Leapmotor C10 REEV vs Mazda CX-5

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.

Leapmotor C10 REEV in South Africa

Leapmotor C10 REEV

Design Plug-in Hybrid Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 158 kW 🔧 320 Nm ⛽ 17.0 km/l
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

Leapmotor C10 REEV vs Mazda CX-5: the short answer

C10 REEV has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

CX-5 starts ZAR 189,400 cheaper C10 REEV from ZAR 759,900 · CX-5 from ZAR 570,500

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification C10 REEV CX-5
Maximum Power C10 REEV158 kW CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque C10 REEV320 Nm CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size C10 REEV1500 cc CX-51998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy C10 REEV17.0 km/l CX-514.5 km/l
Ground Clearance C10 REEV180 mm CX-5200 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

C10 REEV

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

CX-5

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

Which One's Right for You?

C10 REEV

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

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec C10 REEV CX-5
Model Introduced Year 2025 2017
Generation First-generation Leapmotor C10 range-extended electric SUV Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range
Facelift History The C10 REEV launched in South Africa in October 2025 as Leapmotor's first local model. 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 2025 2017
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment D-segment family SUV Mid-size family SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1980 kg 1575 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec C10 REEV CX-5
Length 4739 mm 4575 mm
Width 1900 mm 1845 mm
Height 1680 mm 1680 mm
Wheelbase 2825 mm 2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 180 mm 200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 160 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 56 l
Boot/Cargo Space 400 l 438 l
Kerb Weight 1980 kg 1575 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2425 kg 2065 kg
Payload Capacity 445 kg 490 kg
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 5.95 m
Front Headroom 1010 mm -
Rear Headroom 985 mm -
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1041 mm
Rear Legroom 950 mm 1007 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This C10 REEV and CX-5 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: C10 REEV 65 vs CX-5 48.

Efficiency index: C10 REEV 75 vs CX-5 56.

Safety-equipment index: C10 REEV 99 vs CX-5 88.

Practicality index: C10 REEV 59 vs CX-5 61.

Ownership-cover index: C10 REEV not separately scored vs CX-5 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

C10 REEV leads by 11 points

C10 REEV has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

Evidence leader 74 /100
Lead 11 points
Data 83% source coverage
74
#1 Evidence leader

C10 REEV

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Practicality 59
Performance 65
Efficiency 75
Safety 99
Practicality 59
Leads by 11 points
63
#2

CX-5

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 56
Safety 88
Practicality 61
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance C10 REEV +17 Efficiency C10 REEV +19 Safety C10 REEV +11 Practicality CX-5 +2

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

C10 REEV

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 75/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 59/100

CX-5

Performance 48/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 61/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Leapmotor C10 REEV leads the specification evidence index with 74 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, C10 REEV leads. However, CX-5 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 African models and comparable body styles.

C10 REEV
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VS
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C10 REEV vs Sportage →
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C10 REEV vs X-Trail →
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CX-5 vs Sportage →
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CX-5 vs Tiguan →

C10 REEV vs CX-5 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.