Changan Alsvin vs KIA Pegas

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.

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
KIA Pegas in South Africa

KIA Pegas

1.4 EX Auto Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 274,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 132 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Alsvin vs KIA Pegas: the short answer

Pegas holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Pegas starts ZAR 9,905 cheaper Alsvin from ZAR 249,900 · Pegas from ZAR 239,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Alsvin Pegas
Maximum Power Alsvin78 kW Pegas73 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Alsvin145 Nm Pegas132 Nm @ 4200 rpm
Engine Size Alsvin1500 cc Pegas1368 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Alsvin14.49 km/l Pegas16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Alsvin150 mm Pegas148 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Alsvin

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance
Specification evidence leader

Pegas

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Alsvin

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Pegas

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Alsvin Pegas
Model Introduced Year 2025 2019
Generation Current South African Alsvin generation launched with two locally named derivatives in 2025. First generation; purpose-designed for emerging markets
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced since the current range entered local retail sale. Minor updates in 2022 including revised infotainment; no full facelift
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2022
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Compact sedan Sedan
Vehicle Type Passenger car Sedan
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Silky Silver, Gravity Blue, Passion Red
Tare Mass Kg - 1130 kg
Spec Alsvin Pegas
Length 4390 mm 4400 mm
Width 1725 mm 1700 mm
Height 1490 mm 1470 mm
Wheelbase 2535 mm 2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 150 mm 148 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 390 l 475 l
Kerb Weight 1069 kg 1130 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1470 kg 1450 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 425 kg
Towing Capacity 705 kg 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m 10.4 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 990 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 950 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1030 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 860 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Alsvin and Pegas 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: Alsvin 35 vs Pegas 33.

Efficiency index: Alsvin 56 vs Pegas 65.

Safety-equipment index: Alsvin 32 vs Pegas 72.

Practicality index: Alsvin 54 vs Pegas 57.

Ownership-cover index: Alsvin not separately scored vs Pegas 71.

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

Pegas leads by 15 points

Pegas holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Evidence leader 58 /100
Lead 15 points
Data 99% source coverage
58
#1 Evidence leader

Pegas

99% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Performance 33
Performance 33
Efficiency 65
Safety 72
Practicality 57
Ownership 71
Leads by 15 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 Alsvin +2 Efficiency Pegas +9 Safety Pegas +40 Practicality Pegas +3

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Pegas

Performance 33/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 57/100
Ownership 71/100

Alsvin

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index KIA Pegas leads the specification evidence index with 58 pts vs 43 pts for Alsvin

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

Alsvin vs Pegas 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.