They're usually among the "thought leaders" of the motor industry, but Japanese giant Mazda seems to be swimming against the tide with its newest member of the fleet – the impressive but flawed CX60 SUV.
Nothing wrong with the vehicle, mind you. It's a real head-turner.
But in a market where everybody seems to be rolling out new electric vehicles at a cracking pace, Mazda has taken an entirely different, more cautious tack beneath the bonnet.
While the vehicle is sharp and slick, the engine choices offered on this luxury soft-roader are confusing, to say the least.
After all it's surprising - almost rare - to see such a progressive marque steering away from the low-emissions lane.
But even harded to understand is why Mazda has created a whole new range of cars all of which seem to be primarily reliant on the internal combustion engine.
In fact, the CX60 tested makes a virtue of its fossil fuel roots – with the words "InLine Six" proudly shown off on the car's breather vents.
The CX60, released Down Under just a few weeks ago, arrives with much of Mazda's hopes riding with it, as the poster-child for the company's "Mazda Premium" initiative.
It sits just a rung below Mazda's equally aesthetically pleasing flagship, the CX90.
But that's not the only surprise to emerge from the company's Hiroshima headquarters.
Mazda has also revealed that two of its better-known machines are set for the chopping block - the MX30 (the first Mazda to use electric drive) and the CX-8.
Also to be discontinued is the Mazda6 Sports sedan - with all three discontinued models making way for other models - with the all-new CX60 among them.
This soft-roader will be offered in as many as nine versions - with three trim levels (Evolve, GT and flagship Azumi) and a choice of three drivetrains - all driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission and each with all-wheel-drive.
Tested was the 3.3-litre SkyActive G with its turbocharged petrol engine. There is also a turbo-diesel SkyActivD (also with straight-six configuration) - two slightly mediocre powerplants in such a forward-looking model.
The third (and best but most expensive) is a 2.5L, four-cylinder SkyActiv Plug-In Hybrid.
It develops more power than either of the six-cylinder options, giving it superior performance and extremely frugal consumption.
It's the first Mazda to offer a plug-in Hybrid option, albeit it at a cost about $12,000 more than the two "sixes".
Able to store as much as 75km of pure electric motoring at the driver's convenience, the plug-in hybrid is easily the most eco-friendly of the three engines.
In the base model it retails for $72,300 - compared to the more attractive $59,800 of the entry-level Evolve.
The mid-range GT models offer the same engine choices, with prices starting from the high $60,000s up to $80,300 for the full-fruit version.
The flagship Azami is about $5000 more expensive again, with the fully specified model nudging triple-figures with a $85,675 price tag.
All engines receive a Hybrid booster - a modest 48V in the six-cylinder versions. The PHEV produces a combined 241kW and 500Nm.
Performance-wise it even shades the turbo six, hitting the speed limit in just 5.9 seconds, a full second quicker than the bigger engine.
Still, that doesn't completely erase the suspicion Mazda is buying time before plunging further into the EV revolution.
The straight six (tested), while impressive, has an unexpected harshness in engine and driveline, particularly at low speed where the transmission is prone to search a little for the right ratio (there are eight to choose from).
Even more infuriating was a nagging knock in the rear cargo compartment - a noise that resisted all efforts to rectify it and which has no place in a car so sophisticated
Niggles aside, the CX60 is big, plush and gloriously stylish. From the rear quarter panel it evokes Jaguar's F pace or Land Rover's Discovery, with some DNA added at the front from the long-serving CX-5.
Inside the CX60 is Lexus-like, which remains the ultimate compliment for most other Japanese brands.
Despite the sexy, inviting cockpit, with its alluring suede finish across the dash, it's probably one of the most masculine Mazdas.
Mind you, there are plenty of trinkets to soften that image.
Standard features included twin infotainment screens, a very good 360-degree view camera called See Through View; blind-spot monitoring, 8-speaker audio, front and rear parking sensors, remote tailgate, dual-zoe climate control and Smart Brake Support.
The flagship Azumi adds a long list of luxury features including adaptive LED headlights, Nappa leather trim, cruising and traffic support functions, heated and ventilated front seats and leather side door and dash trims - not to mention a comprehensive electronic safety suite.
It brings excellent road manners, particular on a highway drive where it feels sturdy, refined and long-legged.
Mazda says the mid-range six-cylinder configuration will be the volume seller.
But it should see the popularity of other PHEV vehicles, such as Mitsubishi's Outlander and Nissan's X-Trail, might lure more to make the extra spend on the greener machine.
But at $85,000 the PHEV represents pretty decent value compared to fully-electric models in this segment.
And that would get Mazda swimming in the right direction once more.
MAZDA CX60 AZAMI GT G40E
HOW BIG?
It feels noticeably more sturdy and spacious than its sibling CX-5. It's only offered in five-seat configuration and offers impressive interior and cargo space.
HOW FAST?
Hard to imagine that a 2.5-litre, normally-aspirated hybrid four-cylinder can be so brisk, but with a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.9 seconds it's a second sharper than the turbo six - something of a surprise
HOW THIRSTY?
The inline 3.3L, six-cylinder turbo tested manages a respectable 7.9L/100km. But the hybrid, with a combined thirst of just 2.1L/100km, would start paying for itself at some point.
HOW MUCH?
Base pricing for the CX60 is $59,800 (entry level, petrol turbo model). At the top of the family tree is the Azami PHEV, retailing at $85,675 plus on road costs.
