Towcar of the Month: Mazda CX-60

Towing capacity and power

It actually has a 2,500kg towing capacity, which means almost every caravan now on sale in the UK can be towed by this five-seat SUV. However, with a kerbweight of 2,000kg, it is recommended not to go above 85% of this (1,700kg) if you’re relatively new to caravanning and never go above 100% of the kerb weight.  So, we hitched up to a brand- new 2025 Sprite Major 4 SB Exclusive, which has an MTPLM of 1,491kg – typical of a single-axle family caravan. It’s likely buyers of this new Sprite, which was kindly supplied by Nottinghamshire-based dealer, Lowdhams, will also have towcars such as this Mazda on their shopping list. 

Once hitched up, we put the Mazda into Towing Mode – there are four settings on the Mi-Drive, which can be set via a switch on the centre console – Normal, Sport, Off Road and Towing. 

With Towing selected, the Mazda optimises power by reducing the loss of driving performance due to the increased weight of the caravan. It also improves vehicle stability, which is further enhanced when the Trailer Stability Control kicks in, which operates at 40mph or faster. 

TSC operates when vehicle sway occurs during towing and controls 

Select Towing and the car is ready to tow a caravan; The towbar appears at the touch of a button; Towing mirrors are easy to fit 

The CX-60 has a powerful diesel engine 

Thanks to the output of the brakes and the engine to suppress the swaying. 

On test, the Towing mode certainly managed the power output and led to extremely smooth standing starts, even when pulling across a busy road and on hill starts, but it also appeared to struggle a little with optimising the power output in quick-then-slow- then-quick moving traffic.  That said, it was a million times better than trying to optimise it oneself with a clutch and manual gear changes! 

Tech

This use of stress-reduction technology has made towing so much easier and more relaxing than it was even five years ago. As a family car, the Mazda is equally impressive. This model was the mid-spec Homura version (there are three specification options: the lower-specced Exclusive Line, the Homura and the high-spec Takumi). This means it had loads of goodies to ensure all the passengers are as comfortable and relaxed as the driver. Goodies such as a 12-speaker Bose sound system, heated and ventilated front seats (and heated rear outer seats), 20in black metallic alloy wheels, LED headlights, electric steering wheel adjustment, a host of driver and safety aids and even a facial recognition camera that will automatically restore the chosen saved seating and other vehicle setting preferences each time you climb into the driver’s seat. It also came with – of course – a Mazda towbar system (£803), which, while electric, needs a manual hand to put it into position when retracting or extending it. This model also had Mazda’s £1,900 Convenience and Driver Assistance Pack, which has loads of driver assistance and safety aids and, something that is great for hitching up, a 360-degree view monitor. Indeed, the rear camera is so crystal-clear it is going to be hard to live without now we have used it. What we also appreciated was the Mazda M Hybrid Boost – a 48V mild-hybrid system – not just because it improves fuel economy and environmental performance but because the support provided by the motor when pulling away from a standing start and help delivering smoothness during gear shifts can really be felt.