Mazda CX-5 vs GWM P500

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
GWM P500 in South Africa

GWM P500

2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT Hybrid 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 999,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 255 kW 🔧 648 Nm ⛽ 10.2 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs GWM P500: the short answer

P500 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

CX-5 starts ZAR 229,400 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · P500 from ZAR 799,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 P500
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm P500255 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm P500648 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc P5002000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l P50010.2 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm P500224 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

GWM P500

2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT

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
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

P500

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

P500

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 P500
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 P500 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 Double-cab pickup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Mid-size family SUV Pickup
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 2761 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Pickup
Body Type Cab - Pickup
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4x4 9HAT
Spec CX-5 P500
Length 4575 mm 5445 mm
Width 1845 mm 1991 mm
Height 1680 mm 1924 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 3350 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 224 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 450 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2810 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 3495 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 685 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 6.0 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 900 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 150 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1000 mm
Rear Headroom - 960 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and P500 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 P500 98.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs P500 50.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs P500 88.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs P500 78.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs P500 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

P500 leads by 15 points

P500 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-5.

Evidence leader 78 /100
Lead 15 points
Data 73% source coverage
78
#1 Evidence leader

P500

73% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 98 Check Efficiency 50
Performance 98
Efficiency 50
Safety 88
Practicality 78
Ownership 65
Leads by 15 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 P500 +50 Efficiency CX-5 +6 Safety Level Practicality P500 +17

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

P500

Performance 98/100
Efficiency 50/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 78/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM P500 leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, P500 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.

CX-5
CX-5
VS
Fortuner
Fortuner
CX-5 vs Fortuner →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
X-Trail
X-Trail
CX-5 vs X-Trail →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Tiggo 9
Tiggo 9
CX-5 vs Tiggo 9 →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
T1 i-DM
T1 i-DM
CX-5 vs T1 i-DM →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Tunland V7 Double Cab
Tunland V7 Double Cab
CX-5 vs Tunland V7 Double Cab →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
J7 SHS
J7 SHS
CX-5 vs J7 SHS →
P500
P500
VS
Fortuner
Fortuner
P500 vs Fortuner →
P500
P500
VS
X-Trail
X-Trail
P500 vs X-Trail →

CX-5 vs P500 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.