Mazda CX-30 vs Lexus LX

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.

Mazda CX-30 in South Africa

Mazda CX-30

2.0 Individual Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 651,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 15.2 km/l
VS
Lexus LX in South Africa

Lexus LX

LX 500d F SPORT Diesel 10-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 2,687,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 225 kW 🔧 700 Nm ⛽ 11.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-30 vs Lexus LX: the short answer

LX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-30.

CX-30 starts ZAR 2,147,700 cheaper CX-30 from ZAR 539,800 · LX from ZAR 2,687,500

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-30 LX
Maximum Power CX-30121 kW @ 6000 rpm LX225 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-30213 Nm @ 4000 rpm LX700 Nm
Engine Size CX-301998 cc LX3300 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-3015.2 km/l LX11.9 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-30175 mm LX205 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-30

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

LX

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-30

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

LX

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-30 LX
Model Introduced Year 2021 2022
Generation First-generation DM-series Mazda CX-30 using seventh-generation Mazda architecture Fourth-generation Lexus LX flagship body-on-frame SUV
Facelift History South African editions received a focused technology and equipment update in 2024, including the 10.25-inch display and revised connectivity. Current range adds LX 700h hybrid and Overtrail grades while retaining LX 500d diesel choices
Facelift Launched Since 2021 Current range adds LX 700h hybrid and Overtrail grades while retaining LX 500d diesel choices
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Compact crossover Luxury SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1340 kg 2670 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-30 LX
Length 4395 mm 5090 mm
Width 1795 mm 1990 mm
Height 1540 mm 1895 mm
Wheelbase 2655 mm 2850 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 205 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 110 l
Boot/Cargo Space 295 l 1109 l
Kerb Weight 1340 kg 2670 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1937 kg 3280 kg
Payload Capacity 597 kg 610 kg
Towing Capacity 1200 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 6 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm -
Rear Legroom 921 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-30 and LX 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: CX-30 49 vs LX 98.

Efficiency index: CX-30 59 vs LX 47.

Safety-equipment index: CX-30 96 vs LX 93.

Practicality index: CX-30 55 vs LX 84.

Ownership-cover index: CX-30 not separately scored vs LX 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

LX leads by 18 points

LX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-30.

Evidence leader 83 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 69% source coverage
83
#1 Evidence leader

LX

69% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 98 Check Efficiency 47
Performance 98
Efficiency 47
Safety 93
Practicality 84
Leads by 18 points
65
#2

CX-30

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Performance 49
Performance 49
Efficiency 59
Safety 96
Practicality 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance LX +49 Efficiency CX-30 +12 Safety CX-30 +3 Practicality LX +29

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

LX

Performance 98/100
Efficiency 47/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 84/100

CX-30

Performance 49/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 55/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Lexus LX leads the specification evidence index with 83 pts vs 65 pts for CX-30

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, LX leads. However, CX-30 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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CX-30 vs LX questions

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.