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2025 Mitsubishi Outlander vs Mazda CX-60 review
Mid-sized petrol SUVs go back-to-back. We compare the Mazda CX-60 with the Mitsubishi Outlander
by Alex Forrest
Published
4 min read
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Media duration: 2minutesmins
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Mid-sized petrol SUVs go back-to-back. We compare the Mazda CX-60 with the Mitsubishi Outlander
by Alex Forrest
Published
4 min read
Text size
by Alex Forrest
Published
Text size
Watch Alex Forrest's review of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander on the Horizons by RAC YouTube Channel.
Right now, as car makers race to put tech, electrification, and safety equipment into new cars, prices are of course heading upwards.
That’s put family vehicles like mainstream branded, medium-sized SUVs out of reach for some.
What that’s created is a market for buyers who still want the latest safety and convenience tech in their cars but prefer established brands and are willing to go with straightforward petrol engines to get into them.
Mazda and Mitsubishi have noticed this and are now offering non-electrified, non-turbocharged, 2.5-litre petrol engines in their popular CX-60 and Outlander models.
They’re relatively affordable and reliable with no required charging, and they still have modern features like 360-degree view monitors and wireless phone mirroring.
The Mazda CX-60 and Mitsubishi Outlander cost $48,990 and $39,990 respectively for their entry-level, two-wheel drive petrol models.
Let’s find out how these two stack up against the electrified but lesser-known brands – and each other.
The true value of both the Outlander and CX-60 is in their well-developed infotainment systems, their proven engines and transmissions, and their widespread dealer networks.
Combine that with strong safety credentials as standard, and the fact that reliability tends to be more important to buyers of used cars than new car buyers, and both the CX-60 and the Outlander provide good peace of mind given their potential to hold their value as used cars.
Some buyers may prefer the Mazda’s rear-wheel drive over the Mitsubishi’s front-drive system, but the Mazda’s less responsive transmission can offset its rear-drive appeal.
But the Mazda does also have some convenience extras like auto up and down on all four windows.
As non-electrified, non-turbo 2.5-litre mid-sized SUVs, driving thrills are not the forte of either of these, but there are other important driving-related factors to know about them.
While they both claim to have eight-speed transmissions, the one in the Mitsubishi is a stepped continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the Mazda’s is a single-clutch eight-speeder.
At certain moments in traffic, the Mazda seemed to take some time to find the right gear, while the CVT in the Mitsubishi is quicker to adjust to the right ratio for the vehicle’s speed and load.
The 2.5-litre petrol in the Outlander makes 135kW, while the Mazda has 138kW. But the Mitsubishi’s key advantage is that it’s almost 200kg lighter than the Mazda, meaning it feels a little brisker on acceleration.
Both the Mazda CX-60 and the Mitsubishi Outlander have 5-star ANCAP safety ratings. While the Mazda’s rating was awarded about two years earlier than the Mitsubishi’s 2025 rating, both were scored against the same set of protocols.
The Outlander does have a full-sized spare tyre, which is lacking in the Mazda, and if you splash out an extra $6,940 for the mid-spec Outlander LS variant, you can get seven seats. Further, the seven-seat Outlander LS still costs less than the cheapest Mazda CX-60.
When driving, the CX-60’s infotainment screen is by default only controlled by the toggle on the centre console and isn’t a touchscreen, which can aid in reducing distraction.
The Mazda CX-60 received an important update to its suspension and transmission settings in early 2025, which did improve its driving experience. Plus, this much more affordable 2.5-litre petrol model certainly does broaden its appeal. And the Mazda’s interior does have a distinctly premium feel. But the Mitsubishi Outlander has super-sharp pricing, a seven-seat option and a transmission that’s still better matched to the vehicle than the Mazda’s. That and the Outlander’s conditional 10-year warranty all make it the winner by a nose.
Specifications | |
|---|---|
ENGINE: | 2.5-litre petrol |
POWER: | 135kW @ 6000rpm |
TORQUE: | 244Nm @ 3600rpm |
CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY: | 7.5L/100km |
PRICE: | $39,990 |
ANCAP SAFETY RATING: | 5 stars |
Specifications | |
|---|---|
ENGINE: | 2.5-litre petrol |
POWER: | 138Kw @ 6000rpm |
TORQUE: | 250Nm @ 3000rpm |
CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY: | 7.5L/100km |
PRICE: | $48,990 |
ANCAP SAFETY RATING: | 5 stars |
