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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
ZS
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
Caddy
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
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
ZS
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2021
2025
Generation
SA5 fifth generation on MQB platform – major improvement over previous generation
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
Fifth generation launched in SA in 2021 – completely new platform and design
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2021
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Van
Five-door compact SUV
Color Note
White, Silver, Black
-
Dealer Stock Note
Top grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Drivetrain Note
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
-
Model Year
Current
2024
Production Status
published
active
Segment
Van
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1707 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Van
SUV
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Length
4853 mm
4314 mm
Width
1855 mm
1809 mm
Height
1823 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2970 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
144 mm
175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
446 l
359 l
Kerb Weight
1707 kg
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2250 kg
1695 kg
Payload Capacity
543 kg
437 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
12.1 m
5.6 m
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
-
995 mm
Front Legroom
-
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
-
850 mm
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Front Track Width
1571 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1563 mm
-
Front Suspension
Not Available
Independent
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Torsion Beam
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Not Available
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
Not Available
Standard
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Not Available
Boot Space Seats Folded
1720 l
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
1720 l
-
AC Type
Not Available
ETC air conditioning
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Difflock
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Source Model Column
caddy
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
top
-
Variant Role
Entry or fleet-access derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Engine
Not Officially Disclosed
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
NSE
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1968 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Officially Disclosed
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
81 kW
84 kW
Maximum Torque
300 Nm
150 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
Not Officially Disclosed
FWD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
47.5 kW/tonne
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
175.7 Nm/tonne
119.24 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Gearbox
Manual
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
4x2
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
Not Applicable
4
Transmission Type
Manual
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Manual
Automatic
Drivetrain
4x2
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Available
Differential Type Front
Not Available
-
Differential Type Rear
Not Available
-
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Manual
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard
Not Available
-
Transmission Speeds
Not Applicable
4
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Claimed Mileage
18.2 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
14.8 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
21.3 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
18.2 km/l
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
50 l
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Airbags
Front airbags
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
Traction Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Standard
Brake Assist
Not Available
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Not Available
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Driver Airbag
Not Available
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
TCS
Not Available
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Not Available
Rear
Rear View Camera
Not Available
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Not Available
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
Reverse Camera
Not Available
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Seat Material
Not Applicable
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Available
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Steering Wheel Material
Not Applicable
Leather
Interior Colour Options
3
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Car-like cabin with 8-inch infotainment display, air conditioning, modern switchgear
-
Interior Colours
3
-
Seat Trim
Not Applicable
PVC + PU
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Infotainment System
Not Available
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Not Available
Standard
Android Auto
Not Available
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Not Available
Standard
Number of Speakers
Not Available
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Applicable
Not Available
USB Ports
Not Available
Standard
Infotainment Screen
Not Available
8-inch
Touchscreen
Not Available
8-inch
Spec
Caddy
ZS
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Roof Rails
Not Available
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
3
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Body Type
Van
-
Exterior Colour Options
3
-
Headlights
Not Available
Standard
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Approach Angle
Not Available
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
Not Available
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
144 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
144 mm
-
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Tyre Size
Not Available
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Not Available
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
17
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Mechanical
Spec
Caddy
ZS
CO2 Emissions
Not Applicable
165 g/km
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Diesel
-
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Basic Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Service Plan
Not Available
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
Caddy
ZS
Ownership Role
South Africa market model
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
722650 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Active local lineup
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
722650
309900
Starting Price Zar
722650
309900
In depth: how these cars differ
This Caddy and ZS 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: Caddy 44 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: Caddy 72 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: Caddy 88 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: Caddy 66 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: Caddy not separately scored vs ZS 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.
Model imagery
Caddy and ZS image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
Caddy leads by 10 points
Caddy has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Caddy
Performance
44/100
Efficiency
72/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
66/100
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexVolkswagen Caddy
leads the specification evidence index with 67 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Caddy leads. However, ZS 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.
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.
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