Mazda CX-5 vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

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
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross in South Africa

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

1.5L GLS Exceed CVT 4x2 Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 620,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 13 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: the short answer

CX-5 and Eclipse Cross are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Eclipse Cross starts ZAR 35,510 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Eclipse Cross from ZAR 534,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Eclipse Cross
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Eclipse Cross110 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Eclipse Cross250 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Eclipse Cross1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Eclipse Cross13 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Eclipse Cross180 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

CX-5

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

Eclipse Cross

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-5

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

Eclipse Cross

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Eclipse Cross
Model Introduced Year 2017 2021
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range First-generation Eclipse Cross facelift
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. Current South African facelift specification.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Compact crossover SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec CX-5 Eclipse Cross
Length 4575 mm 4545 mm
Width 1845 mm 1805 mm
Height 1680 mm 1685 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2670 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 180 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 63 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 437 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1490 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2100 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 610 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 5.3 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1039 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 943 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 155 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1003 mm
Rear Headroom - 932 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Eclipse Cross 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 Eclipse Cross 52.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Eclipse Cross 51.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Eclipse Cross 76.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Eclipse Cross 64.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Eclipse Cross 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-5 leads by 2 points

CX-5 and Eclipse Cross are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 63 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 78% source coverage
63
#1 Evidence leader

CX-5

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 56
Safety 88
Practicality 61
Leads by 2 points
61
#2

Eclipse Cross

83% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 76 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 52
Efficiency 51
Safety 76
Practicality 64
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Eclipse Cross +4 Efficiency CX-5 +5 Safety CX-5 +12 Practicality Eclipse Cross +3

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

CX-5

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

Eclipse Cross

Performance 52/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 76/100
Practicality 64/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda CX-5 leads the specification evidence index with 63 pts vs 61 pts for Eclipse Cross

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CX-5 leads. However, Eclipse Cross 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 Africa models and comparable body styles.

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CX-5 vs Eclipse Cross 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.