Mazda CX-5 vs MG Cyberster

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-5 in South Africa

Mazda CX-5

2.0 Carbon Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 688,400 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
MG Cyberster in South Africa

MG Cyberster

Dual Motor 4WD Roadster Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,399,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 375 kW 🔧 725 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs MG Cyberster: the short answer

Cyberster has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

CX-5 starts ZAR 829,400 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Cyberster from ZAR 1,399,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Cyberster
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Cyberster375 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Cyberster725 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc CybersterNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l CybersterNot Applicable
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Cyberster116 mm

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

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Mazda CX-5

2.0 Carbon Edition Auto FWD

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

MG Cyberster

Dual Motor 4WD Roadster

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

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

Cyberster

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Cyberster

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Cyberster
Model Introduced Year 2017 2025
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range First-generation battery-electric Cyberster roadster in local dual-motor all-wheel-drive form.
Facelift History The second generation arrived in 2017 and received a substantial update from 2021. An all-new replacement is scheduled to reach South Africa on 1 August 2026, while this current range remains on sale. South African launch specification introduced as MG's electric halo in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Two-door, two-seat soft-top roadster
Model Year 2026 2025
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Electric Sports Roadster
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Convertible
Spec CX-5 Cyberster
Length 4575 mm 4535 mm
Width 1845 mm 1913 mm
Height 1680 mm 1329 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 116 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 249 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1985 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2210 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 225 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Doors 5 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 5.45 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1070 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm Not Applicable
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 1 rows
Front Headroom - 1043 mm
Rear Headroom - Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Cyberster 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-5 48 vs Cyberster 100.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Cyberster 90.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Cyberster 77.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Cyberster 34.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Cyberster 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

Cyberster leads by 12 points

Cyberster has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 63% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

Cyberster

63% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Practicality 34
Performance 100
Efficiency 90
Safety 77
Practicality 34
Leads by 12 points
63
#2

CX-5

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 56
Safety 88
Practicality 61
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Cyberster +52 Efficiency Cyberster +34 Safety CX-5 +11 Practicality CX-5 +27

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Cyberster

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 77/100
Practicality 34/100

CX-5

Performance 48/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 61/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index MG Cyberster leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Cyberster leads. However, CX-5 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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CX-5 vs Cyberster 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.