Changan Alsvin vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Changan Alsvin in South Africa

Changan Alsvin

1.5 AT CE Petrol 5-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 289,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 904,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 133 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Alsvin vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: the short answer

Pajero Sport holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Alsvin starts ZAR 540,090 cheaper Alsvin from ZAR 249,900 · Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Alsvin Pajero Sport
Maximum Power Alsvin78 kW Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque Alsvin145 Nm Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Engine Size Alsvin1500 cc Pajero Sport2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Alsvin14.49 km/l Pajero Sport12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance Alsvin150 mm Pajero Sport218 mm

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

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Changan Alsvin

1.5 AT CE

Hagalu editorial rating
3.9/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Alsvin

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

Pajero Sport

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

Which One's Right for You?

Alsvin

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Pajero Sport

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Alsvin Pajero Sport
Model Introduced Year 2025 2017
Generation Current South African Alsvin generation launched with two locally named derivatives in 2025. Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced since the current range entered local retail sale. South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Sedan SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Compact sedan Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger car Passenger vehicle
Spec Alsvin Pajero Sport
Length 4390 mm 4825 mm
Width 1725 mm 1815 mm
Height 1490 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 2535 mm 2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 150 mm 218 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 l 68 l
Boot/Cargo Space 390 l 193 l
Kerb Weight 1069 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1470 kg 2775 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 695 kg
Towing Capacity 705 kg 2850 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 7 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 3 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1022 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 957 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1067 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Alsvin and Pajero Sport comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Alsvin 35 vs Pajero Sport 65.

Efficiency index: Alsvin 56 vs Pajero Sport 49.

Safety-equipment index: Alsvin 32 vs Pajero Sport 72.

Practicality index: Alsvin 54 vs Pajero Sport 71.

Ownership-cover index: Alsvin not separately scored vs Pajero Sport 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

Pajero Sport leads by 22 points

Pajero Sport holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 22 points
Data 83% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

Pajero Sport

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 65
Efficiency 49
Safety 72
Practicality 71
Leads by 22 points
43
#2

Alsvin

66% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 56 Check Safety 32
Performance 35
Efficiency 56
Safety 32
Practicality 54
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Pajero Sport +30 Efficiency Alsvin +7 Safety Pajero Sport +40 Practicality Pajero Sport +17

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Pajero Sport

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 71/100

Alsvin

Performance 35/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 32/100
Practicality 54/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 43 pts for Alsvin

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Pajero Sport leads. However, Alsvin may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Alsvin vs Pajero Sport questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.