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.
2.0 Carbon Edition Auto FWDPetrol6-Speed AutomaticCurrent
ZAR 688,400ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW🔧 213 Nm⛽ 14.5 km/l
+Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
Toyota Corolla Cross vs Mazda CX-5: the short answer
Corolla Cross and CX-5 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Corolla Cross starts ZAR 185,500 cheaperCorolla Cross from ZAR 385,000 · CX-5 from ZAR 570,500
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Maximum Power
Corolla Cross72 kW @ 5200 rpm
CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Corolla Cross142 Nm @ 3600 rpm
CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size
Corolla Cross1798 cc
CX-51998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Corolla Cross23.3 km/l
CX-514.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
Corolla Cross161 mm
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.
Toyota Corolla Cross
1.8 HEV GR-S CVT
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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
Corolla Cross
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
CX-5
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Corolla Cross
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
CX-5
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Model Introduced Year
2026
2017
Generation
Facelifted first-generation Corolla Cross built in South Africa
Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range
Facelift History
2026 range adds petrol and HEV GR-S derivatives alongside Xi, XS and XR grades
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
2026 range adds petrol and HEV GR-S derivatives alongside Xi, XS and XR grades
2017
Facelift Version Ending
Current South African 2026 specification
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
SUV
Mid-size family SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1385-1430 kg
1575 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Length
4460 mm
4575 mm
Width
1825 mm
1845 mm
Height
1620 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2640 mm
2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
161 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
36 l
56 l
Boot/Cargo Space
434 l
438 l
Kerb Weight
1545 kg
1575 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1850 kg
2065 kg
Payload Capacity
443 kg
490 kg
Towing Capacity
400 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
5.95 m
Front Headroom
984 mm
-
Rear Headroom
943 mm
-
Front Legroom
1039 mm
1041 mm
Rear Legroom
899 mm
1007 mm
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Front Track Width
1559 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1571 mm
-
Front Suspension
Tread (mm) 1559
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Tread (mm) 1571
Multi-link
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Auto Dual zone Standard Cable
Dual-zone climate control
Power Windows
All All One Touch
Front & Rear
Keyless Entry
Standard Smart Entry
Smart
Push Button Start
GR-S Push Start
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Electric Sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Standard Power and Handsfree
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Auto Dual zone Standard Cable
Dual-zone climate control
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1340 l
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Engine
1.8-litre Petrol Hybrid SFI
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Market-specific engine family
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Self Charging Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1798 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Petrol Hybrid SFI
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
13.0:1
Bore
80.5 mm
83.5 mm
Stroke
88.3 mm
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
72 kW @ 5200 rpm
121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
142 Nm @ 3600 rpm
213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Combined Power
1 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
1 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated transmission electric motor
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
CVT
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
170 km/h
182 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.8 sec
10.3 sec
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
76.8 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
135.2 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
400 V
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
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Gearbox
CVT
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
4.624
Number of Gears
Not Applicable
6
Transmission Type
CVT
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
-
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
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 Available
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
CVT
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
FWD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not Applicable
6
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Claimed Mileage
23.3 km/l
14.5 km/l
City Mileage
18.8 km/l
11.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
27.1 km/l
17.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
36 l
56 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Available
Standard
Real-world Mileage
23.3 km/l
14.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
36
56
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
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Airbags
Passenger, Driver Knee
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
-
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard Rear door
-
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard 2 Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
-
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front + Rear
Front & Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Standard Front + Rear
Not Available
AEB
Standard
-
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
-
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
ELR, Pretensioner, Force Limiter Front and Rear
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front + Rear
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Not Available
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
-
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard Front + Rear
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Panoramic View Monitor
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
-
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Standard
Auto Wipers
Auto, Rainsensing
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard Front + Rear
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Not Available
Park Assist
Yes
-
Around View Monitor
Panoramic View Monitor
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
-
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Seat Material
GR-S Leather
Black Leather & Suede Combination
Heated Seats
Front Seats
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
3 Spoke GR-S Leather
with red stitching
60 40 Split Seat
60:40 - Reclining
(40:20:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
Driver Power & Passenger Manual
8-Way Power adjustable w. memory (Driver) 6-Way Power adjustment (Passenger)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Driver Power & Passenger Manual
8-Way Power adjustable w. memory (Driver) 6-Way Power adjustment (Passenger)
Current paint selection depends on edition and remaining dealer allocation as the next-generation CX-5 approaches local launch.
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Electric Sunroof
Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Approach Angle
18 deg
-
Departure Angle
22 deg
22.5 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
-
Terrain Modes
Normal / Eco / Power
Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
-
Ground Clearance Max
161 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance Min
161 mm
200 mm
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Tyre Size
AL R:GR-S 225-50R18 AL
225/55 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space Saver T155-70D17 F:GR-S 225-50R18
Temporary spare 155/80 R17
Wheel Rim Size
AL R:GR-S 225-50R18 AL
19x7J
Handbrake Type
Electric
Electronic
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Service Interval
12 months / 15 000 km
-
Battery Warranty
8 years 160 000 km
-
Service Plan
6 Services / 90 000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
CO2 Emissions
98 g/km
160 g/km
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Ownership Role
Private and family
style-focused upper derivative
Price Zar
575400 ZAR
688400 ZAR
Pricing Role
Flagship
style-focused upper derivative
Starting Price
575400
688400
Starting Price Zar
575400
688400
Spec
Corolla Cross
CX-5
Warranty
3 years / 100 000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Corolla Cross and CX-5 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: Corolla Cross 41 vs CX-5 48.
Efficiency index: Corolla Cross 90 vs CX-5 56.
Safety-equipment index: Corolla Cross 94 vs CX-5 88.
Practicality index: Corolla Cross 54 vs CX-5 61.
Ownership-cover index: Corolla Cross 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.
Model imagery
Corolla Cross and CX-5 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
Corolla Cross leads by 5 points
Corolla Cross and CX-5 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Corolla Cross
Performance
41/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
54/100
CX-5
Performance
48/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
61/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexToyota Corolla Cross
leads the specification evidence index with 68 pts
vs 63 pts for CX-5
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Corolla Cross 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 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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