Luxury is hardly a term you'd associate with Mazda. Fun and sporty - sure - but not luxury. You certainly wouldn't picture it alongside opulent German cars in a forecourt. But with the CX-60, Mazda looks to change that perception.

With a swanky interior and plug-in hybrid efficiency, it looks to take on SUV pillars such as the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. 

The most notable, un-Mazda addition to the CX-60 is its plush cabin design. Mazda's interiors are known for being simple and functional, if not a little unimaginative. The CX-60's throws swathes of leather trimmings, heaps of tech and comfy niceties at that preconception, with an overall package that feels like it belongs next to its German SUV rivals. You can specify a cream interior as well as classic black too, which helps further add to its grandeur. 

The CX-60's plug-in hybrid system makes use of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor - the latter of which is powered by a 17.8kWh battery. All-in, the CX-60 puts out 327hp and boasts a rather tasty zero to 62mph sprint time of 5.8 seconds. Charging the 17.8kWh battery will take around 2.5 hours from a home wallbox charger. 

When fully charged, Mazda reckons you'll get a full-EV range of about 39 miles out of the CX-60 - and we found this to be very accurate. Unlike some whisper-quiet plug-ins, the CX-60 tends to emit a humming sound when cruising in EV mode. It's not disconcerting, but it's still worth noting. Acceleration in EV mode is instant and packed full of torque, which is great when nipping in and around city or urban areas. And there's a dedicated EV Mode button too, for if you want to use up all your charge in one go.

Selecting Normal Mode will let the car decide when the petrol engine takes over. If you put your foot down, the petrol engine will gurgle into life, and the switch from electric to petrol power is fairly seamless. The eight-speed automatic gearbox makes gear changes smooth too, especially when at higher speeds.

The driving mannerisms of the CX-60 are a bit of a mixed bag. Mazdas have a reputation for going against the grain and maintaining sporty driving characteristics, regardless of what its rivals are doing. Mazda applies this same credo to the luxurious CX-60, and we don't think it quite lands like the brand intended it to.

Although the weighty steering adds finesse when cornering, it feels tiring when changing lanes on the motorway. Same goes for the firm suspension. A heady amount of tire roar sneaks into the cabin at higher speeds too, and overall it doesn't feel as effortless as its German rivals - on country roads or on the motorway.

The regenerative braking offered as part of the plug-in hybrid system is a little jarring as well, offering a significant amount of braking as you lift your foot off the accelerator. You can change its severity through the touchscreen, but the difference is negligible, and overall this adds to the slightly sluggish and taxing feeling of
the CX-60. 

The CX-60 is by no means bad to drive, it just doesn't manage to hit the right notes to be classed as notably sporty or seamlessly comfortable.  

Overall the CX-60 is extremely practical. The rear doors open nice and wide, which makes climbing in and loading baby seats easy. There's enough head and leg room for six footers, and even though there's a prominent hump in the floor, middle passengers shouldn't have a problem comfortably mounting their feet.