Mesoporous, high-surface-area Cu–Sn mixed-oxide nanorods were fabricated for the first time by nanocasting with the use of mesoporous KIT-6 silica as the hard template. The Cu–Sn nanorods are significantly more active than 1 % Pd/SnO2 for the oxidation of CO and possesses long-term durability and potent water resistance; they thus have the potential to replace noble metal catalysts for emission-control processes.