Chery Chery Q 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.

Chery Chery Q in South Africa

Chery Chery Q

Upcoming
Launch price pending
Upcoming in South Africa Confirmed launch information and specifications remain visible while final availability is pending.
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

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Chery Q
Fuel Economy CX-5
🛡 Safety CX-5
📦 Practicality CX-5
🔑 Ownership CX-5

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Chery Q CX-5
Maximum Power - 121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque - 213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size - 1998 cc
Claimed Mileage - 14.5 km/l
Ground Clearance - 200 mm
Boot / Load Bay - 438 l
Airbags - 6
Kerb Weight - 1575 kg
Seating Capacity - -
Warranty - 5 Years/Unlimited km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

CX-5 holds a noticeable edge over Chery Q, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Chery Q +2 pts
Efficiency CX-5 +6 pts
Safety CX-5 +82 pts
Practicality CX-5 +11 pts
Ownership CX-5 +5 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Chery Q

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving
🏆 Overall Winner

CX-5

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

Chery Q

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power

CX-5

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Chery Q CX-5
Model Introduced Year - 2017
Generation - Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range
Facelift History - 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 - 2017
Facelift Version Ending - Current
Body Style - SUV
Model Year - 2026
Production Status - Active
Segment - Mid-size family SUV
Vehicle Type - SUV
Tare Mass Kg - 1575 kg
Spec Chery Q CX-5
Drivetrain Layout - Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Transfer Case - Not Applicable
Differential Lock - Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters - Standard
Gearbox - 6-Speed Auto
Final Drive Ratio - 4.624
Number of Gears - 6
Transmission Type - Automatic
Drivetrain - FWD
4WD Engagement - Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range - Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range - Not Applicable
4WD Selector - Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles - Standard
Front Differential Lock - Not Applicable
Gearbox Type - Automatic
Low Range Ratio - Not Applicable
Low Range - Not Applicable
Axle Layout - 4x2
Rear Differential Lock - Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds - 6
Gear Shift Type - Automatic

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

CX-5 leads by 22 points

CX-5 holds a noticeable edge over Chery Q, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 61 /100
Lead 22 points
Data 94% confidence
61
#1 Winner

CX-5

94% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 82 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 56
Safety 82
Practicality 61
Ownership 55
Leads by 22 points
39
#2

Chery Q

11% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Performance 50 Check Safety 0
Performance 50
Efficiency 50
Safety 0
Practicality 50
Ownership 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Chery Q +2 Efficiency CX-5 +6 Safety CX-5 +82 Practicality CX-5 +11 Ownership CX-5 +5

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

CX-5

Performance 48/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 82/100
Practicality 61/100
Ownership 55/100

Chery Q

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 50/100
Ownership 50/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Mazda CX-5 wins with 61 pts vs 39 pts for Chery Q

In structured scoring, CX-5 emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Chery Q may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the CX-5 edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Chery Q 50 vs CX-5 56. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Chery Q 0, CX-5 82. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Chery Q 50, CX-5 55. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Chery Q 50, CX-5 61. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Chery Q 50, CX-5 48. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The CX-5 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The CX-5 scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Chery Q and CX-5 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Chery Q scores 50 vs 48.

Efficiency: Chery Q scores 50 vs 56.

Safety: Chery Q scores 0 vs 82.

Practicality: Chery Q scores 50 vs 61.

Ownership: Chery Q scores 50 vs 55.

Final structured scoring gives CX-5 the advantage in this comparison.