Mazda CX-5 vs Geely E5 EM-i

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-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
Geely E5 EM-i in South Africa

Geely E5 EM-i

Apex Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 679,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 125 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Geely E5 EM-i: the short answer

CX-5 and E5 EM-i are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

CX-5 starts ZAR 29,499 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · E5 EM-i from ZAR 599,999

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 E5 EM-i
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm E5 EM-i73 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm E5 EM-i125 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc E5 EM-i1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

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

E5 EM-i

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

E5 EM-i

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 E5 EM-i
Model Introduced Year 2017 2025
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published
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. No applicable South African facelift history established
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Passenger vehicle
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-5 E5 EM-i
Length 4575 mm 4740 mm
Width 1845 mm 1905 mm
Height 1680 mm 1685 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2755 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 528 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1770 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 490 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 1000 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats Not Officially Disclosed
Doors 5 doors Not Officially Disclosed
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1041 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 1007 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and E5 EM-i 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-5 48 vs E5 EM-i 39.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs E5 EM-i 79.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs E5 EM-i 91.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs E5 EM-i 74.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs E5 EM-i 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

E5 EM-i leads by 7 points

CX-5 and E5 EM-i are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 70 /100
Lead 7 points
Data 51% source coverage
70
#1 Evidence leader

E5 EM-i

51% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 39
Performance 39
Efficiency 79
Safety 91
Practicality 74
Leads by 7 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 CX-5 +9 Efficiency E5 EM-i +23 Safety E5 EM-i +3 Practicality E5 EM-i +13

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

E5 EM-i

Performance 39/100
Efficiency 79/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 74/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Geely E5 EM-i leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, E5 EM-i leads. However, CX-5 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.

CX-5
CX-5
VS
H6
H6
CX-5 vs H6 →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Tiggo 7 PHEV
Tiggo 7 PHEV
CX-5 vs Tiggo 7 PHEV →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
T2
T2
CX-5 vs T2 →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Tucson
Tucson
CX-5 vs Tucson →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Tiggo 8 Pro Max
Tiggo 8 Pro Max
CX-5 vs Tiggo 8 Pro Max →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Harrier
Harrier
CX-5 vs Harrier →
E5 EM-i
E5 EM-i
VS
H6
H6
E5 EM-i vs H6 →
E5 EM-i
E5 EM-i
VS
Tiggo 7 PHEV
Tiggo 7 PHEV
E5 EM-i vs Tiggo 7 PHEV →

CX-5 vs E5 EM-i 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.