The CX-60 is the most powerful, luxurious Mazda ever - and we’ve driven it.

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The new CX-60 represents Mazda's push to go premium and take on established German brands in the upmarket SUV sector – we're talking Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

Plenty of other brands have tried the same trick in the past with mixed results. Lexus, for example, has finally made it work with its latest NX, rising to the top of the class, but for the likes of Infiniti (in Europe at least) the outcome wasn't as successful.

But Mazda has engineering heritage and experience on its side, and it's launching the CX-60 with a very 'of-the-moment' powertrain. It's a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 17.8kWh battery feeding an electric motor for a total of 323bhp and 500Nm (making it the most powerful road car Mazda has ever built), plus a claimed all-electric range of 39 miles.

In some ways, that latter figure is a shame, because just one more mile would see it drop from the 12 per cent Benefit in Kind tax banding to just eight per cent, upping its appeal to company car users. But there's still plenty to like, with the potential for up to 188mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 33g/km, yet still a lively 0-62mph sprint of 5.8 seconds.

Given the Japanese brand's ambition to take on premium players, we're trying the top-spec £48,050 Takumi model, which really shows the car off in its best light. Mazda is making much of its Japanese heritage with a 'Crafted in Japan' tag line, and the tactile fabric on the dash – highlighted by some intricate and delightfully precise stitching. Light maple wood trim inlays also help it feel good for the money, combined with the attractive metal detailing and soft leather dotted around the cabin. Can the CX-60 haul Mazda into the premium sector? Nicola Hume finds out in this review.

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