Mazda CX-5 vs GWM Jolion Pro

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 Jolion Pro in South Africa

GWM Jolion Pro

1.5T Pro Ultra Luxury 7DCT Petrol Automatic
ZAR 466,450 ex-showroom
⚡ 105 kW 🔧 210 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance CX-5
Fuel Economy CX-5
🛡 Safety CX-5
📦 Practicality CX-5
🔑 Ownership Jolion Pro
Jolion Pro starts ZAR 570500 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Jolion Pro from ZAR 392,150

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec CX-5 Jolion Pro
Engine Power 121 kW 105 kW
Torque 213 Nm 210 Nm
Engine Size 1998 cc 1500 cc
Claimed Mileage 14.5 km/l 12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance 200 mm 168 mm
Boot / Load Bay 438 l 255-1133 l
Airbags 6 Dual SRS airbags with front side airbags; side curtain airbags grade dependent
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1410-1575 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 7 years / 200 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

CX-5 holds a noticeable edge over Jolion Pro, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance CX-5 +3 pts
Efficiency CX-5 +5 pts
Safety CX-5 +73 pts
Practicality CX-5 +5 pts
Ownership Jolion Pro +10 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

CX-5

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Jolion Pro

Strengths
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Jolion Pro

  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Jolion Pro
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 Jolion Pro 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 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 - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec CX-5 Jolion Pro
Ground Clearance 200 mm 168 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2700 mm
Length 4575 mm 4472 mm
Width 1845 mm 1841 mm
Height 1680 mm 1619 mm
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1410-1575 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 2065 kg 1845-2025 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 438 l 255-1133 l
Towing Capacity 1000 kg -
Turning Radius 5.95 m -
Load Bed Length 438 l 255-1133 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 -
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 490 kg -
Boot Volume 438 l 255-1133 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 55 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 2065 kg 1845-2025 kg
Ground Clearance Max 200 mm 168 mm
Ground Clearance Min 200 mm 168 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 200 mm 168 mm
Height Mm 1680 mm 1619 mm
Length Mm 4575 mm 4472 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 438 l 255-1133 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 490 kg -
Cargo Volume 438 l 255-1133 l
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 1410-1575 kg
Turning Circle 5.95 m -
Turning Circle M 5.95 m -
Width Mm 1845 mm 1841 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

CX-5 leads by 17 points

CX-5 holds a noticeable edge over Jolion Pro, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 61 /100
Lead 17 points
Data 94% confidence
61
#1 Winner

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
Leads by 17 points
44
#2

Jolion Pro

76% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Ownership 65 Check Safety 9
Performance 45
Efficiency 51
Safety 9
Practicality 56
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-5 +3 Efficiency CX-5 +5 Safety CX-5 +73 Practicality CX-5 +5 Ownership Jolion Pro +10

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

CX-5

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

Jolion Pro

Performance 45/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 9/100
Practicality 56/100
Ownership 65/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Mazda CX-5 wins with 61 pts vs 44 pts for Jolion Pro

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

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the CX-5 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 Jolion Pro 51. 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, Jolion Pro 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, Jolion Pro 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, Jolion Pro 56. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-5 48, Jolion Pro 45. 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 CX-5 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The CX-5 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 Jolion Pro in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-5 scores 48 vs 45.

Efficiency: CX-5 scores 56 vs 51.

Safety: CX-5 scores 82 vs 9.

Practicality: CX-5 scores 61 vs 56.

Ownership: CX-5 scores 55 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives CX-5 the advantage in this comparison.