Honda CR-V vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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.

Honda CR-V in South Africa

Honda CR-V

2.0 Hybrid e:HEV Hybrid e-CVT Current
ZAR 819,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 204 kW 🔧 335 Nm ⛽ 20 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Exceed 1.5L CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 499,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW 🔧 141 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Honda CR-V vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: the short answer

CR-V holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Outlander Sport.

Outlander Sport starts ZAR 239,910 cheaper CR-V from ZAR 689,900 · Outlander Sport from ZAR 449,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CR-V Outlander Sport
Maximum Power CR-V204 kW Outlander Sport77 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque CR-V335 Nm Outlander Sport141 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size CR-V1993 cc Outlander Sport1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CR-V20 km/l Outlander Sport16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance CR-V198 mm Outlander Sport193 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

CR-V

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

Outlander Sport

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?

CR-V

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

Outlander Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CR-V Outlander Sport
Model Introduced Year 2023 2025
Generation Built on Honda’s global SUV platform with focus on comfort and safety First South African Outlander Sport generation, Mitsubishi Xforce architecture
Facelift History Latest generation introduced with improved design, features, and safety technology Introduced locally in January 2025 and replaced ASX.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1750 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec CR-V Outlander Sport
Length 4690 mm 4390 mm
Width 1860 mm 1810 mm
Height 1690 mm 1660 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2650 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 198 mm 193 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 198 mm 195 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 57 l 42 l
Boot/Cargo Space 497 l 480 l
Kerb Weight 1750 kg 1250 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2250 kg 1730 kg
Payload Capacity 500 kg 480 kg
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 5.2 m
Front Headroom 970 mm 950 mm
Rear Headroom 970 mm 880 mm
Front Legroom 1049 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 1041 mm 370 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CR-V and Outlander Sport 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: CR-V 77 vs Outlander Sport 30.

Efficiency index: CR-V 80 vs Outlander Sport 62.

Safety-equipment index: CR-V 91 vs Outlander Sport 73.

Practicality index: CR-V 66 vs Outlander Sport 67.

Ownership-cover index: CR-V 60 vs Outlander Sport 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

CR-V leads by 19 points

CR-V holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Outlander Sport.

Evidence leader 76 /100
Lead 19 points
Data 94% source coverage
76
#1 Evidence leader

CR-V

94% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Ownership 60
Performance 77
Efficiency 80
Safety 91
Practicality 66
Ownership 60
Leads by 19 points
57
#2

Outlander Sport

79% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 73 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 62
Safety 73
Practicality 67
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CR-V +47 Efficiency CR-V +18 Safety CR-V +18 Practicality Outlander Sport +1

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

CR-V

Performance 77/100
Efficiency 80/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 66/100
Ownership 60/100

Outlander Sport

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 73/100
Practicality 67/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Honda CR-V leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts vs 57 pts for Outlander Sport

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CR-V leads. However, Outlander Sport may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

CR-V vs Outlander Sport 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.