Mazda All-New CX-5 vs Nissan Magnite

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Mazda All-New CX-5 in South Africa

Mazda All-New CX-5

2.5 Active Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Upcoming
Launch price pending
Upcoming in South Africa Confirmed launch information and specifications remain visible while final availability is pending.
⚡ 132 kW 🔧 240 Nm ⛽ 13.2 km/l
VS
Nissan Magnite in South Africa

Nissan Magnite

1.0 Acenta Plus EZ-Shift Petrol Current
ZAR 323,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 53 kW 🔧 96 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda All-New CX-5 vs Nissan Magnite: the short answer

All-New CX-5 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Magnite remains close.

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification All-New CX-5 Magnite
Maximum Power All-New CX-5132 kW @ 6000 rpm Magnite53 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque All-New CX-5240 Nm @ 4000 rpm Magnite96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size All-New CX-52488 cc Magnite999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy All-New CX-513.2 km/l Magnite16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance All-New CX-5205 mm Magnite205 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

All-New CX-5

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Magnite

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

All-New CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Magnite

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec All-New CX-5 Magnite
Model Introduced Year 2026 2021
Generation Third-generation Mazda CX-5 for South Africa First generation Magnite arrived in SA in 2021 — Nissan's entry into the growing budget compact SUV segment
Facelift History All-new third-generation model; no facelift applies 2023 facelift refreshed the grille, interior trims, and added safety upgrades
Facelift Launched Since 2026 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status upcoming Active
Segment Medium SUV Compact SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger Vehicle SUV
Color Note - Brick Red, Storm White, Pearl White, Onyx Black, Gun Grey, Blade Silver
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Front-wheel drive confirmed by Nissan South Africa derivative/specification data
Tare Mass Kg - 1007 kg
Spec All-New CX-5 Magnite
Length 4690 mm 3995 mm
Width 1860 mm 1758 mm
Height 1695 mm 1571 mm
Wheelbase 2815 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 205 mm 205 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 200 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 466 l 336 l
Kerb Weight 1629 kg 1007 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2190 kg 1399 kg
Payload Capacity 561 kg -
Towing Capacity 1500 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 6.0 m 5 m
Front Headroom 1007 mm -
Rear Headroom 1020 mm -
Front Legroom 1058 mm -
Rear Legroom 1012 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This All-New CX-5 and Magnite comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: All-New CX-5 52 vs Magnite 16.

Efficiency index: All-New CX-5 52 vs Magnite 65.

Safety-equipment index: All-New CX-5 98 vs Magnite 86.

Practicality index: All-New CX-5 66 vs Magnite 64.

Ownership-cover index: All-New CX-5 not separately scored vs Magnite not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

All-New CX-5 leads by 12 points

All-New CX-5 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Magnite remains close.

Evidence leader 68 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 82% source coverage
68
#1 Evidence leader

All-New CX-5

82% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Performance 52
Performance 52
Efficiency 52
Safety 98
Practicality 66
Leads by 12 points
56
#2

Magnite

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 86 Check Performance 16
Performance 16
Efficiency 65
Safety 86
Practicality 64
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance All-New CX-5 +36 Efficiency Magnite +13 Safety All-New CX-5 +12 Practicality All-New CX-5 +2

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

All-New CX-5

Performance 52/100
Efficiency 52/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 66/100

Magnite

Performance 16/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 86/100
Practicality 64/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda All-New CX-5 leads the specification evidence index with 68 pts vs 56 pts for Magnite

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, All-New CX-5 leads. However, Magnite may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

All-New CX-5 vs Magnite questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.