Mazda CX-60 VS Kia EV6
Mazda CX-60
Likes
- Practical cabin space
- Decent amenities inside
- Hybrid efficiency
Dislikes
- Bunny hops at lower speeds
- Unpleasant 'tug-o-war' sensation of engine
- Expensive for what it is
Kia EV6
Likes
Dislikes
Summary
Mazda CX-60
The CX-60 GT P50e is a new mid-spec plug-in hybrid model being offered by Mazda. It sits nestled next to its mid-sized stablemate, the CX-5, but Mazda is positioning it firmly in the premium SUV market with its equally premium price tag.
So, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that this new PHEV is being pitted against brands like Lexus and Volvo, both of which are well-known as leaders in luxury.Â
But has Mazda created a true rival? I’ve been driving it for a week with my family of three to find out for you.Â
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.5L |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid with Premium Unleaded |
| Fuel Efficiency | 2.1L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Kia EV6
Sometimes I think the present is nowhere near as futuristic as I thought it would be when pondering things 20 years ago.
And then there are times when the two cars you’re comparing are an electric Mustang SUV and a 580 horsepower Kia that accelerates faster than a Ferrari Enzo.Â
Yep, this comparison of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Kia EV6 GT is one of those times when we’re reminded how much things have changed and how quickly we need to accept the changes electric cars introduce as the new normal.
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Supercar-like acceleration, the dilemma of charging and the premium price they command are key EV attributes. But they are still cars. Still the way we get around.
If they’re SUVs like the Mach-E GT and EV6 GT we need to compare more than just their EV credentials. Practicality, driveability, value-for-money, safety and ownership costs are also hugely important.
And this is what we’ve done here, comparing them not just as electric cars but in all the ways you’ll use them, too.Â
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | — |
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | —L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Mazda CX-607.3/10
The Mazda CX-60 GT P50e will suit those families that don’t need the extra seats of its bigger siblings but still want some luxury and comfort. I like the features and the hybrid efficiency but don't like how it handles in the city. I got used to it but it’s not my favourite plug-in hybrid to drive and for the higher price tag, I did expect a smoother experience.
Kia EV6/10
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT wins this comparison with the Kia EV6 GT by a small margin, mainly due to its better practicality, its styling and its lower ownership costs. The Kia EV6 GT is also brilliant in its sporty handling, value-for-money and great battery tech. But if there was one that’s the best all-rounder to live with daily, it’s the Mustang Mach-E GT.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Price and Features | 7 | 8 |
Design | 9 | 8 |
Practicality | 8 | 7 |
Under the bonnet | 9 | 9 |
Efficiency | 8 | 8 |
Driving | 8 | 8 |
Safety | 9 | 9 |
Ownership | 8 | 7 |
TOTAL | 8.3 | 8 |
Design
Mazda CX-60
For me, Mazda SUVs are a bit too similar to get me excited. It’s a case of ‘same same but different’ when they’re on the road.
Each one looks like a scaled version of the other but the GT’s body colour extends to the lower cladding and wheel arches, which makes it appear larger than the CX-5 at least.
The GT model is also set apart from the base Evolve model with the heavier use of black accents – like the gloss black side mirrors, 20-inch alloy wheels and honeycomb grille. It’s 'PHEV' and 'In-line 6' side badges are also blacked out for added sportiness.
Full LED exterior lights in Mazda’s classic slim-line look plus some added ‘in-take’ vents at the front complete the overall package.
In the cabin, there’s a strangely wide panel on the dashboard that separates the centre console from the media system and it doesn’t look right compared to the skinny air-vents and button panel that sits below it.
The interior does sport black leather-accented trims and enough soft touchpoints that there is a sense of quality throughout but I was hoping for a more luxuriously-appointed interior, given the price tag. Especially considering the top-spec CX-5 model is a good $25K more affordable.
Kia EV6
Two more different looking SUVs you could not find. Actually, the EV6 GT barely even looks like an SUV although that’s what Kia calls it and the industry classifies it as such.
Have a look at the images, or better still watch the video we made above, to take in the stark comparison between the styling of these vehicles.
