Premium family SUV faceoff
Honda set tongues wagging early in 2024 when it released the latest rendition of the CR-V family crossover SUV and priced it at an eye-watering million rand mark, a first for the segment and the brand. A million rand for a vehicle in this segment had many consumers wondering what was so special about the vehicle and what justified that price tag.
Related: Mazda CX-60 3.3D Takumi AWD (2024) review
Sadly, further drives and testing revealed that it was not the case, but merely taxes, duties and transport costs that had pushed the family crossover to that price point. Consumers shopping in the left field began looking at what else they could get for the same money and found solace in the Mazda CX-60. We check out just how much car you get for similar money.
Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive CVT (2024) - Review
Drivetrain
| Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive | Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi | |
| Engine | 1.5l turbo petrol, four cylinder | 3.3l six-cylinder, turbo diesel with hybrid electric drive |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automatic |
| Power Figures | 140kW / 240Nm | 187kW (12.4 from EV) / 550Nm (153Nm from EV) |
| Driven Wheels | FWD | AWD |
The Mazda completely overshadows the Honda with a bigger engine, more power and incredible consumption figures. It also gets an automatic transmission and AWD, a more desirable option for local buyers.
Fuel Consumption
| Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive | Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi | |
| Claimed fuel consumption | 7.4 L /100km | 4.9 L/100km |
| Actual consumption (combined cycle) | 8.0 L /100km (Achieved) | 7.2 L/100km (Achieved) |
| Tank Size (litres) | 57 | 58 |
| Distance on a full tank | 770km (720km true) | 1184km (780km true) |
| Top Speed | 185km/h | 219km/h |
Mazda may have the hybrid drive system, but we found during our test that the claimed consumption figures were optimistic. In terms of performance versus consumption, it is still better than Honda.
Safety
| Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive | Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi | |
| Global Safety Rating | 5 Star Euro NCAP | 5 Star Euro NCAP |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| Stability Control | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | No | Yes |
| Hill hold assist | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring | Yes | No |
| Camera | 360-degree surround view | 360-degree surround view |
| PDC (Park Distance Control) | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
| HDC (Hill Descent Control) | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags | 8 | 7 |
| Cruise control | Adaptive | Adaptive |
| BSM (Blind Sport Monitoring) | Yes | Yes |
| Lane Keep Assist | Yes | Yes |
| HUD (Heads Up Display) | Yes | Yes |
| Keyless Entry | Yes | Yes |
| LED Lighting | Front and Rear | Front and Rear |
Both vehicles score a top 5-star rating from NCAP, with the Honda having one extra airbag and TPMS. It's a tough choice here as Mazda only has active Traction control as standard over the Honda.
The Drive
| Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive | Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi | |
| Boot Space (litres) | 150-478-840-1457 | 477-1148-1726 |
| Towing capacity, braked and unbraked | 800kg braked | 750kg unbraked / 1500kg braked |
| Tow bar | Yes | Yes |
| Seating | Heated front seats, seven adults | Heated and Ventilated full leather front seats, five adults |
| Sunroof | Yes | Yes |
Both vehicles offer a comfortable and sporty drive, focusing on dynamics and control when needed. Comfort and convenience are the name of the game in Mazda, as drivers and passengers get heated + ventilated seats and a raft of tech features. The Mazda is also rated for proper towing and has more interior spec flexibility.
Pricing
| Honda CR-V 1.5T Executive | R 961 300 | Mazda CX-60 2.5 Dynamic | R 778 500 |
| Honda CR-V 1.5T Exclusive | R 1 041 300 | Mazda CX-60 2.5 AWD Individual | R 888 700 |
| Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi | R 1 085 100 |
Honda offers a 5-year / 200,000 km warranty and a 5-year / 90,000 km service plan, while Mazda offers a 5-year / Unlimited km warranty and a 5-year / Unlimited km service plan.
Verdict
The Honda CR-V has a slightly higher airbag count and a magic seating system that makes the interior practical. Still, it's a tough sell due to its high price compared to the overwhelming features you can get for comparable money in the Mazda. The Mazda may only seat 5, but it appears on paper to be the better vehicle overall.
