How much will it cost to run?

• Plug-in running costs depend on how it’s used
• Not that economical for long drives
• Diesel a welcome alternative for private buyers

What are the running costs?

The Mazda CX-60 PHEV is a big car, with a big engine and four-wheel drive. It’s hard to equate that with the inevitable plug-in hybrid WLTP 188mpg claims, but how big a benefit EV mode is is down to how you use your car. If you do frequent short, low-speed drives in a bigger SUV currently, charging at home on cheaper rates of electricity will save you money and be kinder to your car and the environment.

Once you get onto the open road and longer drives, the advantages are mostly on paper – your P11D – in the form of that low 33g/km CO2 figure. In real-world use with home charging, but with regular 140 mile round trips and national speed limit roads, the CX-60 PHEV averaged between 36 and 38mpg. It has a 35-litre fuel tank which gives a combined range between 260 and 300 miles; you will find yourself filling up far more frequently than you’d expect for a car of this size.

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The six-cylinder 3.3-litre diesel is a very different story, even if company car drivers miss out on zero-rated BIK in choosing one. With that proviso, we’d happily recommend the CX-60 diesel to a private buyer. It claims to deliver over 56.5mpg in 200hp, rear-wheel drive form, and not much less as a 245hp AWD model. Over a 125-mile economy run we achieved a hugely impressive 59.5mpg, and 47.0mpg with ease when driving in a more spirited fashion.

During our long-term test of the 3.3-litre diesel, we’re seeing around 43mpg during combined driving.

That’s thanks to numerous fuel-saving systems, including mild hybrid additions that shut the engine off when coasting. Mainly, though, Mazda claims that the engine’s comparatively huge capacity actually aids in efficiency – allowing significantly more air through. It’s also very lightweight.

Servicing and warranty

Mazda’s warranty is not particularly notable at three years and 60,000 miles, with a bodywork warranty for surface corrosion/paintwork running concurrently. Rust (or anti-perforation) cover lasts for 12 years, reliant on annual inspections, and the CX-60’s plug-in hybrid system has a battery warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles.

Service intervals are 12 months or 12,500 miles, and service plans are available. On the whole our experience of Mazda dealers is positive.

Reliability

• Mazda has a strong record in this area
• No official recalls for the CX-60
• Well-constructed, feels resilient

This is a brand-new model from Mazda, and it’s a new plug-in hybrid system as well with a lot of innovative technology. While it’s likely to be reliable, and the design of the CX-60 should make servicing easy, we encountered some glitches in our long-term test car. This may suggest early adopters get to experience the Mazda dealer sooner than planned.

The diesel is also a new, unproven design, but a simpler vehicle overall.

In the long run Mazda’s cars are generally very reliable, with hard wearing interiors that age well and robust electronics, but some paint finishes chip easily and rust proofing isn’t always up to the worst of Britain’s salt-laden winters. Don’t skip the body inspection.