The Mustang Mach-E GT looks reassuringly like a Mustang SUV with its vertical bar tail-lights, the muscular rear haunches, blade headlights, shark nose bonnet and big grille.
Well, it’s not a real grille but if you look closely you’ll see the faint outline of honeycomb mesh behind the semi-transparent plastic.
The Kia EV6 GT looks more like a bloated hatchback than an SUV, but you could argue that’s all an SUV is, anyway, I guess.
Still, it’s a stunning design with its pinched in nose, bulbous and smooth panels, looking low, wide and intimidating like a venomous insect complete with lime green brake calipers.
Despite the obvious exterior differences their dimensions aren’t wildly different as you can see in the table below, only the height sets them apart.
If all you had to go with were these figures I’m sure you’d never imagine they’d belong to two very different looking SUVs. The extra height gives the Mustang GT Mach-E a more upright and boxy design, and this affects practicality as you’ll read about further on. For now let's look at their insides on purely stylistic merits.
Of course they have completely different interiors. The Mustang Mach-E GT has a more macho, serious but sporty cabin with high quality feeling fabrics adorning the dashboard and synthetic leather seats. Only the gigantic portrait media display makes this feel like a modern Ford product.
The EV6 GT’s cabin feels dark, like a cave but one filled with expansive screens and tech. There are intriguing patterns etched into the dashboard and deep seats that wrap around their occupants.
Its innards are as alien as its exterior and I’m here for it. And so are many people. Probably not those who like the Mustang Mach-E GT’s cabin, though.
I think the Mustang Mach-E GT pulls off a better look, especially considering the pressure it’s designers would have been under to create an SUV version of one of the most iconic cars on Earth. Â
Dimensions | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Length | 4743mm | 4695mm |
Height | 1623mm | 1545mm |
Width | 1881mm | 1890mm |
Wheelbase | 2984mm | 2900mm |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 8 |
Practicality
Mazda CX-60
The cabin is practical with its great sense of space in both rows, which is not always the case for a mid-sized SUV. Taller families will love how much legroom there is to be had.
The front passenger can get comfortable with the eight-way power adjustments on their seat but the driver enjoys the most perks with 10-way adjustments, lumbar support and two-position memory function.
Both seats have heat function (up to three levels) and are well-cushioned for a longer trip.
The rear seats are well-padded and feature a handy 40/20/40 split-fold for internal storage. The outboard seats also have a heat function for added comfort.
My six-year old found this car to be super easy to get in and out of because of the 175mm ground clearance. He also enjoyed a good view from the wide windows and liked the amenities, like the directional air vents and reading lights.
Individual storage is decent in both rows but the front passengers get the best options with two cupholders, extra-large storage bins in each door, a glove box and a middle console, which is on the shallow side.
Back seaters get two cupholders in the fold-down armrest, small storage bins in each door and a couple of map pockets.
The technology looks upmarket with the dashboard being headlined by two separate 12.3-inch digital screens.
The multimedia system is easy enough to use but I wish Mazda enabled touchscreen access on this as it’s a pain to use the rotary selector dial while on the go.
That said, it’s fab that you get wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, plus built-in satellite navigation.
The premium Bose sound system with its 12 speakers makes for a concert-like experience and the charging options are good throughout the car.
Up front you get two of the faster USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad to choose from.
In the back seat you get another two USB-C ports plus a handy 220-volt (150W) port for bigger items. In the boot you get another 220-volt port but this one has 1500W capacity, so larger appliances can be hooked up.
The boot rounds out the cabin practicality with a decent 477L of capacity but you can bump it to 1726L if you fold down the rear seats. There are manual levers in the boot to do this.
The level load space makes it easy to slide things in and out and I always enjoy having a powered tailgate. A flipside to all of this room though is that you only get a tyre puncture repair kit rather than a physical spare.
Kia EV6
Electric vehicles have changed practicality for the better. Not being constrained by big engines, transmissions and driveshafts means the packaging can be designed for good storage and people room.
