Mazda Has Mostly Fixed The CX-60 (Suspension Change & Transmission Update 2024 Review)

Summary

In response to criticism of the Mazda CX-60's initial ride quality and transmission issues, Tom Baker from Chasing Cars reviews the significant running changes made by Mazda, including suspension hardware and software updates. The upgrades have improved the ride by about 40%, making it more disciplined and comfortable, though not the best in its class. The transmission issues have been resolved, transforming the CX-60 from an initially unrecommendable vehicle to one that is now acceptable and worth test driving for those who prefer a firm and sporty ride.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The Mazda CX-60 had initial issues with ride quality, body control, and transmission calibration that were not acceptable to reviewers.
• ⏱ Mazda acknowledged these faults and made significant running changes to the suspension and transmission, both in terms of hardware and software, for new builds.
• 🆓 Early customers of the CX-60 are eligible for a free upgrade to the new suspension hardware and a software update at their dealer.
• 🔧 The changes made to the CX-60 were substantial and unusual for the industry, reflecting a serious response to criticism received at launch.
• 📈 Tom Baker, the reviewer, had previously run a long-term test of a CX-60 and found it impossible to recommend due to the aforementioned faults.
• 🔄 The upgraded CX-60 features new suspension hardware and software, as well as transmission software updates, which have improved the vehicle's performance.
• 🛣️ The improvements are most noticeable on bumpy roads, where the previous model suffered from poor damping and body control.
• 🚀 The ride quality has seen an estimated 40% improvement, moving from 'unpleasant' to 'acceptable', though still not the best in its class.
• 🔄 The transmission issues have been largely resolved with the software update, providing a smoother and more expected driving experience.
• 🚀 The CX-60 is now considered 'acceptable' and 'livable', a significant turnaround from its initial reception.
• 🌟 The response by Mazda to address the issues is seen as commendable and highlights the importance of independent road testing in vehicle evaluation.

Q & A

Who is the presenter of the 'Chasing Cars' video?

Tom Baker is the presenter of the 'Chasing Cars' video.

What was the initial issue with the Mazda CX-60 when it was first released?

The initial issues with the Mazda CX-60 included unacceptable ride quality, body control, and transmission calibration.

What changes did Mazda make to address the issues with the CX-60?

Mazda made significant running changes to the suspension hardware and the transmission software at the production line for new builds. They also offered a free upgrade to early customers, swapping out the suspension hardware and providing a software update.

How does the presenter describe the CX-60's ride quality before the upgrades?

The presenter describes the CX-60's ride quality before the upgrades as impossible to recommend due to its poor handling on normal and bumpy roads.

What was the main criticism of the CX-60's suspension before the upgrades?

The main criticism was that the car felt like the front and rear axles weren't communicating properly, with the front end feeling overdamped and the rear end underdamped and lacking control.

What improvements did the presenter notice after the suspension and transmission upgrades?

The presenter noticed a 40% improvement in ride quality and body control, making the CX-60 more disciplined and comfortable, especially over bumps. The transmission was also significantly improved, with the software update fixing previous issues.

How does the presenter suggest potential buyers approach a test drive of the upgraded CX-60?

The presenter suggests that potential buyers should test drive the CX-60, ideally overnight, to experience the firm ride and see if it aligns with their preferences for a premium SUV.

What was the initial reaction of the presenter to the CX-60's transmission before the software update?

The presenter found the transmission to be bizarrely calibrated, with a sound that resembled a slipping clutch effect, which was not expected for this type of automatic transmission.

How does the presenter evaluate the CX-60's ride after the upgrades in comparison to its competitors?

While the CX-60's ride is improved and now acceptable, the presenter still considers other vehicles in the class, such as the BMW X3 with adaptive dampers and the Volkswagen Touareg with air suspension, to be better.

What does the presenter emphasize about Mazda's response to the criticism and the subsequent upgrades?

The presenter emphasizes the importance of Mazda's acknowledgment of the issues and their proactive approach in making significant changes to address the criticism, which should be celebrated.

What role does independent road testing play according to the presenter's perspective?

According to the presenter, independent road testing is crucial for providing an unvarnished opinion on vehicles, which can lead manufacturers to address and correct issues, as seen with the Mazda CX-60.

Outlines

00:00

🔧 Mazda CX-60 Suspension & Transmission Upgrades

Tom Baker, the presenter, discusses the significant improvements made by Mazda to the CX-60 in response to critical reviews. Initially, the vehicle's ride quality, body control, and transmission calibration were deemed unacceptable. Mazda acknowledged these issues and made bold changes to the suspension hardware and software, as well as the transmission software. These upgrades are available for new builds and as a free upgrade for early customers. The video aims to determine if these upgrades have successfully addressed the previous faults. The presenter shares his experience with the upgraded CX-60, noting that while the car still has a firm and sporty ride, which is in line with Mazda's intention, the improvements have made it more disciplined and comfortable, especially over bumpy roads. The 40% improvement in ride quality and body control makes the CX-60 more livable and recommendable for test driving.

