Kiwi choice of four CX-60s and a single CX-90 will take Mazda into the premium sector.

TWO impending all-wheel-drive sport utility wagons coming from Mazda will represent wholly in petrol hybrid, most with plug-in capability - with a luxury focus reflecting in pricing from just under $80,000 to the low $90k zone.

Though the CX-60 five-seater (directly above) and seven chair CX-90 (top image), which are closely linked styling-wise and share a brand new platform and powertrains, are not yet in circulation, the smaller coming first, in August, has been confirmed by Mazda New Zealand.

The Auckland-based distributor is preparing for that release with a dedicated public website, shop.mazda.co.nz, that lays out pricing and specifications and accepts deposits.

This reveals the CX-90 will, at $92,990, be the largest and most expensive mainstream car yet sold by the make here.

The type is flamboyant school run fare as it is provisioning purely in Takami, the brand’s most plush format, and runs a 254kW/500Nm 3.3-litre inline petrol six-cylinder, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, that will accept 91 octane.

CX-60 meanwhile, spans four richly-provisioned all-wheel-drive choices, three with Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid, with 241kW and 500Nm - the most grunt of any previous road car in the company’s history. 

The  PHEV combines a 2.5-litre four cylinder petrol engine with a 100kW electric motor, 17.8kWh battery and eight-speed auto and regardless of being thrusty is also thrifty. 

Mazda claims an optimal condition fuel use of 2.3 litres per 100km and just 54 grams per kilometre of CO2, these figures based on WLTP-3 factoring. Previous data has been to the outmoded NEDC scale.

It also says the tech will deliver 63km (76km on NEDC) of claimed pure electric driving range, at sub-100kmh pace. This engine dedicates to 95 octane and recharging is AC type 2.

The PHEV starts as a $78,990 Touring, lifts to a new-to-market Homura mid-level specification at $87,990 and tops out in a $90,990 Takami. 

CX-60 Homura will also avail with the 3.3-litre six, but with 209kW and 450Nm torque, at $81,990. 

It has a WLTP-3 rated consumption of 7.4L/100km and a CO2 output of 190g/km. The fuel tank capacity for this engine 58 litres, so eight litres later than for the PHEV.

The paddle shift eight-speed transmission, also used by CX-90, has normal, sport, off-road and towing modes with both engines, the PHEV also offering an EV mode.

There is no place for the inline six turbodiesel; this decision perhaps fuelled by consumer wariness about that type in Mazda passenger cars due to well-publicised issues with the 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel that used to go into CX-5 and Mazda6.

The pricing places the Mazda CX-60 in line with medium luxury sports utility wagons from Europe, Japan and South Korea – and non-luxury seven-seat SUVs.

At 4740mm long, 1890mm wide, up to 1688mm tall and with a 2870mm wheelbase, the car places between the CX-5 and CX-8 in terms of size. Kerb eights are 1949kg for the six-cylinder, up to 2139kg for the PHEV. Towing capacities are 750kg unbraced and 2500kg braked.

Detail on Mazda NZ’s website suggests both CX models will be extremely well outfitted.

All CX-60s run 20 inch wheels with 235/50 rubber, each derivative having a specific wheel styling, have power tailgates - hands-free on all but the Touring - and 12.3 inch touchscreens, Bose audio (eight speakers in Touring, 12 elsewhere) and trim out with leather, Nappa in the Takami. Of the three choices in Japan, tan, has not make the cut. For NZ, it’s black or white.

All but the Touring have a sunroof, everything has a 360 degree camera with see-through view on all but the Touring.

Safety provision is high, with every model having eight airbags. Antiskid brakes, blind spot monitoring, Isofix child anchors, radar cruise control with auto stop-go, driver attention alert and monitoring are standard. All but the Touring have cruising and traffic support, a system which consists of a headway control function and steering assist function for reducing driver fatigue when in heavy traffic.

Dynamic stability control, emergency stop signalling, front cross traffic alert, hill descent control, hill launch assist, intelligent speed assist, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, smart brake support, traction control, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring also feature.

The CX-90 has much of the above, including a driver personalisation with facial recognition, fits with high-end back leather and rides on 21-inch rims.

Five year scheduled serving, five year unlimited kilometre warranty and five year on call road side assist come under the Mazdacare umbrella.