Mazda's rear-wheel-drive-based mid-size SUV with a proven naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder. Available primarily in Australia, Japan, and select Asian markets (not offered in Europe), the 2.5 Skyactiv-G is the simplest CX-60 powertrain: no turbo, no hybrid system, no plug-in complexity. Mazda markets it as e-Skyactiv G, which is the badge this report is named after; the engine itself is the naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G described here. The engine has a strong track record from over a decade in the CX-5 and Mazda6, but it sits on the same new platform that gave the PHEV and diesel variants well-documented teething problems with the 8-speed automatic, suspension, and electronics.· more· less
Proven, reliable 2.5 NA engineSimplest CX-60 powertrain
New platform teething problemsTransmission calibration issues
Buy if: You want a mid-size SUV with a proven engine and can find a model-year-2025 build or one with all transmission and software TSBs completed.
Avoid if: You need a refined automatic gearbox or are considering an early 2022-2023 car without confirmed TSB completion.
Maintenance costs
€800 – €1,500/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€500 – €850 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€300 – €650 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Maintenance costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Mazda's new 8-speed automatic jerks during 1-2 upshifts and lurches at low speeds · more· less
The CX-60 uses an all-new Mazda-developed 8-speed automatic (8EC-AT) without a conventional torque converter. Owners widely report jerky, clunky behaviour at low speeds, particularly during 1-2 upshifts and when decelerating in traffic. The issue is worse in cold weather below 5 degrees Celsius, where the transmission does not immediately select the intended gear, causing delayed reactions when pulling away. Mazda released TSB R049/23 with a TCM software update that improves but does not fully eliminate the roughness; that bulletin was written for the European PHEV, so ask a dealer which calibration a non-hybrid car has actually received. Transmission control unit weaknesses have been reported between 35,000-45,000 km, causing unpredictable shifting and occasional gear sticking. In severe cases, Mazda has replaced the entire gearbox, which is an engine-out job taking approximately three weeks. Full transmission replacement costs approximately €3,000-3,500 at a specialist. Most cases are managed with free software updates, but the underlying behaviour is considered partly characteristic of this transmission design. Later production cars (2024+) have improved calibration software from the factory.
12V battery drain and low-voltage warnings
up to €5002 of 7
Undersized 12V battery drains within hours of parking, triggering warnings and no-start conditions · more· less
The CX-60 uses a small-capacity 12V battery that struggles to maintain adequate charge. Voltage can drop from 12.7V to below 12V within hours of parking. The charging system does not always deliver sufficient voltage to fully recharge the 12V battery during normal driving, with some owners measuring only mid-13 volts instead of the required 14.4V. Mazda issued TSB R003/23 (July 2023) with firmware updates for the BCM, ESU, and B-ECM modules. Results vary: some owners report the problem persists even after updates. A replacement 12V battery costs around €150-200 but the underlying issue may return. A trickle charger is recommended for cars not driven daily. The service programme often quoted here accompanied the M-Hybrid diesel campaign rather than being an all-variant action, so check what applies to the individual car.
Suspension noise and harsh ride
up to €1,2003 of 7
Front and rear suspension bushes squeak and creak, ride is harsh over uneven surfaces · more· less
Early CX-60s were produced with suboptimal shock absorber and stabiliser bar specifications. TSB R086/22 (updated April 2024) addresses ride quality on undulating roads: for cars built up to September 2022, both front and rear shocks plus stabiliser bars are replaced; for cars built September 2022 to August 2023, only rear shocks are replaced. Separately, front and rear suspension bushes squeak and creak, especially at low speeds over bumps and at full steering lock. Mazda's fix involves regreasing the bushes and installing updated dust cover kits, but the squeak often returns as the grease wears off. Some owners report that the suspension can feel overly reactive, with excessive rebound after bumps and poor directional stability at highway speeds above 110 km/h. Out of warranty, a complete suspension refresh including shocks and anti-roll bar bushes costs approximately €800-1,200. Mazda describes the model-year-2025 update, announced in November 2024, as the first comprehensive chassis revision, so earlier cars only have the piecemeal bulletin fixes.
Infotainment and software bugs
up to €5004 of 7
Dashboard blackouts, false warnings, and infotainment freezes on early production cars · more· less
Early CX-60 production suffered from numerous software issues. A software campaign covering cars built March 2022 to July 2024 addresses impaired functionality of the windscreen defroster, seat belt reminder, 360-degree view monitor, and automatic engine start-stop. The Mazda Connect infotainment system freezes, reboots, and drops Android Auto connections. DAB radio intermittently stops working. Mazda has released multiple firmware updates but OTA updates are not available, so all updates require a dealer visit. A quick reset is possible by holding the Mute, Nav, and Back buttons for 10 seconds. Most software issues are resolved at no cost under warranty or the recall. Out-of-warranty dealer diagnostic and reprogramming sessions cost approximately €100-500.
Power steering increased effort
up to €8005 of 7
Steering feels unexpectedly heavy due to grease displacement in the steering gear assembly · more· less
A 2024 recall addressed a manufacturing defect where excessive spring force in the power steering assembly pushes grease away from the gear teeth, causing a sticking condition and increased steering effort. Mazda determined the root cause in December 2023 and reduced the spring force in updated parts. Affected cars have the spring replaced and gear teeth regreased. While no accidents have been reported, the sudden increase in steering effort while driving could be dangerous. Recall repairs are free. Out-of-warranty steering rack repairs run approximately €500-800 for parts and labour. Not all CX-60s are affected, but early 2022-2023 cars should have this recall verified.
