Mazda CX-30 vs Ford Territory

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 Territory in South Africa

Ford Territory

1.8T Dark Edition DCT Petrol Automatic
ZAR 593,500 from
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Territory
Fuel Economy CX-30
🛡 Safety CX-30
📦 Practicality Territory
🔑 Ownership CX-30
CX-30 starts ZAR 593500 cheaper CX-30 from ZAR 539,800 · Territory from ZAR 593,500

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec CX-30 Territory
Engine Power 121 kW -
Torque 213 Nm -
Engine Size 1998 cc -
Claimed Mileage 15.2 km/l -
Ground Clearance 175 mm 190 mm
Boot / Load Bay 295 l -
Airbags 7 -
Kerb Weight 1340 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km -

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

CX-30 holds a noticeable edge over Territory, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Territory +1 pts
Efficiency CX-30 +9 pts
Safety CX-30 +83 pts
Practicality Territory +13 pts
Ownership CX-30 +5 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

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

Territory

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

Territory

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-30 Territory
Model Introduced Year 2021 2023
Generation First-generation DM-series Mazda CX-30 using seventh-generation Mazda architecture First generation Territory in South Africa
Facelift History South African editions received a focused technology and equipment update in 2024, including the 10.25-inch display and revised connectivity. Recently introduced with modern design and technology
Facelift Launched Since 2021 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Discontinued - exact end year not confirmed
Body Style SUV -
Model Year 2026 -
Production Status Active -
Segment Compact crossover -
Vehicle Type SUV -
Spec CX-30 Territory
Ground Clearance 175 mm 190 mm
Wheelbase 2655 mm 2726 mm
Length 4395 mm 4630 mm
Width 1795 mm 1935 mm
Height 1540 mm 1706 mm
Kerb Weight 1340 kg -
Gross Vehicle Weight 1937 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 295 l -
Towing Capacity 1200 kg -
Turning Radius 5.7 m -
Load Bed Length 295 l -
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 -
Max Payload 597 kg -
Boot Volume 295 l -
Doors 5 -
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 60 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 1937 kg -
Ground Clearance Max 175 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance Min 175 mm 190 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 175 mm 190 mm
Height Mm 1540 mm 1706 mm
Length Mm 4395 mm 4630 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 295 l -
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 597 kg -
Cargo Volume 295 l -
Tare Mass Kg 1340 kg -
Turning Circle 5.7 m -
Turning Circle M 5.7 m -
Width Mm 1795 mm 1935 mm

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

CX-30 leads by 17 points

CX-30 holds a noticeable edge over Territory, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 60 /100
Lead 17 points
Data 94% confidence
60
#1 Winner

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
Leads by 17 points
43
#2

Territory

20% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Practicality 68 Check Safety 0
Performance 50
Efficiency 50
Safety 0
Practicality 68
Ownership 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Territory +1 Efficiency CX-30 +9 Safety CX-30 +83 Practicality Territory +13 Ownership CX-30 +5

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

CX-30

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

Territory

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 0/100
Practicality 68/100
Ownership 50/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Mazda CX-30 wins with 60 pts vs 43 pts for Territory

In structured scoring, CX-30 emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Territory 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-30 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 Territory 50. 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, Territory 0. 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, Territory 50. 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, Territory 68. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-30 49, Territory 50. 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-30 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

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

Performance: CX-30 scores 49 vs 50.

Efficiency: CX-30 scores 59 vs 50.

Safety: CX-30 scores 83 vs 0.

Practicality: CX-30 scores 55 vs 68.

Ownership: CX-30 scores 55 vs 50.

Final structured scoring gives CX-30 the advantage in this comparison.