Mazda CX-5 vs GWM H6 GT PHEV

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 Automatic
ZAR 688,400 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
GWM H6 GT PHEV in South Africa

GWM H6 GT PHEV

1.5T Ultra Luxury 4WD PHEV DHT Phev Automatic
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 321 kW 🔧 762 Nm ⛽ 125 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance H6 GT PHEV
⛽ Fuel Economy H6 GT PHEV
🛡 Safety CX-5
📦 Practicality CX-5
🔑 Ownership H6 GT PHEV
CX-5 starts ZAR 799900 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · H6 GT PHEV from ZAR 799,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec CX-5 H6 GT PHEV
Engine Power 121 kW 321 kW
Torque 213 Nm 762 Nm
Engine Size 1998 cc 1500 cc
Claimed Mileage 14.5 km/l 125 km/l
Ground Clearance 200 mm 170 mm
Boot / Load Bay 438 l 392 l
Airbags 6 Front double, front side and side curtain airbags
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2075 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both CX-5 and H6 GT PHEV are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance H6 GT PHEV +52 pts
Efficiency H6 GT PHEV +41 pts
Safety CX-5 +73 pts
Practicality CX-5 +1 pts
Ownership H6 GT PHEV +10 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

Strengths
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

H6 GT PHEV

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

H6 GT PHEV

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 H6 GT PHEV
Model Introduced Year 2017 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Current South African H6 GT PHEV listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
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. Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Coupe SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Mid-size family SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5T Ultra Luxury 4WD PHEV DHT
Spec CX-5 H6 GT PHEV
Ground Clearance 200 mm 170 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2738 mm
Length 4575 mm 4727 mm
Width 1845 mm 1940 mm
Height 1680 mm 1729 mm
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2075 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 2065 kg 2525 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 438 l 392 l
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 1500 kg
Turning Radius 5.95 m -
Load Bed Length 438 l 392 l
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom 1041 mm -
Rear Legroom 1007 mm -
Front Shoulder Room 1451 mm -
Rear Shoulder Room 1391 mm -
Boot Space Seats Folded 1340 l 1390 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 490 kg -
Boot Volume 438 l 392 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 55 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 2065 kg 2525 kg
Ground Clearance Max 200 mm 170 mm
Ground Clearance Min 200 mm 170 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 200 mm 170 mm
Height Mm 1680 mm 1729 mm
Length Mm 4575 mm 4727 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 438 l 392 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 490 kg -
Cargo Volume 438 l 392 l
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 2075 kg
Turning Circle 5.95 m -
Turning Circle M 5.95 m -
Width Mm 1845 mm 1940 mm
Front Track Width - -
Rear Track Width - -
Front Headroom - -
Rear Headroom - -

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

H6 GT PHEV leads by 4 points

Both CX-5 and H6 GT PHEV are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 65 /100
Lead 4 points
Data 81% confidence
65
#1 Winner

H6 GT PHEV

81% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Safety 9
Performance 100
Efficiency 97
Safety 9
Practicality 60
Ownership 65
Leads by 4 points
61
#2

CX-5

94% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 82 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 56
Safety 82
Practicality 61
Ownership 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance H6 GT PHEV +52 Efficiency H6 GT PHEV +41 Safety CX-5 +73 Practicality CX-5 +1 Ownership H6 GT PHEV +10

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

H6 GT PHEV

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 97/100
Safety 9/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-5

Performance 48/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 82/100
Practicality 61/100
Ownership 55/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM H6 GT PHEV wins with 65 pts vs 61 pts for CX-5

In structured scoring, H6 GT PHEV emerges as the stronger overall package. However, CX-5 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the H6 GT PHEV edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: CX-5 56 vs H6 GT PHEV 97. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: CX-5 82, H6 GT PHEV 9. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: CX-5 55, H6 GT PHEV 65. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: CX-5 61, H6 GT PHEV 60. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-5 48, H6 GT PHEV 100. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The H6 GT PHEV edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The H6 GT PHEV scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between CX-5 and H6 GT PHEV in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-5 scores 48 vs 100.

Efficiency: CX-5 scores 56 vs 97.

Safety: CX-5 scores 82 vs 9.

Practicality: CX-5 scores 61 vs 60.

Ownership: CX-5 scores 55 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives H6 GT PHEV the advantage in this comparison.