Flat floors open up space, front boots are handy and even the ability to use their colossal battery to power campsites or other appliances is a big plus.
Below is a table comparing boot sizes and power outlets. On the face of it the EV6 GT appears to have the bigger rear boot but the stacking height is lower than the Mustang Mach-E GT’s taller space.
The EV6 GT also has next to no front boot, while the Mustang Mach-E GT has a large storage space under the bonnet.
As for rear legroom, the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT have plenty of space for me at 189cm to sit behind my driving position and headroom is excellent in both.
Entering and exiting the Mustang Mach-E GT is easier due it’s more traditional SUV shape with tall doors and elevated ride height. The EV6 GT is almost 10cm lower overall and I hit my head swinging into the back seat while doing my legroom test.
Both cars have directional air vents in the second row, cupholders, door pockets and USB ports.
Talking of power outlets, only the EV6 GT has a vehicle-to-load (V2L) power outlet which will take a regular household appliance plug.
It’s a tough call as to which is more practical, and while the Kia has the versatile V2L and plenty of space, the Mustang's front boot and ease of entry and exit makes it the winner here.  Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Seats | 5 | 5 |
Boot capacity (five seats up) | 402L | 480L |
Frunk capacity | 134L | 20L |
Wireless phone charging | Yes | Yes |
USB Ports | 4 | 5 |
V2L socket | 0 | 1 |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 7 |
Price and features
Mazda CX-60
There are three models for the CX-60 and ours is the mid-spec model, which will cost you $80,300, before on-road costs.
You get a decent number of features in this grade, so it feels well-positioned against its rivals.
The Lexus NX350h F Sport Hybrid AWD beats it by a smidge at $80,500 (MSRP) and the Volvo XC60 Recharge Plus sits well above at $92,990 (MSRP).
As you’d expect there are some luxury items to be found, like the panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, heated leather steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats.
You also enjoy the following as standard - dual-zone climate control, electric front seats, leather-accented trim, electric steering wheel adjustment, satellite navigation, keyless entry, a hands-free powered tailgate and a 360-degree view camera system plus a bunch of upmarket technology which we’ll touch on later.Â
Kia EV6
Electric cars are more expensive than their petrol counterparts and generally will be until the cost of EV batteries comes down. This is what drives the manufacturing price up with the extra cost passed onto the consumer. But the good news is the price is coming down.Â
That news doesn’t really help you much here because the Kia EV6 GT has come down in price and lists for $99,590, before on-road costs. Still, that’s less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT which lists for $104,990.
The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT sit at the top of their respective ranges and have large batteries. That’s the reason for the $100K MSRP. They both come with a lot of equipment and you can see a side-by-side comparison of their standard features in the table below.
What stands out is the lack of powered front seats in the EV6 GT, and also the absence of leather upholstery in both cars.
Both still come with heated seats, excellent sound systems and sunroofs - although the Mustang Mach-E’s is a large panoramic glass version, while the Kia’s is smaller and opens.
The EV6 GT’s head-up display is brilliant, while the Mustang Mach-E doesn’t have one.
The Mustang comes with 20-inch alloys which offer a better ride than the EV6 GT’s 21-inch alloys - but more on that in the driving section further down.   Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
MSRP | $104,990 | $99,590 |
Media Display | 15.2-inch | 12.3-inch |
Instrument cluster | 10.2-inch | 12.3-inch |
Head-up display | No | Yes |
Climate control | Dual-zone | dual-zone |
Auto parking | Yes - in-car | Yes - remote |
Keyless entry/push start | Yes | Yes |
Sound system | B&O 10 speakers | Meridian - 14 speakers |
Sat nav | Yes | Yes |
Sunroof | Panoramic | Slide opening |
Privacy glass | Rear side | Rear side |
Upholstery | Artificial leather | Artificial leather |
Seats | Front: Powered/heated | Front: heated; Rear: heated |
Wheel size | 20-inch alloys | 21-inch |
LED Headlights | Yes | Yes |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
7 | 8 |
Under the bonnet
Mazda CX-60
The GT P50e has a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain with a maximum power output of 241kW and 500Nm of torque.