Intake valve carbon buildup
up to €8006 of 7
Direct-injection engine accumulates carbon deposits on intake valves over time · more· less
Like all direct-injection petrol engines, the 2.5 Skyactiv-G accumulates carbon deposits on the backs of intake valves because fuel is not sprayed over them to provide a cleaning effect. The high 14:1 compression ratio may contribute to deposit formation. Symptoms typically appear after 80,000-120,000 km and include rough idle, cold-start hesitation, and slight power loss. The PCV valve should be cleaned regularly to reduce deposit buildup. Professional walnut blasting to remove carbon costs approximately €400-800. This is a long-term maintenance item rather than a sudden failure, and many CX-5 and Mazda6 owners with the same engine report no issues even beyond 200,000 km with regular oil changes.
Paint stone chip vulnerability
up to €8007 of 7
Thin Mazda paint chips easily on the front bumper and bonnet · more· less
Mazda paint is measured at approximately 64-80 microns, nearly half the thickness of some competitors. The CX-60's upright front end is particularly susceptible to stone chips, with some owners reporting significant bumper damage within months of ownership. The premium Soul Red Crystal and Machine Grey colours are especially difficult and expensive to repair due to their multi-layer application. Touch-up paint costs around €30-50 but is difficult to match. Professional bumper respray costs €400-600. Paint protection film on the front end costs approximately €500-800 to apply and is strongly recommended for highway use.
Proven engine on a new platform that needed more development time
The 2.5 Skyactiv-G engine itself is one of Mazda's most reliable units, with over a decade of proven service in the CX-5 and Mazda6. However, the CX-60 platform it sits on introduced a new 8-speed automatic, new suspension geometry, and new electrical architecture that all had significant teething problems across early production. Without the PHEV's hybrid system or the diesel's turbo and emissions hardware, the 2.5 petrol is the lowest-risk CX-60 variant. Software updates improved the early cars, but Mazda calls the model-year-2025 revision its first comprehensive chassis change. Verify all TSBs and recalls completed, especially the transmission calibration and steering recall.
Service history
Complete Mazda dealer records essential. Verify all TSBs and software updates have been applied. The CX-60 has had an unusually high number of service bulletins for a Mazda.
Tires
Check tread depth and age. 235/50 R20 tires are expensive to replace. Look for uneven wear indicating alignment or suspension issues.
Cold start
Start engine completely cold. Listen for any unusual sounds. The engine should idle smoothly without hesitation.
Test drive
Drive for at least 30 minutes including urban stop-start traffic and highway speeds. Monitor for warning messages, transmission jerk, and steering feel.
Specific for this vehicle
Test low-speed transmission behaviour
Drive slowly in stop-start traffic. Feel for harsh 1-2 shifts, lurching during deceleration, or jerking when gently accelerating. Some roughness is considered normal but violent jolts are not.
Verify all recalls and TSBs completed
Request a dealer printout of applied recalls and TSBs for the market the car came from. The European campaigns quoted for the CX-60 were issued for PHEV, M-Hybrid diesel or accessory-wheel populations, so they are background rather than a checklist for this variant.
Check 12V battery voltage
If possible, measure 12V battery voltage with engine off (should be above 12.4V). Ask if the car has had 12V battery warnings or required jump starts.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Listen for suspension squeaks
Drive slowly over speed bumps and listen for creaking from front or rear suspension. Turn steering wheel to full lock at low speed and listen for clunks or squeaks.
Check build date on the B-pillar sticker
The comprehensive chassis revision only came with the model-year-2025 update announced in November 2024; earlier builds rely on individual bulletins, so have all of them verified.
Inspect front bumper and bonnet for stone chips
Mazda paint is thin. Look closely at the front end for chips, especially in Soul Red Crystal or Machine Grey colours.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
This naturally aspirated 2.5 was not marketed in Europe, so the European CX-60 campaigns do not attach to it. Their real scopes are worth knowing because the platform is shared: the engine failsafe shutdown action (29,470 vehicles) was issued for the European e-Skyactiv PHEV; the service programme often quoted here accompanied the 3.3 M-Hybrid diesel campaign; the accessory alloy wheel action used a June to December 2022 first-registration window rather than a production one; and the software campaign covered defects on 89,744 vehicles worldwide, of which 41,897 were European, including high-voltage battery cooling on the PHEV. For an imported car, ask a Mazda dealer to run the VIN against the register of the market it was first sold in.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (varies by market; 6 years / 150,000 km in Germany, 3 years / 60,000 miles in the UK before September 2025)Check remaining coverage: a German 2022 car can still be inside its 6-year term, while a UK 2022 car is outside its 3-year term.
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)Active on all CX-60 models
Paint warranty (3 years)Expired on 2022 models
Warranty terms differ by market, and a car imported from outside Europe follows the terms of the country it was sold in; European CX-60s carry 6 years or 150,000 km in Germany and, for UK cars registered before September 2025, 3 years or 60,000 miles, so a 2022 UK car is outside cover while a 2022 German car can still be inside it. Given the number of recalls and TSBs, confirm with Mazda whether any goodwill extensions apply to known issues on your specific car. Some TSB repairs may be covered beyond warranty at Mazda's discretion.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
