Mazda CX-30 vs Ford Everest

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.

Mazda CX-30 in South Africa

Mazda CX-30

2.0 Individual Edition Auto FWD Petrol Automatic
ZAR 651,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 15.2 km/l
VS
Ford Everest in South Africa

Ford Everest

3.0TD V6 Platinum 10AT 4WD Diesel Automatic
ZAR 1,340,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 184 kW 🔧 600 Nm ⛽ 11.8 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Everest
Fuel Economy CX-30
🛡 Safety CX-30
📦 Practicality Everest
🔑 Ownership CX-30
CX-30 starts ZAR 825000 cheaper CX-30 from ZAR 539,800 · Everest from ZAR 825,000

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec CX-30 Everest
Engine Power 121 kW 184 kW
Torque 213 Nm 600 Nm
Engine Size 1998 cc 2993 cc
Claimed Mileage 15.2 km/l 11.8 km/l
Ground Clearance 175 mm 226 mm
Boot / Load Bay 295 l Three-row cargo area
Airbags 7 6
Kerb Weight 1340 kg 2450 kg
Seating Capacity 5 7
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 4 years / 120 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both CX-30 and Everest are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Everest +42 pts
Efficiency CX-30 +7 pts
Safety CX-30 +38 pts
Practicality Everest +37 pts
Ownership CX-30 +21 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-30

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency
🏆 Overall Winner

Everest

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

CX-30

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Everest

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-30 Everest
Model Introduced Year 2021 2015
Generation First-generation DM-series Mazda CX-30 using seventh-generation Mazda architecture Currently sold Everest belongs to the latest generation with enhanced comfort and safety systems
Facelift History South African editions received a focused technology and equipment update in 2024, including the 10.25-inch display and revised connectivity. Major generational update in 2022 with improved safety, technology, and design
Facelift Launched Since 2021 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact crossover Large SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0TD V6 Platinum 10AT 4WD
Spec CX-30 Everest
Ground Clearance 175 mm 226 mm
Wheelbase 2655 mm 2900 mm
Length 4395 mm 4914 mm
Width 1795 mm 1923 mm
Height 1540 mm 1842 mm
Kerb Weight 1340 kg 2450 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 1937 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 7
Boot Space 295 l Three-row cargo area
Towing Capacity 1200 kg 3500 kg
Turning Radius 5.7 m -
Load Bed Length 295 l Three-row cargo area
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom 1058 mm -
Rear Legroom 921 mm -
Front Shoulder Room 1412 mm -
Rear Shoulder Room 1361 mm -
Boot Space Seats Folded 1200 l -
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 597 kg -
Boot Volume 295 l Three-row cargo area
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 7
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 80 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 1937 kg -
Ground Clearance Max 175 mm 226 mm
Ground Clearance Min 175 mm 226 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 175 mm 226 mm
Height Mm 1540 mm 1842 mm
Length Mm 4395 mm 4914 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 295 l Three-row cargo area
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 597 kg -
Cargo Volume 295 l Three-row cargo area
Tare Mass Kg 1340 kg 2450 kg
Turning Circle 5.7 m -
Turning Circle M 5.7 m -
Width Mm 1795 mm 1923 mm
Front Track Width - -
Rear Track Width - -
Front Headroom - -
Rear Headroom - -

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Everest leads by 6 points

Both CX-30 and Everest are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 66 /100
Lead 6 points
Data 77% confidence
66
#1 Winner

Everest

77% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Practicality 92 Check Ownership 34
Performance 91
Efficiency 52
Safety 45
Practicality 92
Ownership 34
Leads by 6 points
60
#2

CX-30

94% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 83 Check Performance 49
Performance 49
Efficiency 59
Safety 83
Practicality 55
Ownership 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Everest +42 Efficiency CX-30 +7 Safety CX-30 +38 Practicality Everest +37 Ownership CX-30 +21

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Everest

Performance 91/100
Efficiency 52/100
Safety 45/100
Practicality 92/100
Ownership 34/100

CX-30

Performance 49/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 83/100
Practicality 55/100
Ownership 55/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Ford Everest wins with 66 pts vs 60 pts for CX-30

In structured scoring, Everest emerges as the stronger overall package. However, CX-30 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 Everest 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: CX-30 59 vs Everest 52. 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: CX-30 83, Everest 45. 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: CX-30 55, Everest 34. 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: CX-30 55, Everest 92. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-30 49, Everest 91. 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 Everest edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Everest 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 CX-30 and Everest in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-30 scores 49 vs 91.

Efficiency: CX-30 scores 59 vs 52.

Safety: CX-30 scores 83 vs 45.

Practicality: CX-30 scores 55 vs 92.

Ownership: CX-30 scores 55 vs 34.

Final structured scoring gives Everest the advantage in this comparison.