This is an all-wheel drive and has an eight-speed auto transmission.
Overall, it’s fairly gutsy and you’ll be pleased with that power when you hit the open road.
On the electric motor side of things, this also has a lithium-ion battery with a relatively small 17.8kWh capacity which gives you a driving range of up to 76km when in pure EV mode.Â
It has a Type 2 AC charging port but it can’t be hooked onto a fast charger as it lacks the CCS DC connector.
On a 7.0kW system you should be able to get from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as 90 minutes. The household plug charging time is more like seven or eight hours, so best to leave overnight when at home.
Kia EV6
Electric motors make massive amounts of power and torque but the outputs of the Mustang Mach E GT and EV6 GT are beyond 'normal' EVs.
The EV6 GT has a motor driving the rear wheels and another driving the front ones. Together they have a combined output of 430kW and 740Nm with 0-100km/h coming in a brutal 3.5 seconds. That is seriously quick and unnecessary and I love it.
The Mustang Mach E GT also has all-wheel drive thanks to a motor at the front and at the rear but together they make a whopping 358kW and 860Nm, although at 100kg heavier it’s a tad slower to 100km/h with a time of 3.7 seconds. Still these times are quicker than almost any production car from the early 1990s.
Who wins here? I’m calling it evenly matched.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Combined motor output | 358kW/860Nm | 430kW/740Nm |
Drive wheels | AWD | AWD |
0-100km/h | 3.7 seconds | 3.5 seconds |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 9 |
Efficiency
Mazda CX-60
The official combined cycle fuel figure is 2.1L/100km but after an almost 600km roadie and charging it twice, my real-world usage came to 6.4L.
That's a good result considering this car's power and size but you will get the best efficiency if you charge the battery regularly.Â
Based on my usage and the 50L tank, I’d be able to get a rough driving range of 781km.
Kia EV6
There’s so much to tell you here and the table below will help with understanding the capacities, ranges and consumption of the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT.
The Mustang Mach-E GT has the larger battery and the longer range, but the EV6 GT’s battery has a much faster DC charging rate.
The Kia can make full use of a 350kW fast charger while the Mach-E can’t accept more than 150kW. You can see the charging times in the table.
Energy efficiency is crucial to an EV’s range and in our test we filled the batteries of the Mustang Mach-E GT and EV6 GT to 100 per cent and drove a 180km route made up of CBD traffic, motorways, suburban streets and country roads. Â
At the end of the trip we found both used almost exactly the same amount of electricity at nearly the same rate. The difference being the Mustang had more projected range left because its battery is larger. Â
Who wins? Well, this is really about energy efficiency and we found that both were a good match for electricity consumption. So, let’s call it a tie. You could argue the Mustang Mach-E GT has more range, but the rebuttal would be the EV6 GT’s super-fast charging time.Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Battery capacity | 91kWh | 77.4kWh |
Estimated range | 490km | 424km |
Max DC charging speed | 150kW | 350kW |
DC 10-80 percent charge time | 45 minutes | 18 minutes |
Max AC charging speed | 10.5kW | 10.5kW |
Official combined consumption | 21.2kWh/100km | 20.6kWh/100km |
Distance (energy test)) | 176.5km | 178.0km |
Electricity used | 32.6kWh | 32.18 |
As tested combined consumption | 18.5kWh/100km | 18.1kWh/100km |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 8 |
Driving
Mazda CX-60
Well .. let’s unpack that shall we? Yes, this thing certainly has power but the biggest surprise for me was how the electric motor and combustion engine talk to one another because it doesn’t make for the smoothest driving experience in the city.
Therein lies the rub, for me. At this price point I was hoping for a smoother drive experience. In fact, it performs in the strangest of ways - when you’re accelerating, it feels like you’re in a much lower gear than you ought to be.
Almost like you’re stuck in 4WD. There is a sensation of the engine being held back and fighting you when you drive this in built up areas.
