Mazda’s First Plug-In Hybrid Sends Over 300 HP Through Its Rear Wheels

Mazda's first-ever plug-in hybrid crossover has been teased ahead of its upcoming March 8 debut. For a crossover destined for the cramped cities of Europe and Japan, the 2023 Mazda CX-60 puts down a respectable 300-hp through its new rear-wheel drive platform. It's also likely a preview of what we can expect in upcoming U.S. Mazdas, too. 

Plenty Of Power

Mazda's first PHEV doesn't disappoint with that power output. The powertrain combines a 2.5-liter I-4 gas engine with an electric motor that's linked to a battery pack, which is why you need to plug the car in to charge. Battery capacity and overall range will likely be announced closer to the March reveal.

While 300-hp seems like more than enough for a vehicle of this size, Mazda's announcement even promises the production model will actually produce over 300-hp.  You will likely not be left wanting more power, and the output is clearly a continuation of Mazda's apparent objective to bump up the power in its cars across the board, introducing more turbocharged models just a few years ago. We love to see it. 

Pictured: Mazda CX-50

More To Come

The CX-60 is the first of two new electrified crossovers Mazda plans to introduce to the European market by next year, joined by a three-row crossover that will be called the CX-80. It will be built on the same platform as the CX-60, with rear-wheel drive and a similar plug-in hybrid application also expected. 

We care about the CX-60 because it's anticipated to be a slightly more compact version of Mazda's planned CX-70 crossover coming to the U.S. soon. The CX-70 is expected to be slightly wider and larger overall, and may or may not come with the same 300-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain option. A larger, wider version of the CX-80 is planned for the U.S., dubbed the CX-90. 

It may seem like the odd-numbered new Mazdas are bound for the U.S., and even-numbered new cars are more international, but Mazda confusingly sells the CX-50 stateside, breaking what seemed to be a new rule.

Mazda has previously announced future plans for variant hybrid powertrains on the same new platform. These plans, confirmed for the U.S. market, include I-6 gas and diesel engines that are meant to be compatible with in-line "mild-hybrid" electric motor generators, alongside a plug-in hybrid option that may be the same as the CX-60's 300-hp setup. Both are expected to eventually be sold with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options when they go on sale.