Mazda CX-5 vs Hyundai IONIQ 5

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.

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.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 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
Hyundai IONIQ 5 in South Africa

Hyundai IONIQ 5

72kWh AWD Executive Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Discontinued model
ZAR 1,068,900 last listed
Discontinued model Verified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 225 kW 🔧 605 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Hyundai IONIQ 5: the short answer

IONIQ 5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

Recorded price context CX-5: current from ZAR 570,500 · IONIQ 5: last listed from ZAR 859,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 IONIQ 5
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm IONIQ 5225 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm IONIQ 5605 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc IONIQ 5Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l IONIQ 5Not Applicable
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm IONIQ 5160 mm

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

Evidence for Hyundai IONIQ 5 72kWh AWD Executive

Source type: Hagalu catalogue record

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

IONIQ 5

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

IONIQ 5

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

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 IONIQ 5
Model Introduced Year 2017 2022
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range First generation Ioniq 5 on Hyundai's dedicated E-GMP electric platform; 800V fast charging architecture allows rapid 18-minute charge from 10-80% at suitable DC fast chargers
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. Launched in SA in 2022; updates to battery specifications and charging capabilities followed; the car has been on Hyundai SA's EV flagship from launch
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Not confirmed
Body Style SUV Not confirmed
Model Year 2026 Not confirmed
Production Status Active Not confirmed
Segment Mid-size family SUV Not confirmed
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 2190 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Not confirmed
Spec CX-5 IONIQ 5
Length 4575 mm 4635 mm
Width 1845 mm 1890 mm
Height 1680 mm 1605 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 3000 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 72.6 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 527 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2190 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg Not confirmed
Payload Capacity 490 kg Not confirmed
Towing Capacity 1000 kg Not confirmed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m Not confirmed
Front Legroom 1041 mm Not confirmed
Rear Legroom 1007 mm Not confirmed

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and IONIQ 5 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. 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 IONIQ 5 100.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs IONIQ 5 90.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs IONIQ 5 98.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs IONIQ 5 70.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs IONIQ 5 65.

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

IONIQ 5 leads by 23 points

IONIQ 5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

Evidence leader 86 /100
Lead 23 points
Data 75% source coverage
86
#1 Evidence leader

IONIQ 5

75% source coverage 4 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Ownership 65
Performance 100
Efficiency 90
Safety 98
Practicality 70
Ownership 65
Leads by 23 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 IONIQ 5 +52 Efficiency IONIQ 5 +34 Safety IONIQ 5 +10 Practicality IONIQ 5 +9

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

IONIQ 5

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 70/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai IONIQ 5 leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, IONIQ 5 leads. However, CX-5 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 African models and comparable body styles.

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VS
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CX-5 vs Land Cruiser FJ →
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IONIQ 5
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IONIQ 5 vs Land Cruiser FJ →
IONIQ 5
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Tiggo 8 PHEV
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IONIQ 5 vs Tiggo 8 PHEV →

CX-5 vs IONIQ 5 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.