RAV 4 PHEV vs Mazda CX-60

[Scout117]

Hi All,

Been looking to get bigger car so was considering getting the RAV 4 PHEV when they start taking new orders or a newish 2nd hand and the Mazda CX-60.

Has anyone tested the Mazda CX - 60 comes in similar price range but looks so good though seems a lot bigger then RAV 4 and looks premium.

Though looking from reviews seems to be getting a lot of complaints with suspension and the jerkiness of the gearbox not as smooth as the e-cvt toyotas have.

Just wanted to know your thoughts if anyone has tried both as cannot find a lot of comparisons on Youtube.

I have heard that Mazda is reliable but not sure if it matches Toyota's reliability . Never owned or sat in a Mazda before. 

Thanks

[kucyk]

Can't you test drive it? If you are talking about PHEV, it's a decent car as far as I'm concerned. 

[ernieb]

Not driven a CX-60 but did test drive the CX-5 and found the suspension very hard just not comfortable at all for my old bones. The RAV4 PHEV is still towards firm but so much better for me, feels planted.  I've had mine for 2 years now and enjoy driving it every time I get into the car. I can easily drive long distances and get out feeling fine.

Suggest you test drive both on the same day if possible and compare and contrast.

[Flatcoat]

The CX60 does get criticised for its ride but I wouldn’t solely rely on road test comments. I would drive one before deciding - have you enquired on a Mazda forum? I will admit the Mazda is enticing (on paper) and albeit the EV mileage is lower than the RAV, the tow weight limit is far higher and interior in a different league. 

[philip42h]

I've no experience of the CX-60 at all ...

Reading the brochure it says:

Quote

Mazda’s new eight-speed automatic transmission ...
The new transmission replaces the torque converter with a clutch, so that the torque of the engine and the electric motor is transmitted directly, with a similar fast shifting feel akin to a manual transmission.

which makes it sound like an automated manual ... ?

I couldn't find any details on how the AWD system is implemented so I'd guess a fairly traditional torque split device?

In terms of size, it is longer, wider and lower than the RAV4 ...

It would appear that Mazda dealers have cars in stock for almost immediate delivery while the 'waiting list' for a RAV4 is rather absurdly long. I'm not sure what that says about the respectives cars / manufacturers?

As others have said, you'll need to take one / both for a test drive ... and do let us know how you feel after that ... 🙂

[Roger_N]

I was also thinking about the Mazda CX-60, although as yet have not had a test drive, it was the 2.5 PHEV  Homura I was looking at. Most of the extra length is in the engine compartment to accommodate the diesel straight engine, I really don’t understand this option in the UK.

 

It looks very nice inside and well laid out, if you add the both extra packs you get most of the goodies you could want but it adds an extra £2000 to the price but having said that I had an offer on Carwow just before Easter for £5000 of list (not including the extra packs), this makes it cheaper than the Rav4 HEV Excel??

[Nigz]

I put down a deposit on a Mazda CX60 last year on the understanding it would be refunded if I did not like the test drive (there was a delay in having cars ready to test drive).

Earlier in 2022 pre-production models were made available to the motoring press. There were negative comments on ride quality, gear changing and refinement particularly when the petrol engine cuts in. Mazda apparently assured them that these were pre-production models and the problems would be sorted for subsequent production models.

Alas when I test drove the car in September, all the above vices were still present. The delay in depressing the accelerator and the car moving off, say at a roundabout, was most galling. Other comments; the finish on the interior was excellent, the door closing was tinny and this is a "big" car on the road and for parking compared to RAV 4 even though on paper the dimensions are only a bit more.

I think Mazda will probably iron things out in the next year but I was not going to spend £40k+on what is effectively an unsorted pre-production car. I fear Mazda may have a "White Elephant " on their hands. Witness the 100s for sale on Auto Trader for a model that is only 6 months old with new discounts of £6000 even on lower spec cars. Does not bode well for residuals.

Obviously the RAV 4 PHEV is an older model but pretty much totally "sorted" in every area. My sole small criticism is it not very nimble on twisty roads compared to say it's stablemate the bZ4X (both 2 ton cars).

So my order for RAV4 PHEV was made in September 2022.....given other posts I am not expecting delivery any time soon!!

