Mazda mulls suspension updates for CX-60 and CX-90 amid criticism of ride quality on Australian models

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Mazda could introduce a suspension update for its freshly launched CX-60 and CX-90 SUVs as part of its continuous vehicle improvement strategy that ensures models deliver on customer expectations regardless of their age and target market.

While not confirmed at this stage, Mazda is considering all feedback regarding its new premium SUVs which roll on the latest Large Product architecture, including some criticism aimed at the CX-60 and CX-90’s sporty and firm ride.

Speaking at the reveal of the latest large SUV – the CX-70 – Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi told Chasing Cars the company has a policy of continually reviewing the performance and reception of each model.

According to Bhindi, the local chassis development team was satisfied that the CX-70 and CX-90 met Australian consumer tastes, but is listening to each and every appraisal of ride and comfort and updates will be executed if the general consensus is that a change is warranted.

“Any comments that come from our consumers and customers and [the media] is always fed into the R and D (research and development) community and they’ll look at it and decide whether it’s valid and appropriate,” he said.

“When we launched the 60 and 90 the R and D people we had here were satisfied the vehicles delivered on the targets they had established.”

“However, saying that, every product in the Mazda range has a continuous improvement path from the day they’re manufactured.”

Bhindi went on to say that redevelopment and update projects for any given model are kept under wraps until close to introduction, and a CX-60 or CX-90 suspension tweak could already be underway.

“What they have and haven’t done is not something we’re aware of,” he said.

The ride quality of Mazda’s more premium line-up, built on its rear-biased AWD platform, has received criticism from multiple outlets including Chasing Cars, with the CX-60 in particular known for its overly harsh demeanor, though some improvements were seen in the way the CX-90 drove.

At the launch of the CX-90, in 2023, the model project manager Mitsuru Wakiie confirmed that adaptive dampers was something the company may introduce to improve comfort characteristics without compromising sporty dynamics.

“We wouldn’t deny the possibility of thinking about adaptive dampers,” he said in September. “It’s one of the options we could take and we are studying that as well,”

Adding the variable suspension technology would be a significant change to any model’s chassis, taking time and, most likely limiting the upgrade to a mid-life model introduction if not the next generation model.

However, a more mild suspension update that involves revising existing passive dampers and spring rates would be a much faster and easier development to introduce, which could arrive much sooner.

Since the arrival of the first Large Product models, two more have been confirmed for introduction to Australia but it’s not yet known if the CX-70 and CX-80 roll on a softer and more compliant tune in response to media and customer feedback.

With the CX-80 due for launch this year followed by the CX-70 likely before 2025, a local first drive will reveal how Mazda’s continuous improvement path is evolving the character of its new rear-drive biased models.