Louth Motors: Bigger is netter, right?

I get it; we all want more and are generally unhappy with our lot. It’s the human condition and very few don’t succumb to this want or is it a need?

Anyway, the CX-60 is optically and physically a bigger version of the sublime CX-5 which for my money is all the Mazda SUV you’ll need. It’s a car that carries out a multitude of functions for a multiple of family scenarios and is a wonderful car.

But the bigger “and better” version, the CX-60 is here now. It’s the flagship model now on sale in Ireland but I can’t help wonder if we are getting it here because it’s sold in other markets.

I don’t think Ireland has been screaming for it as we are drawn like moths to lights for the likes of the Sportage, Tucson and RAV4’s which the CX-5 battles nicely against. I’m not complaining because there is nothing wrong with more choice, is there?

Koda design principles govern everything Mazda does and therefore it’s unsurprising that their range is the motoring equivalent of the Russian Doll.

The CX-60 cements this principle and from a distance seasoned motoring journalists will struggle to say if it is a CX-5 or CX-60. What’s really noticeable about the CX-60 design is the front and bonnet.

It is large and substantial and you’d easily fit a V6 or V8 engine in there and it would then deliver what it looks like it can deliver.

There’s a 3.3l diesel coming soon so maybe that’s why it is so big. And the fact that diesel is coming is also a bit of a head scratching conundrum that I’ve yet to process.

The rest of the car is Mazda normal and I had it in that beautiful shade of red that Mazda seems to have perfected making me wonder why all their cars are not that wonderful colour called Soul Red Crystal.

I read a few years ago that Mazda see themselves as the Japanese BMW equivalent and between them and Honda, it’s a fair comparison.

This car will try to lure you away from the X3 and if that is the model with the cross hairs on it then they need to be worried. Primarily because of the interior and the very high levels of quality that Mazda have brought to the CX-60, indeed all their range.

It’s modern, exquisitely laid out being both stylish and functionally it’s possibly the best there is out there.

Mazda remain wedded to a rotary controller and buttons eschewing touch which this driver can’t find any fault with.

The dash and central displays are clear and intuitive to use. All drivers’ benefit from this effortless arrangement, affirming that you are totally in control.

The interconnectivity between the petrol engine and the electric motor in PHEVs is very varied and each has their own special way of doing it. All claim theirs is the best, most efficient and smoothest.

Well, all PHEV’s are not made equal and I’d say the Mazda method needs a bit more honing. It doesn’t disguise completely which one is working and when the other drive source takes over.

There’s a noticeable feeling when it transitions which some purists might say is a way of reminding you what’s going on. What’s going on is some serious mechanical wizardry.

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I have to say I got used to it and forgot about it really quickly but some drivers might not appreciate it.

The CX-60 is not what most people would describe as a comfortable car. Firm would be a better adjective. In town, on our patchwork repair road network, this is most noticeable.

For its size I didn’t detect much lateral movement going around bends and was charmed by it’s effortless grunt.

Prices for the eSkyactiv-G PHEV start at €54,100 and there are 4 trim levels all with just the one engine. It’s a 2.5l petrol plug-in hybrid producing 241PS with an all-electric range of 63kms.

Considering where this car will be driven that could be all someone would need for a day’s driving and very close to the national overall average of approx. 80kms per day.

It’s currently Mazda’s most powerful model produced and the CX-60 has a 0-100km/h performance capability of 5.8s – fast. There is a 570litre boot (including the hidden space) but for a car this size there should be more.

If you have the budget for the biggest Mazda and plum for it, overall I’d say you’d be pleased with the added prestige.

I just wonder if the best CX-5 isn’t the more compelling option if you can live without the biggest Mazda bragging rights.

Next week we reacquaint with Elon, this time in his Model Y.