 

 

 

[TonyHSD]

When we are talking about hybrids, either hev or phev Toyota are still the dominant manufacturer by far ahead of everyone else. The idea of Toyota hybrids it’s not just efficiency or dynamic characteristics, ev range or Battery capacity but the overall package, drivability, reliability, maintenance cost., all of these are absolute winner for Toyota. All other manufacturers hybrid technology it’s a complex system petrol and electric combined together, which has some benefits but also brings along some negatives too and add to the maintenance cost and reliability, where Toyota power split device hybrids are simplified combination of petrol engine and electric motor with a relatively small Battery which store a small amount of energy and makes it available at any one time to help the petrol engine propel the car in most efficient way without using traditional gearbox ( transmission). The phev version just add extra Battery power and some extra thermo management system similar to full evs, but when you run out of battery power your phev Toyota hybrid is as good as non phev Toyota hybrid, where others not so much. All these Nissan, Honda, Renault hybrids that has their engines not directly driving the wheels are more of a electric cars with range extender than a typical full hybrid like Toyota. Interior, equipment, exterior look , materials etc really are down to personal preferences, Toyota aren’t the best in these terms but as a hybrid tech definitely still a number one. 👌

[Flatcoat]

2 hours ago, Nigz said:

I put down a deposit on a Mazda CX60 last year on the understanding it would be refunded if I did not like the test drive (there was a delay in having cars ready to test drive).

Earlier in 2022 pre-production models were made available to the motoring press. There were negative comments on ride quality, gear changing and refinement particularly when the petrol engine cuts in. Mazda apparently assured them that these were pre-production models and the problems would be sorted for subsequent production models.

Alas when I test drove the car in September, all the above vices were still present. The delay in depressing the accelerator and the car moving off, say at a roundabout, was most galling. Other comments; the finish on the interior was excellent, the door closing was tinny and this is a "big" car on the road and for parking compared to RAV 4 even though on paper the dimensions are only a bit more.

I think Mazda will probably iron things out in the next year but I was not going to spend £40k+on what is effectively an unsorted pre-production car. I fear Mazda may have a "White Elephant " on their hands. Witness the 100s for sale on Auto Trader for a model that is only 6 months old with new discounts of £6000 even on lower spec cars. Does not bode well for residuals.

Obviously the RAV 4 PHEV is an older model but pretty much totally "sorted" in every area. My sole small criticism is it not very nimble on twisty roads compared to say it's stablemate the bZ4X (both 2 ton cars).

So my order for RAV4 PHEV was made in September 2022.....given other posts I am not expecting delivery any time soon!!

 

 

 

Adverts and cars actually being available are 2 separate issues. Some Toyota dealers have a habit of advertising cars that do not exist - as do other brand dealers. 

[Cyker]

2 hours ago, Nigz said:

The delay in depressing the accelerator and the car moving off, say at a roundabout, was most galling.

I've found this to be a very common problem with all the semi-autos, like the MMT/single-clutch and DSG/double-clutch automatic gearboxes, that I've ever driven, and one reason I'd always preferred manuals until I got the Yaris hybrid, because that split-second engagement delay can be the difference between a safe and slightly iffy emerge!

The hybrid drivetrains have no clutches and are always engaged, so they move like the proverbial off a shovel from a standstill   It almost makes me want a full EV (If it wasn't for the high bulk, terrible range and shoddy charging infrastructure...)

That said, the one back-step to that is the ADAS system in all new cars, which can stop the car if it thinks you're going to hit something - This has retarded the accelerator and left me stranded briefly in the middle of a junction or slowed down my emerge for a short moment more than once, which is a very unpleasant experience!

 

[philip42h]

32 minutes ago, Flatcoat said:

Adverts and cars actually being available are 2 separate issues. Some Toyota dealers have a habit of advertising cars that do not exist - as do other brand dealers. 

The Mazda website allows one to "see available stock". So my local dealer (20 miles away) has 8 CX-60 PHEVs available within 14 days - these are specific grades, colours and options. If I expand the search to 90 miles that number rises to 226. OK, so it could be all fraudulent but, without further checking, it doesn't seem that way ...

[Flatcoat]

1 hour ago, philip42h said:

The Mazda website allows one to "see available stock". So my local dealer (20 miles away) has 8 CX-60 PHEVs available within 14 days - these are specific grades, colours and options. If I expand the search to 90 miles that number rises to 226. OK, so it could be all fraudulent but, without further checking, it doesn't seem that way ...

If those ads are for the same dealership chain they will almost certainly be the same cars available to whoever sells first. Those adverts can often be weeks or even months old and advertising stock now sold. There is no legal requirement for the advertiser to update the ads every time a car is sold. I have had hard experience of these ads with Toyota and Hyundai dealers so am somewhat skeptical.