Mazda CX-5 vs Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL

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
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL

SL 680 Maybach Petrol Mild Hybrid 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 5,092,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 430 kW 🔧 800 Nm ⛽ 7.7 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL: the short answer

Mercedes-Maybach SL has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

CX-5 starts ZAR 4,521,500 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Mercedes-Maybach SL from ZAR 5,092,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Mercedes-Maybach SL
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Mercedes-Maybach SL430 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Mercedes-Maybach SL800 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Mercedes-Maybach SL3982 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Mercedes-Maybach SL7.7 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Mercedes-Maybach SL115 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

Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL

SL 680 Maybach

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

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
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

Mercedes-Maybach SL

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Mercedes-Maybach SL

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Mercedes-Maybach SL
Model Introduced Year 2017 2026
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Current South African Mercedes-Maybach SL generation represented by derivative SL 680 Maybach
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. Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Current South African model cycle
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Convertible
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Current South African retail range
Segment Mid-size family SUV Luxury convertible
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Convertible
Spec CX-5 Mercedes-Maybach SL
Length 4575 mm 4705 mm
Width 1845 mm 1915 mm
Height 1680 mm 1359 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2900 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 115 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 70 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 213 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2050 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2000 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 400 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 2000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 4 seats
Doors 5 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 6.25 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 900 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 900 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 120 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 960 mm
Rear Headroom - 960 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Mercedes-Maybach SL 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 Mercedes-Maybach SL 100.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 38.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 95.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 46.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Mercedes-Maybach SL 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

Mercedes-Maybach SL leads by 9 points

Mercedes-Maybach SL has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

Evidence leader 72 /100
Lead 9 points
Data 83% source coverage
72
#1 Evidence leader

Mercedes-Maybach SL

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Efficiency 38
Performance 100
Efficiency 38
Safety 95
Practicality 46
Leads by 9 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 Mercedes-Maybach SL +52 Efficiency CX-5 +18 Safety Mercedes-Maybach SL +7 Practicality CX-5 +15

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Mercedes-Maybach SL

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 38/100
Safety 95/100
Practicality 46/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Maybach SL leads the specification evidence index with 72 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Mercedes-Maybach SL 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 Mercedes-Maybach SL 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.