Mazda CX-60 Takumi Review: The Best Car You Can Get

BY MUFARO MHARIWA
2 days ago
5 min read

The Mazda CX-60 Takumi isn’t about flashy headlines or showing off, it’s about being a complete, thoughtful package. Not the fastest, not the flashiest, maybe not even the prettiest, but dare I say it, the best car you can get. Let me explain why:

I’d already driven the CX-60 Takumi on a road trip to the Pilanesberg in Rustenburg (courtesy of Mazda and Slaps PR). You’d think that would dull the excitement of getting this car for a full week, but not at all. If anything, knowing how it drives made me more eager to have it again. Seeing it for the second time, especially in Jet Black, was just as thrilling. This car is so understated, yet it commands attention with quiet confidence.

What surprised me was how many people did a double take. To me, there isn’t much to it, if you’ve seen any other Mazda, you’ve seen this one too. But clearly the CX-60 has a presence that makes people look twice.

Exterior Design: Curves, Chrome, and Aggression

The CX-60 is a big car with a sloping roofline and plenty of curves, capped off by a long bonnet. All of it comes together to give a sporty, slightly aggressive profile from every angle. The rear lights add to that attitude with their sharp, almost angry look, while the front lights are cleverly segmented: the DRLs sit tucked into the bonnet with the main headlights just behind.

Overall, the design is deliberately restrained, and that’s not a bad thing. On this Takumi trim the subtle details do the heavy lifting. Chrome accents on the grille, around the windows, and on the “Inline 6” badging along the front fender pop beautifully against a dark paint like Jet Black. Even the two-tone, 20 inch five-spoke rims carry a touch of chrome that finishes the look.

It also sports four chrome exhaust tips, but here’s the catch, they’re purely cosmetic. I’m not a fan of fake exhausts, though plenty of people seem to like the look.

Interior: Luxury Everywhere You Look

Step inside and it’s pure luxury, front and back. Space is the first thing you notice, it genuinely feels house-sized. The seats are wrapped in soft Nappa leather that’s as comfortable as it is good-looking, and nearly every surface follows suit. Hard plastics are a rarity and tucked so far down by your feet you have to hunt for them.

The centre console is huge and just as premium, continuing the leather theme. There are two covered cupholders up front, another pair for rear passengers, a dedicated sunglass holder, and even a coin box; a charming touch you rarely see these days.

Passengers get stretch-out legroom and, despite the sloping roofline and panoramic glass roof, surprising headroom as well. Rear passengers can also recline their seats.

The steering wheel deserves its own shout-out. The horn section is smaller than on most cars, which makes the wheel look perfectly round and understated while still packing every control you need.

Tech & Features: Smart and Thoughtful

Let’s address the elephant in the cabin first: the infotainment screen. It’s crisp and well laid out, but it isn’t a touchscreen. Instead, you use a rotary dial behind the gear lever to navigate menus and type in destinations. It works, but when you’re trying to punch in a street name on the built-in navigation it can feel a little old-school. That said, the system redeems itself with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that pair effortlessly, plus a neatly hidden wireless charging pad just ahead of the gear lever.

Mazda clearly sweated the details elsewhere. The Bose surround-sound system is excellent; complete with a subwoofer in the boot and the clever ability to focus the sound on the driver’s seat if you’re riding solo. Two USB-C ports front and rear keep devices topped up, while the standard head-up display projects speed, current speed limit, navigation prompts and even your cruise-control settings directly onto the windscreen.

Driver-assistance tech is generous. You get a sharp 360-degree camera with crystal-clear night vision, plus the usual safety aids: Lane Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Driver Monitor, and Mazda’s Advanced Smart City Brake Support. Automatic headlights that dim themselves and a rock-steady electronic parking brake round things off.

A particularly slick touch is the facial-recognition system. It scans the driver as you climb in and automatically adjusts the seat and steering wheel to your saved profile. And while the front seats don’t heat, they do cool, ideal for South African summers.

Performance & Drive: Powerful & Efficient

As mentioned earlier, I had already driven the CX-60 Takumi to Rustenburg, and having it for a week was just as thrilling. Overtaking is effortless thanks to the 3.3L turbo diesel + hybrid electric inline-six. With 250hp (187 kW) and 550 Nm, you’ll never feel underpowered. Even in normal mode, putting your foot down will have you gripping the seat as the engine roars and pulls with authority. Thanks to its all-wheel-drive system, the CX-60 Takumi feels planted in corners and confident on wet or uneven surfaces, adding to the assurance the car gives when accelerating or overtaking.

Mazda’s Mi-Drive toggle lets you switch between Sport, Normal, and Off-Road modes, and it’s a nice touch that the driver’s display subtly changes with each mode. Handling is excellent, tightening up in Sport mode for a more engaging drive. Braking is highly responsive, and gear shifts are seamless, you barely notice them at all.

The hybrid system comes into its own, particularly when pulling off from a stop. There’s no lag, giving you smooth and instant acceleration, which makes the car fun to drive. You know exactly what’s going to happen when you press the pedal, no guessing involved.

Despite the power, fuel efficiency is impressive. On our Rustenburg trip, we averaged 6.7 L/100 km, while city driving came in around 7.0 L/100 km. It's worth noting that I easily could've got better numbers but the engine tempted me to be heavy on the accelerator most times. The ride is not as cushioned as the interior might suggest, the suspension leans a little stiff, but the plush seats absorb most bumps, balancing the experience. Diesel engines are rarely quiet at low revs, but at higher revs, this one produces a satisfying growl that driving enthusiasts will appreciate.

Price & Verdict

The Takumi comes in at R1,085,100, with no optional extras to tack on. For everything included, this is an excellent value proposition. Compare it to competitors like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, or Audi Q5, and the CX-60 Takumi emerges as the most affordable without skimping on features or requiring expensive add-ons.

From its turbo diesel + hybrid powertrain and impressive all-wheel-drive system to its sophisticated interior, extensive safety kit, and intuitive tech, the CX-60 feels like a car that’s been meticulously thought through. Fuel efficiency is excellent given the size and power, the ride is comfortable, and the design, both inside and out, manages to impress without needing to scream for attention. Put simply, this package is highly underrated.

Final Scorecard: 9.5/10

Category	Rating out of 10	Notes
Design	8	Understated yet aggressive Mazda design; Nappa leather standard; premium interior; luxury everywhere; sporty, sleek exterior
Performance	10	3.3L turbo diesel + hybrid inline-six; 251 hp, 550 Nm; AWD; tight handling in Sport mode; responsive braking; fun to drive
Tech & Features	8	Infotainment controlled via dial (no touchscreen); wireless CarPlay & Android Auto; Bose surround system; HUD & facial recognition; cooled rear seats; 360° camera & sensors; hands-free tailgate/kick sensor; standard features all included
Drive	9	Comfortable seats absorb most bumps; great fuel efficiency (6.7 L/100 km highway, 7.0 L/100 km city); AWD adds confidence; easy daily usability
Price	9.5	R1,085,100 with no optional extras; undercuts BMW X3, GLC, Audi Q5; all tech, luxury, and power included; well-priced for a complete package