Foton Asambe Taxi vs Mazda CX-5

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.

Foton Asambe Taxi in South Africa

Foton Asambe Taxi

2.4i Petrol (16 Seater) Petrol 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 439,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 100 kW 🔧 200 Nm
VS
Mazda CX-5 in South Africa

Mazda CX-5

2.0 Carbon Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 688,400 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Foton Asambe Taxi vs Mazda CX-5: the short answer

Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.

Asambe Taxi starts ZAR 130,600 cheaper Asambe Taxi from ZAR 439,900 · CX-5 from ZAR 570,500

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Asambe Taxi CX-5
Maximum Power Asambe Taxi100 kW CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Asambe Taxi200 Nm CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size Asambe Taxi2400 cc CX-51998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Asambe TaxiNot Officially Disclosed CX-514.5 km/l
Ground Clearance Asambe TaxiNot Officially Disclosed CX-5200 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.

Foton Asambe Taxi

2.4i Petrol (16 Seater)

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

Mazda CX-5

2.0 Carbon 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.

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Asambe Taxi CX-5
Model Introduced Year 2024 2017
Generation High-roof, long-wheelbase 16-seat View-based minibus measuring 5,390 mm long. Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range
Facelift History Current South African Asambe Taxi range, with no separate facelift identified. The second generation arrived in 2017 and received a substantial update from 2021. An all-new replacement is scheduled to reach South Africa on 1 August 2026, while this current range remains on sale.
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2017
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Minibus SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Active
Segment 16-seat taxi Mid-size family SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger commercial vehicle SUV
Tare Mass Kg - 1575 kg
Spec Asambe Taxi CX-5
Length 5390 mm 4575 mm
Width 1920 mm 1845 mm
Height 2285 mm 1680 mm
Wheelbase 3110 mm 2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) Not Officially Disclosed 200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed -
Fuel Tank Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 56 l
Boot/Cargo Space Not Officially Disclosed 438 l
Kerb Weight Not Officially Disclosed 1575 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Not Officially Disclosed 2065 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 490 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 16 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 5 rows -
Doors Not Officially Disclosed 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 5.95 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1041 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1007 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Asambe Taxi and CX-5 comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.

Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.

Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.

Specification Score Withheld

Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.

Fail closed

Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.

Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.

What the evidence means

No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.

Asambe Taxi vs CX-5 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.