05:03

🚗 Evaluating the Impact of Mazda's Upgrades on CX-60

This section delves deeper into the specifics of the CX-60's upgrades and their impact on the vehicle's performance. The suspension hardware has been completely replaced, and the shock absorbers have been retuned, resulting in a more disciplined ride, particularly over rough surfaces. While the car still exhibits some float from the rear end, the overall body control has improved noticeably. The transmission, which was previously criticized for its bizarre calibration, has been significantly improved with a software update, simulating a torque converter automatic and providing a smoother, more seamless driving experience. The presenter concludes that the CX-60 is now acceptable and worth considering, highlighting the importance of independent road testing in driving improvements in vehicle design and performance.

10:05

🛣️ The Importance of Independent Road Testing

In the final paragraph, the focus shifts to the role of independent road testing in the automotive industry. The presenter emphasizes the importance of honest and unbiased reviews in identifying and addressing vehicle issues. The Mazda CX-60's case study illustrates how constructive criticism can lead to significant improvements in vehicle performance. The presenter commends Mazda for addressing the issues and for the transparency in making the necessary upgrades. The video concludes by reinforcing the value of independent testing in ensuring that vehicles meet consumer expectations and industry standards.

Keywords

💡Mazda CX60

The Mazda CX60 is a specific model of vehicle produced by the Japanese automaker Mazda. It is the central subject of the video script, where it is discussed in the context of significant updates made to address initial criticisms regarding its ride quality and transmission issues. The script mentions that the CX60, upon its launch, faced issues with its ride quality and transmission calibration, which Mazda has since acknowledged and addressed with hardware and software updates.

💡Ride Quality

Ride quality refers to the comfort and smoothness of a vehicle's suspension system, which affects how passengers feel while the car is in motion. In the video script, it is a critical aspect of the CX60's initial problems, with the reviewer noting that the car's ride was 'not acceptable' at launch due to issues with the damping system. The script discusses the improvements made to the CX60's ride quality after the updates.

💡Body Control

Body control in a vehicle relates to how well the body maintains stability and composure during movement, particularly when navigating turns or uneven surfaces. The script mentions that the CX60's body control was not acceptable at first, with the car feeling overly stiff at the front and lacking control at the rear. The updates to the suspension are said to have notably improved the body control.

💡Transmission Calibration

Transmission calibration is the process of adjusting the automatic transmission's settings to optimize the vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency. The video script criticizes the CX60's initial transmission calibration as being 'not acceptable,' with the reviewer describing a strange slipping effect. The script later notes that Mazda has addressed this issue with a software update, resulting in a significant improvement.

💡Running Change

A running change in the automotive industry refers to modifications made to a vehicle's design or components after its initial launch, often in response to customer feedback or to improve performance. The script discusses a 'significant running change' made by Mazda to the CX60's suspension and transmission, which was a response to the criticism received at launch.

💡Suspension Hardware

Suspension hardware encompasses the physical components of a vehicle's suspension system, including shock absorbers, springs, and other parts that contribute to the vehicle's ride quality and handling. The script mentions that Mazda swapped out the entire suspension hardware of the CX60 as part of the running change, which was a significant step in improving the vehicle's ride.

💡Software Update

A software update in the context of vehicles refers to changes made to the computer programs that control various systems, such as the engine management or transmission. The script highlights that Mazda issued a software update for the CX60's transmission, which was crucial in resolving the initial calibration issues and improving the driving experience.

💡Long-Term Review

A long-term review is a type of vehicle evaluation where the reviewer lives with the car for an extended period, typically several months, to assess its performance, reliability, and overall suitability for everyday use. The script references a long-term review of the CX60 by the same reviewer, where the initial issues with the vehicle were identified and critiqued.

💡Upgrade

In the context of the script, an upgrade refers to the improvements made to the CX60 after its initial release. This includes both hardware changes to the suspension and software updates to the transmission. The script notes that these upgrades were offered free of charge to early customers, demonstrating Mazda's commitment to addressing the issues.

💡Bumpy Roads

Bumpy roads are uneven or poorly surfaced roads that can cause discomfort and challenge a vehicle's suspension system. The script uses bumpy roads as a test for the updated CX60, to see if the improvements to the suspension have resolved the previous issues with the car's ride quality on such surfaces.

💡Independent Road Testing

Independent road testing refers to the evaluation of vehicles by third-party organizations or individuals who are not affiliated with the manufacturer, ensuring unbiased feedback on the vehicle's performance. The script concludes by emphasizing the importance of such testing in identifying and prompting the resolution of issues like those found in the initial CX60.

