Mazda CX-5 vs Suzuki Jimny

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 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 688,400 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
Suzuki Jimny in South Africa

Suzuki Jimny

1.5 GLX AllGrip AT Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 466,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 75 kW 🔧 130 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Suzuki Jimny: the short answer

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

Jimny starts ZAR 125,600 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Jimny from ZAR 444,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Jimny
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Jimny75 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Jimny130 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Jimny1462 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Jimny15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Jimny210 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
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Jimny

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
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

Jimny

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Jimny
Model Introduced Year 2017 2019
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Fourth generation (JB74 series); entirely new K15B engine replaces previous K13B; AllGrip Pro 4WD system replaces previous generation's 4WD setup; new body retains ladder-frame construction and live rear axle from all previous generations
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. Fourth-generation Jimny launched globally in 2018 and in SA in 2019; minor specification updates in 2021 including updated connectivity; 5-door Jimny Sierra launched globally in 2023 but not confirmed for SA as of end-2025; no mechanical changes to the 3-door SA model since launch
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Mid-size family SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 1115 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - Kinetic Yellow, Sizzling Red, Granite Grey, Brisk Blue, Chiffon Ivory White, Bluish Black Pearl
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 GLX AllGrip AT
Spec CX-5 Jimny
Length 4575 mm 3625 mm
Width 1845 mm 1645 mm
Height 1680 mm 1720 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2250 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 210 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 85 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1110 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 1435 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 325 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 1300 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 4 seats
Doors 5 doors 3 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 4.9 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 900 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 600 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 990 mm
Rear Headroom - 910 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Jimny 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 Jimny 29.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Jimny 61.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Jimny 88.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Jimny 44.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Jimny 71.

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 6 points

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

Evidence leader 63 /100
Lead 6 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 6 points
57
#2

Jimny

93% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 29
Performance 29
Efficiency 61
Safety 88
Practicality 44
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-5 +19 Efficiency Jimny +5 Safety Level Practicality CX-5 +17

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

Jimny

Performance 29/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 44/100
Ownership 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda CX-5 leads the specification evidence index with 63 pts vs 57 pts for Jimny

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

Related comparisons

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CX-5 vs Jimny 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.