Mazda CX-5 vs Changan Hunter Diesel

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
Changan Hunter Diesel in South Africa

Changan Hunter Diesel

4WD AT CE Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 569,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 10.99 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Changan Hunter Diesel: the short answer

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

Hunter Diesel starts ZAR 120,600 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Hunter Diesel from ZAR 449,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Hunter Diesel
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Hunter Diesel110 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Hunter Diesel350 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Hunter Diesel2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Hunter Diesel10.99 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Hunter Diesel226 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

Changan Hunter Diesel

4WD AT CE

Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5

Desk research · Exact variant

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
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Hunter Diesel

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • 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

Hunter Diesel

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Hunter Diesel
Model Introduced Year 2017 2025
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Current South African Hunter double-cab diesel generation with one 2WD manual and one 4WD automatic derivative.
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 South African facelift has been announced for the current Hunter Diesel range.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style SUV Double-cab pickup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Double-cab bakkie
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Light commercial vehicle
Spec CX-5 Hunter Diesel
Length 4575 mm 5330 mm
Width 1845 mm 1930 mm
Height 1680 mm 1875 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 3180 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 226 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2060 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 3080 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 1000 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 13 m
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 - 2 rows
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Hunter Diesel 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 Hunter Diesel 62.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Hunter Diesel 45.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Hunter Diesel 88.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Hunter Diesel 75.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Hunter Diesel 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

Hunter Diesel leads by 6 points

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

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 6 points
Data 61% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

Hunter Diesel

61% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Efficiency 45
Performance 62
Efficiency 45
Safety 88
Practicality 75
Leads by 6 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 Hunter Diesel +14 Efficiency CX-5 +11 Safety Level Practicality Hunter Diesel +14

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Hunter Diesel

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 75/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Changan Hunter Diesel leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hunter Diesel leads. However, CX-5 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

CX-5 vs Hunter Diesel 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.