Highlights

Mazda acknowledged faults in the CX60's ride quality, body control, and transmission calibration and made significant running changes.

The CX60 underwent both hardware and software updates to the suspension and transmission at the production line for new builds.

Owners of early CX60 models are eligible for a free upgrade, including suspension hardware swap and software updates.

The reviewer had previously found the CX60 impossible to recommend due to the initial faults.

The upgraded CX60 has improved ride quality and body control, moving from 'impossible to recommend' to 'acceptable'.

The reviewer noted a 40% improvement in ride quality and body control after the upgrades.

The car's firm and sporty ride has been maintained intentionally by Mazda, contrary to some media reports suggesting a softening.

The initial problems with the CX60's suspension felt like the front and rear axles were not in sync.

Mazda completely swapped out the suspension hardware and revisited the suspension tune, addressing the previous issues.

The transmission calibration was bizarre and problematic straight from the factory, especially with the diesel and plug-in hybrid models.

The software update for the transmission has resulted in a 'night and day' difference, fixing previous issues.

The reviewer suggests test driving the CX60 overnight to experience the firm ride and determine if it meets personal preferences.

The CX60's ride is now more disciplined, especially noticeable over the worst bumps.

While there is still room for improvement, the CX60 is no longer bucking over multiple bumps, making the suspension acceptable.

The reviewer emphasizes the importance of independent road testing and how it can influence manufacturers to address issues.

Mazda's response to criticism and the subsequent fixes demonstrate the effectiveness of road testing and consumer feedback.

