Volkswagen Amarok vs Mazda CX-30

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.

Volkswagen Amarok in South Africa

Volkswagen Amarok

DC Aventura 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion 10AT Diesel Current
ZAR 1,259,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 184 kW 🔧 600 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
Mazda CX-30 in South Africa

Mazda CX-30

2.0 Individual Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 651,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 15.2 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Volkswagen Amarok vs Mazda CX-30: the short answer

Amarok holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-30.

CX-30 starts ZAR 57,000 cheaper Amarok from ZAR 596,800 · CX-30 from ZAR 539,800

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Amarok CX-30
Maximum Power Amarok184 kW CX-30121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Amarok600 Nm CX-30213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size Amarok2993 cc CX-301998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Amarok14.5 km/l CX-3015.2 km/l
Ground Clearance Amarok237 mm CX-30175 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.

Volkswagen Amarok

DC Aventura 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion 10AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mazda CX-30

2.0 Individual Edition Auto FWD

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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)

Specification evidence leader

Amarok

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

CX-30

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

Which One's Right for You?

Amarok

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

CX-30

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Amarok CX-30
Model Introduced Year 2010 2021
Generation Latest Amarok generation brings improved performance and modern safety features First-generation DM-series Mazda CX-30 using seventh-generation Mazda architecture
Facelift History Major redesign in 2023 introducing new platform, updated engines, and advanced tech South African editions received a focused technology and equipment update in 2024, including the 10.25-inch display and revised connectivity.
Facelift Launched Since 2023 2021
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Pickup SUV
Body Type Cab Pickup -
Color Note White, Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, Red -
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup -
Drivetrain Note 4x4 configuration for the local line-up -
Model Year Current 2026
Production Status published Active
Segment Pickup Compact crossover
Tare Mass Kg 2023 kg 1340 kg
Vehicle Type Pickup SUV
Spec Amarok CX-30
Length 5350 mm 4395 mm
Width 1910 mm 1795 mm
Height 1884 mm 1540 mm
Wheelbase 3270 mm 2655 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 237 mm 175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 80 l 51 l
Kerb Weight 2023 kg 1340 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 3190 kg 1937 kg
Payload Capacity 1167 kg 597 kg
Towing Capacity 3500 kg 1200 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 12.93 m 5.7 m
Boot/Cargo Space - 295 l
Front Legroom - 1058 mm
Rear Legroom - 921 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Amarok and CX-30 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: Amarok 91 vs CX-30 49.

Efficiency index: Amarok 57 vs CX-30 59.

Safety-equipment index: Amarok 82 vs CX-30 96.

Practicality index: Amarok 87 vs CX-30 55.

Ownership-cover index: Amarok not separately scored vs CX-30 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

Amarok leads by 16 points

Amarok holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-30.

Evidence leader 81 /100
Lead 16 points
Data 64% source coverage
81
#1 Evidence leader

Amarok

64% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 91 Check Efficiency 57
Performance 91
Efficiency 57
Safety 82
Practicality 87
Leads by 16 points
65
#2

CX-30

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Performance 49
Performance 49
Efficiency 59
Safety 96
Practicality 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Amarok +42 Efficiency CX-30 +2 Safety CX-30 +14 Practicality Amarok +32

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Amarok

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 57/100
Safety 82/100
Practicality 87/100

CX-30

Performance 49/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 55/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Volkswagen Amarok leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts vs 65 pts for CX-30

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Amarok leads. However, CX-30 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

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Amarok vs CX-30 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.