Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Hilux Double Cab

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
Toyota Hilux Double Cab in South Africa

Toyota Hilux Double Cab

2.8 GD-6 4X4 LEGEND MHEV 6AT Diesel Mild Hybrid 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 999,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 500 Nm ⛽ 13.3 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota Hilux Double Cab: the short answer

Hilux Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

Hilux Double Cab starts ZAR 91,300 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Hilux Double Cab from ZAR 479,200

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Hilux Double Cab
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Hilux Double Cab150 kW @ 3000-3400 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Hilux Double Cab500 Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Hilux Double Cab2755 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Hilux Double Cab13.3 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Hilux Double Cab312 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

Toyota Hilux Double Cab

2.8 GD-6 4X4 LEGEND MHEV 6AT

Hagalu editorial rating
4.5/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

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
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Hilux Double Cab

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Hilux Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • 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 Hilux Double Cab
Model Introduced Year 2017 2026
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Ninth-generation Hilux Double Cab launched in South Africa in 2026
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. All-new ninth-generation South African model introduced in 2026
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2026
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African specification
Body Style SUV Pickup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Bakkie
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Light Commercial Vehicle
Spec CX-5 Hilux Double Cab
Length 4575 mm 5320 mm
Width 1845 mm 1885 mm
Height 1680 mm 1865 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 3085 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 312 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 1145.8 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2155 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2950 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 795 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 6.3 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 700 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 185 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1000 mm
Rear Headroom - 930 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Hilux Double Cab 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 Hilux Double Cab 74.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Hilux Double Cab 55.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Hilux Double Cab 99.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Hilux Double Cab 90.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Hilux Double Cab 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

Hilux Double Cab leads by 18 points

Hilux Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

Evidence leader 81 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 83% source coverage
81
#1 Evidence leader

Hilux Double Cab

83% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Efficiency 55
Performance 74
Efficiency 55
Safety 99
Practicality 90
Leads by 18 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 Hilux Double Cab +26 Efficiency CX-5 +1 Safety Hilux Double Cab +11 Practicality Hilux Double Cab +29

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Hilux Double Cab

Performance 74/100
Efficiency 55/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 90/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Toyota Hilux Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hilux Double Cab 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 Hilux Double Cab 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.