Mazda CX-5 vs Lexus RZ

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
Lexus RZ in South Africa

Lexus RZ

RZ 550e F SPORT Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,977,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 300 kW 🔧 269 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Lexus RZ: the short answer

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

CX-5 starts ZAR 1,112,100 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · RZ from ZAR 1,682,600

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 RZ
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm RZ300 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm RZ268.6 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc RZNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l RZNot Applicable
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm RZ200 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

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

RZ

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

RZ

  • 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 RZ
Model Introduced Year 2017 2026
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Updated dedicated battery-electric Lexus RZ range launched locally in 2026
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. 2026 South African range introduces RZ 500e, RZ 550e F SPORT and RZ 600e F SPORT Performance derivatives
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2026 South African range introduces RZ 500e, RZ 550e F SPORT and RZ 600e F SPORT Performance derivatives
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Luxury SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 2145-2165 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-5 RZ
Length 4575 mm 4805 mm
Width 1845 mm 1895 mm
Height 1680 mm 1635 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2850 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 200 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 522 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2180 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2640 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 460 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 750 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 5.6 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1069 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 953 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1013 mm
Rear Headroom - 1008 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and RZ 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 RZ 83.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs RZ 90.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs RZ 94.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs RZ 62.

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

RZ leads by 19 points

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

Evidence leader 82 /100
Lead 19 points
Data 60% source coverage
82
#1 Evidence leader

RZ

60% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Practicality 62
Performance 83
Efficiency 90
Safety 94
Practicality 62
Leads by 19 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 RZ +35 Efficiency RZ +34 Safety RZ +6 Practicality RZ +1

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

RZ

Performance 83/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 62/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Lexus RZ leads the specification evidence index with 82 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RZ 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 RZ 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.