Mazda CX-5 vs Ford EcoSport

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.

Includes a historical vehicle

Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Ford EcoSport Discontinued model
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
Ford EcoSport in South Africa

Ford EcoSport

1.0 EcoBoost Titanium Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Discontinued model
ZAR 395,000 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 92 kW 🔧 170 Nm ⛽ 17.2 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Ford EcoSport: the short answer

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

Recorded price context CX-5: current from ZAR 570,500 · EcoSport: last listed from ZAR 310,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 EcoSport
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm EcoSport92 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm EcoSport170 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc EcoSport998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l EcoSport17.2 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm EcoSport200 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
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

EcoSport

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

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

EcoSport

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec CX-5 EcoSport
Model Introduced Year 2017 2013
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Single generation on Ford B2E platform. Produced in India for global markets. SA received the facelift model with improved interior quality and revised safety kit.
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. Facelift in 2017 — revised front fascia and SYNC 3 infotainment introduced
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2017
Facelift Version Ending Current 2024
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2021
Production Status Active discontinued
Segment Mid-size family SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 1290 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-5 EcoSport
Length 4575 mm 4325 mm
Width 1845 mm 1765 mm
Height 1680 mm 1653 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2519 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 200 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 52 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 352 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1290 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 1740 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 450 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 950 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 5.6 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1032 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 890 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 125 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1000 mm
Rear Headroom - 953 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and EcoSport 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 EcoSport 40.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs EcoSport 65.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs EcoSport 92.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs EcoSport 56.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs EcoSport 55.

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 EcoSport 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

EcoSport

92% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 40
Performance 40
Efficiency 65
Safety 92
Practicality 56
Ownership 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-5 +8 Efficiency EcoSport +9 Safety EcoSport +4 Practicality CX-5 +5

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

EcoSport

Performance 40/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 56/100
Ownership 55/100

What the evidence means

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

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CX-5 leads. However, EcoSport 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.

CX-5
CX-5
VS
CX-3
CX-3
CX-5 vs CX-3 →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Jimny 5-Door
Jimny 5-Door
CX-5 vs Jimny 5-Door →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
CX-5 vs Tiggo 4 Cross HEV →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Dashing
Dashing
CX-5 vs Dashing →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Jimny
Jimny
CX-5 vs Jimny →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Jolion Pro Limited
Jolion Pro Limited
CX-5 vs Jolion Pro Limited →
EcoSport
EcoSportDiscontinued
VS
CX-3
CX-3
EcoSport vs CX-3 →
EcoSport
EcoSportDiscontinued
VS
Jimny 5-Door
Jimny 5-Door
EcoSport vs Jimny 5-Door →

CX-5 vs EcoSport 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.