Transcripts

I'm Tom Baker this is chasing cars and

next to me is a Mazda cx60 when the cx60

first came out last year its ride

quality was not acceptable its body

control was not acceptable its

transmission calibration was not

acceptable it took a bit of time but

Mazda itself has now acknowledged these

faults and it's taken the Bold step of

making a significant running change to

the suspension and the transmission of

the cx60 both the hardware and in the

case of the transmission also the

software at the production line for new

builds while customers who took delivery

of early 660s are eligible for a free

upgrade at their dealer where the

suspension Hardware will be swapped out

and the car will also have a software

update these sorts of running changes

happen from time to time but they're not

usually this significant and it is a

response to the criticism the cx60

received on launch including from this

Outlet because if you're a subscriber

you'll know that I ran a dark blue cx60

diesel for 6 months and found that these

faults meant the car was impossible to

recommend now the upgrade is ready and

the white cx60 aami SP diesel 6-cylinder

next to me is identical to my long-ter

except for the paint color and the fact

that it has the upgraded suspension and

transmission this video has a simple

premise have the upgrades worked let's

find out chasing cars honest reviews of

your next car brought to you

by but we can't film this video at our

test track at least not the actual

driving commentary because while it's a

great facility it is very smooth and for

this video we need bumps because bumps

were what were upsetting the Mazda

cx60 that and bad transmission

calibration and in this video I'm going

to be addressing whether or not those

things have been fixed by the emergency

running change that's been made to the

cx60 in response to criticism of these

two factors criticism which included our

long-term review which was pretty

forceful if you're a subscriber you will

have seen my comments about the cx60

good and bad after living with one in a

very similar specification to this for 6

months and if you want to know my

thoughts about the interior and the

price and other factors of the vehicle

some of which are very good points make

sure you look at that long-term review

of the blue beast but today we're in a

white car which is otherwise identical

inspect to my long termer it's a diesel

6-cylinder aami SP except

that this vehicle has the new suspension

Hardware it's got the new suspension

software and it's got the new

transmission software as well and I'm

pleased to report that the changes have

partially worked thank goodness because

this program would not have been cheap

for Mazda for a car company to not only

make a sudden change at the production

line level to all new suspension

Hardware which would of course have had

to have been tested at The Proving

Ground and then put into production

that's expensive but Mazda is even going

as far as offering the hardware change

and the uh software update to owners of

vehicles which were already on the road

that was basically CX 60s built in the

first 6 months of production now we

don't usually see stuff like this

happening and is of course a tased

acknowledgement of the fact that this

car was not right from when production

started now often you know the first

year of cars we generally you know

suggest avoiding the first year the

teething problems have to be ironed out

but this was a big teething problem so

what was the problem to summarize the

car felt like the front and the rear

axles weren't talking to each other in

terms of the damping it felt overdamped

and really stiff at the front end and

underdamped poorly disciplined and

lacking control at the rear end which

was unpleasant on normal roads while

commuting and really really awful and

noticeable on bumpy country roads just

like the one we're driving on today

which if you're from Sydney you might

know this road it's the one that runs

down to Akuna Bay nice Road speed limit

isn't too high a lot of people like to

tour on this road but it's really poorly

surfaced with no sign of improvements on

the way so perfect for our purposes

today what has Mazda done well on the

suspension front it's a pretty

significant change because the hardware

has been swapped out completely

different shock absorber and there's

also a different tune on the suspension

M has gone back and Revisited the tune

they say they've only mentioned the rear

tune but the front also feels like it's

had a little bit of a rune as well

although it wasn't as problematic at the

front end then there's also new software

in terms of transmission calibration and

you know what it has largely worked I'm

not going to go out and tell you that

everything is perfectly fixed everything

is perfectly good and the cx60 rides as

well as say a BMW X3 on adaptive dampers

but it is noticeably better than before

I'm going to go ahead and call it about

a 40% Improvement in the ride situation

now it's still firm it's still quite

sporty which I think is bda's intention

for the cx60 this car isn't meant to be

soft and floppy and I've read a few

media reports suggesting that the change

was intended to make it softer I don't

think that's true I think that firm you

know plenty of Road feel sort of

attitude is what Mazda wants for its

Vehicles including the cx60 instead of

making it softer what the change has

done is to make the CX 60s ride more

disciplined and if particular the body

control Improvement is very noticeable

over the worst of bumps where the body

vertically pitches up and down you still

do feel a little bit too much float from

the rear end and things can still jump

around a little bit in the boot if

they're not tied down but it is

considerably less so than before and

that's really on the worst bumps on the

sort of standard bumpy poorly surfaced

Country Roads the whole experience is

much more pleasant much more comfortable

much more settled there are still cars

in the class which are better I

mentioned the X3 on adaptive I also

think the Volkswagen tour egg on air

suspension for instance is better than

this car but it's a damn site better

than what was coming out of the factory

at the start and that's good as I

mentioned there are still some moments

where the rear end feels like it's not

tied down enough and still not perfectly

in sync with a relatively crisp

relatively well damped front end I think

the front is maybe not quite as over

damped as it was before the rear is

still a little bit underdamped but less

so than before you might even be able to

notice in this PTC a little bit of that

sort of head toss vertical motions a

little especially there exactly

illustrating my point the vertical

motion is a little bit exaggerated but

definitely less so than before so I'm

going to go ahead and call it a 40%

Improvement in terms of ride it's now at

the point where it's not a factor that

would have me recommend that you simply

don't buy this car which is where I was

at with it before I I now think it's

worth test driving but if possible try

and get a cx60 test drive overnight so

you can see whether the firm ride

actually reflects the characteristics

that you want from a premium SUV but now

I'm going to go ahead and say that it's

definitely livable the better news comes

on the transmission front the

transmission was really bizarre in terms

of its calibration from Factory uh

across all of the powertrains but

especially the diesel and the plug-in

hybrid which I haven't tested after it

received the same upgrades just like for

like with my long-term tester which was

diesel like this car the transmission is

night and day different it is much

better than it was before the update it

used to do really weird stuff it sounded

like it it sounded like slipping clutch

effect even though that shouldn't be

happening on this particular type of

automatic it kind of sounded like a boss

like a like a weird single clutch

automatic now it honestly does a good

simulation of a tourque converter

automatic which is exactly what I want

from an auto in a vehicle like this you

just don't want to think about it

pulling away

here shifting

crisply nothing to remark just working

like a normal Auto so I'm going to go

ahead and say that Mazda have solved the

transmission issues with the software

update that they've done for this car at

least on the diesel though I think to

you know draw a final line under all

this all of this recent unpleasantness

about the cx60 we probably do need to

test the petrol and also the plug-in

hybrid the plug-in hybrid was the one

that suffered the worst particularly in

the ride department but when it comes to

the diesel the ride is better the

transmission's fixed good to see Mazda

at least getting out on the front foot

and addressing these problems even if I

think a big established car manufacturer

like Mazda who's been doing this for a

long time they should have got this

stuff right the first time but you know

what at least they're addressing it now

so the summary of my findings I've said

that there's a 40% Improvement in the

overall ride of the cx60 both the ride

quality and especially the body control

it now moves the cx60 from really quite

unpleasant to drive on a bumpy road to

acceptable it's still not the most plush

or the best rounded vehicle in the

segment but I think I could live with it

and I think if you actually like quite a

lot of Road feel and firmness you will

like the cx60 and the fact that it's no

longer bucking crazily over multiple

bumps means that the suspension is now

okay I could certainly live with it and

the transmission well as far as I'm

concerned on the diesel that's fixed so

that is definitely a win the cx60 wasn't

able to be considered in my estimation

before now but the upgrade has made it

acceptable and that goes to show Mazda

has realized the error have largely

corrected the error and that should be

celebrated but I think it's also a

moment to reflect on the importance of

independent Road testing that's what we

do here at Chasing Cars we're powered by

budget direct which means that we can

give you our straight opinion about the

vehicles that we test good bad

unvarnished we called out this car for

not being good enough our criticism was

joined by others Mazda have largely

fixed the problem that's the way Road

testing should work that's what we do

here at Chasing Cars