The ride comfort in the city was affected by this because it has a tendency to bunny hop/lurch when you hit corners at lower speeds. However, it has beautiful manners on the open road and that is where this model shines for comfort and handling.Â
In this environment the steering feels concise and you can handle winding roads at speed without much roll. It can get a little noisy in the cabin as the electric motor wheezes a lot but otherwise, it’s alright for highway driving.
Overall, it's pretty good to park and I like the tight 10.8m turning circle. The 360-degree camera system is clear, too, but coupled with the front and rear parking sensors, you won’t have any issues.
Kia EV6
The way these SUVs feel to drive is as different as their looks. The Mustang Mach-E GT feels more suited to daily driving while the EV6 GT is our pick for the race circuit or sporty blasts on nice country roads with plenty of twists and turns.
Both have drive modes ranging from the hardcore 'Untame' in the Mach-E and 'Sport+' in the EV6 GT to the calmer 'Whisper' and 'Normal' modes in Ford and Kia, respectively.Â
Adjustable suspension in both firms up the ride for better handling and softens it for a more comfortable setting.
The Mustang Mach-E has the more comfortable ride overall compared to the EV6 GT which is very firm in its Sport+ drive mode but still overly hard in the Normal setting thanks to the big wheels and low-profile tyres. That said, the Mach-E GT is prone to jiggling too much over minor bumps.
The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT can accelerate incredibly fast and while it's fun, the ability to move quickly is useful in overtaking and at intersections without traffic lights.Â
Neither the EV6 GT not Mach-E GT offer exceptional ride comfort but the Mustang delivers a better all around driving experience with good visibility, a more elevated driving height and supportive seats.
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 8 |
Safety
Mazda CX-60
The CX-60 has a lot of safety features I like to see on a family car and a highlight is the intelligent blind-spot monitoring system which shows the vehicles around you in a dynamic display on the instrument panel.
Other standard safety features include LED daytime running lights, lane departure alert, lane keeping aids, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, intelligent seat belt reminders, a driver fatigue monitor, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree view camera system.
It also has adaptive cruise control but it was a bit hit or miss. It’s quite sensitive and sometimes registers a larger vehicle, like a truck, as still being in your lane despite overtaking.
It has autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction assist detection that’s operational from 10–80km/h (although the car detection is operational from 4.0–160km/h).
I’m happy to say this system works well – a ‘roo jumped out in front of me this week and the car performed an emergency stop with plenty of room to spare.
It achieved a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022 and it has eight airbags, including a driver’s knee- and a front centre airbag.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats and three top tethers and while two seats will fit best, you might get lucky with three skinny booster seats. There’s also plenty of room when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed.
Kia EV6
The Mustang Mach-E GT and the EV6 GT have been awarded the maximum five star ANCAP rating but the Kia was tested more recently under 2022 criteria.
Both cars have ISOFIX points for child seats in the outside rear seats, while there are three top tether anchor mounts in the second row, too. The table below compares their advanced safety tech.Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
ANCAP rating | 5 (2021) | 5 (2022) |
AEB | Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist | Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist |
Lane Keeping Assist | Yes | Yes |
Blind Spot Warning | Yes | Yes |
Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Yes with braking | Yes with braking |
Airbags | 7 (no centre airbag) | 6 (no centre airbag) |
Â
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 9 |
Ownership
Mazda CX-60
The ongoing costs are pretty reasonable. It comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty which is usual for the class. It also has capped-price servicing for five-years or up to 75,000km, whichever occurs first.
Services cost an average of $518, which is a little expensive for this class but servicing intervals are fine at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
Kia EV6
The final piece of this comparison puzzle is the ownership costs. The table below highlights the difference in what you’ll pay to service with the Mustang Mach-E GT proving to be the more affordable.Â
The Kia comes with a longer warranty, although Ford’s battery coverage duration is better.
The Mustang Mach-E GT wins here for its more affordable capped price servicing.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Warranty | Five-year/unlimited km | Seven-year/unlimited km |
Servicing cost total over five years | $780 | $1561 |
Service interval | 12 months/15,000km | 12 months/15,000km |
High-voltage battery warranty | Eight-years/160,000km | Seven-years/150,000km |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 7 |