Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Navara Double Cab

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
Nissan Navara Double Cab in South Africa

Nissan Navara Double Cab

2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT Diesel Current
ZAR 785,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 140 kW 🔧 450 Nm ⛽ 13.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Navara Double Cab: the short answer

Navara Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

Navara Double Cab starts ZAR 77,500 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Navara Double Cab from ZAR 493,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Navara Double Cab
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Navara Double Cab140 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Navara Double Cab450 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Navara Double Cab2488 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Navara Double Cab13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Navara Double Cab221 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

Nissan Navara Double Cab

2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT

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
  • 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

Navara Double Cab

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

Navara Double Cab

  • 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

Spec CX-5 Navara Double Cab
Model Introduced Year 2017 1997
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Current Navara generation focuses on improved comfort and stronger safety credentials
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. Updated in recent years with improved styling, safety upgrades, and suspension refinement
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Double Cab
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Double-cab bakkie
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 2023 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Double Cab
Body Type Cab - Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note - White, Silver, Black, Grey, Red, Blue
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT
Spec CX-5 Navara Double Cab
Length 4575 mm 5260 mm
Width 1845 mm 1850 mm
Height 1680 mm 1815 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 3150 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 221 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 1161 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2023 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 3115 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 1003 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 6.7 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm -
Rear Legroom 1007 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Navara Double Cab 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 Navara Double Cab 75.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Navara Double Cab 58.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Navara Double Cab 93.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Navara Double Cab 90.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Navara Double Cab 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

Navara Double Cab leads by 17 points

Navara Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

Evidence leader 80 /100
Lead 17 points
Data 65% source coverage
80
#1 Evidence leader

Navara Double Cab

65% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 58
Performance 75
Efficiency 58
Safety 93
Practicality 90
Leads by 17 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 Navara Double Cab +27 Efficiency Navara Double Cab +2 Safety Navara Double Cab +5 Practicality Navara Double Cab +29

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Navara Double Cab

Performance 75/100
Efficiency 58/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 90/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Nissan Navara Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 80 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Navara Double Cab 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 Africa models and comparable body styles.

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Navara Double Cab vs D-Max Extended Cab →

CX-5 vs Navara Double Cab 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.