Mazda CX-30 vs MG ZS Pro

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 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 651,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 15.2 km/l
VS
MG ZS Pro in South Africa

MG ZS Pro

1.5T CVT Luxury Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 431,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 125 kW 🔧 275 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-30 vs MG ZS Pro: the short answer

CX-30 and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

ZS Pro starts ZAR 142,200 cheaper CX-30 from ZAR 539,800 · ZS Pro from ZAR 397,600

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-30 ZS Pro
Maximum Power CX-30121 kW @ 6000 rpm ZS Pro125 kW
Maximum Torque CX-30213 Nm @ 4000 rpm ZS Pro275 Nm
Engine Size CX-301998 cc ZS Pro1496 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-3015.2 km/l ZS Pro14.5 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-30175 mm ZS Pro161 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

CX-30

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

ZS Pro

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

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

ZS Pro

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-30 ZS Pro
Model Introduced Year 2021 2025
Generation First-generation DM-series Mazda CX-30 using seventh-generation Mazda architecture Current South African ZS Pro compact SUV with a 1.5-litre turbo engine, CVT and two-grade matrix.
Facelift History South African editions received a focused technology and equipment update in 2024, including the 10.25-inch display and revised connectivity. Launched locally in 2025 while the value-led ZS remained current.
Facelift Launched Since 2021 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Five-door compact SUV
Model Year 2026 2025
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact crossover Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1340 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-30 ZS Pro
Length 4395 mm 4430 mm
Width 1795 mm 1818 mm
Height 1540 mm 1635 mm
Wheelbase 2655 mm 2610 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 161 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 295 l 443 l
Kerb Weight 1340 kg 1390 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1937 kg 1840 kg
Payload Capacity 597 kg 450 kg
Towing Capacity 1200 kg 500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom 921 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 875 mm
Rear Headroom - 865 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-30 and ZS Pro 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: CX-30 49 vs ZS Pro 56.

Efficiency index: CX-30 59 vs ZS Pro 58.

Safety-equipment index: CX-30 96 vs ZS Pro 91.

Practicality index: CX-30 55 vs ZS Pro 55.

Ownership-cover index: CX-30 not separately scored vs ZS Pro 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

CX-30 leads by 0 points

CX-30 and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 0 points
Data 78% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

CX-30

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Performance 49
Performance 49
Efficiency 59
Safety 96
Practicality 55
Leads by 0 points
65
#2

ZS Pro

80% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Practicality 55
Performance 56
Efficiency 58
Safety 91
Practicality 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance ZS Pro +7 Efficiency CX-30 +1 Safety CX-30 +5 Practicality Level

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

CX-30

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

ZS Pro

Performance 56/100
Efficiency 58/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 55/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda CX-30 leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 65 pts for ZS Pro

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CX-30 leads. However, ZS Pro 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 African models and comparable body styles.

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CX-30 vs ZS Pro 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.