers per hour (50 to 75 miles per hour), namely 4.20 seconds compared to 4.64 seconds. What about braking performance? From 100 clicks to a screeching halt, the diesel needs 2.96 seconds compared to 2.71 for the gasoline-fueled G40e. The e in G40e refers to mild-hybrid assistance, a fuel-saving contraption that's also present in the 3.3-liter diesel, hence its D50e moniker.
Priced at the equivalent of 48,000 and 48,500 freedom dollars, the CX-60s in the featured clip are similarly quiet on the inside. The professionally calibrated sound meter recorded as much as 70.7 decibels in the G40e and 70.6 decibels in the D50e at 100 kilometers per hour on a coarse road surface. On a smooth road surface, the gasser is slightly quieter: 62.4 decibels versus 63.3 decibels.
That being said, will the CX-60 ever be available stateside? That's a bit fat no, but fret not. The CX-60 and upcoming CX-80 are narrow-body SUVs, whereas the CX-90 is a wide-body SUV. The American model will be joined by the CX-70 in due time, most likely in late 2023 for MY24, as the American cousin of the CX-60.
How big of a difference is there between the narrow- and wide-body SUVs? In regard to overall width – excluding the mirrors – make that 1,994 millimeters (78.5 inches) for the CX-90 versus 1,890 millimeters (74.4 inches).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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