Mazda's best SUV yet? Forget Toyota, the CX-60 is going after its premium rivals with entirely electrified line-up in Australia - but you'll have to wait...

The Mazda CX-60 will launch in Australia with an entirely electrified line-up in Australia, including the debut of a new plug-in hybrid powertrain and two mild-hybrid setups, with the new SUV presenting the brand's most premium play to date.

But there is bad news sprinkled among the good, and that is that, while Mazda suggests this is an SUV worth waiting for, you will also actually have to  wait for it, with the flagship model now not expected to arrive in Australia until "the first half of 2023".

Now more likely to be March or April next year, the new model was originally expected to arrive in Australia before the end of 2022.

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The delay, says Mazda, is down to a local testing program on a number of key criteria including powertrain stress-testing, towing capability, performance and quality assurance. The decision to launch with electrified engines from the off will also have pushed timings back.

In total, “more than 30,000 kilometres will be covered during the testing phase”, according to Mazda, with all data to be sent back to the brand’s research and development headquarters in Hiroshima, Japan.

“Australia is considered a key market for contributing to the worldwide vehicle testing regime due to its unique road composition and climatic conditions,” the brand said.

When it does arrive, the CX-60 will be packing some handy powertrain options, headlined by a new plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Mazda’s first production plug-in hybrid model will pair a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder Skyactiv-G engine with a 100kW electric motor and a 17.8kWh high-capacity lithium-ion battery. 

The brand says you will get a total output of 241kW and 500Nm - enough to make it the most powerful Mazda road car to date - and a pure EV driving range in excess of 60kms.

Also on offer are two 48-volt mild-hybrid systems - one petrol, one diesel. 

The CX-60 is expected to launch locally in March or April next year.

The first is a 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D turbo-diesel, good for 187kW and 550Nm. And there's the 3.3-litre turbo-petrol, good for 209kW and 450Nm. Both offer the i-Activ All-Wheel Drive system, and pair with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Mazda CX-60 will be offered in Evolve, GT and Azami specifications, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a powered boot and keyless entry appearing as standard across the range.

“The CX-60 represents a whole new chapter for Mazda and introduces a series of firsts for the brand: an all-new platform; full plug-in hybrid technology; rear-biased all-wheel drive and state-of-the-art longitudinal powerplants," says Mazda Australia managing director, Vinesh Bhindi.

“All of this is wrapped in our beautifully restrained Kodo Design evolution, and as we draw closer to the local introduction of this authentically premium vehicle, the 14,500+ expressions of interest we have already received are a clear indication of the level of anticipation that already surrounds Mazda CX-60.”

The CX-60 will offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Mazda has previously described the CX-60 as a step up from the CX-5, with the brand clearly targeting a more premium buyer group.

"The CX-60 is an extension of our range, which means Mazda owners, Mazda fans, will have an additional option to consider prior to them thinking, ‘maybe I need to move to another brand’,” Mr Bindi told CarsGuide at the international launch of the new car in Portugal.

“Customers reach a point where they want something more luxurious, whatever that means to them, so they say ‘thanks Mazda, I’ve enjoyed all that, but I want to move up, to reward myself’, whatever it is, so they flow out of the brand to somewhere else.

“We think that’s a good market to say, ‘hey, we’re back in the game for you guys, so have a look at this.’"