2023 Mazda CX-60 Garners 5-Star ANCAP Score

New Mazda CX-60 undergoing crash-tests with the ANCAP assessment body.

The new 2023 Mazda CX-60 has been subjected to a round of crash-tests by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The effort aligns with the model’s recent introduction into the Australian market and, fortunately, it managed to earn itself an impressive 5-star score by the body.

The 5-star safety rating applies to all variants of the 5-seat crossover SUV, which is on sale Down Under with a range of in-line 6-cyl turbo petrol and diesel powertrains, plus a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup – the marque’s first, in fact.

Mazda's latest mid-sized crossover SUV stemming from its new Large Product Group scored an impressive 5-star rating from the assessment body.

Besides high-scores in the Adult and Child Occupant Protection, the CX-60 also achieved full scores in the side and far-side impact, oblique pole, and rescue and extraction tests by the ANCAP.

Though the score is being published in Australia in 2023, the CX-60 was also tested in Europe last year under the Euro NCAP's 2020-2022 test protocols – which were superseded by stricter standards this year. It’s worth noting that this latest tests by ANCAP were performed using new and stricter protocols.

Impressively, the CX-60 scored over 90% for both Adult and Child Occupation Protection – 91% and 93% respectively. For the latter, ANCAP also notes the CX-60’s rear seats allow the installation of all selected child restraints tested by the independent assessors, thus its near-perfect score on this front.

Besides that, the ANCAP assessment body also gave full scores for the SUV in the side and far-side impact, oblique pole, and rescue and extraction tests.

Slotted above the CX-5 with a slightly longer and wider body, the CX-60 also adopts a RWD setup driven by a series of MHEV and PHEV in-line 6-cyl powerplants.

Introduced globally in April last year, the CX-60 is positioned above the Mazda brand’s highly successful CX-5 offering, sitting just slightly longer and wider in size too. The first offering from Mazda’s new Large Product Group Model, it features both a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) setup plus both PHEV and mild-hybrid (MHEV) in-line 6-cyl powertrains options.

The model was recently launched in Philippines too where it marked its regional ASEAN market debut under Malaysian-owned brand custodian Bermaz. This is perhaps clear enough indication that the CX-60 will make its way into the Malaysian market.

As to when that will happen, this remains unclear for now, though insiders at Bermaz have hinted to CariCarz.com that the model is being considered for the local market already. However, despite several sources speculating a launch sometime later this year, we reckon it will arrive next year in 2024 instead.