Mazda CX-5 vs GWM Tank 300

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 Tank 300 in South Africa

GWM Tank 300

2.0T Hi4-T Hybrid Hybrid Automatic
ZAR 849,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 240 kW 🔧 750 Nm ⛽ 35.7 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Tank 300
⛽ Fuel Economy Tank 300
🛡 Safety Tank 300
📦 Practicality Tank 300
🔑 Ownership Tank 300
CX-5 starts ZAR 699900 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Tank 300 from ZAR 699,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec CX-5 Tank 300
Engine Power 121 kW 240 kW
Torque 213 Nm 750 Nm
Engine Size 1998 cc 1999 cc
Claimed Mileage 14.5 km/l 35.7 km/l
Ground Clearance 200 mm 224 mm
Boot / Load Bay 438 l 490 l
Airbags 6 8
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2050 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Tank 300 holds a noticeable edge over CX-5, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Tank 300 +34 pts
Efficiency Tank 300 +41 pts
Safety Tank 300 +18 pts
Practicality Tank 300 +15 pts
Ownership Tank 300 +10 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: General Use
🏆 Overall Winner

Tank 300

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Tank 300

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Tank 300
Model Introduced Year 2017 2024
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range First generation, launched globally in 2021 and brought to South Africa in 2024. The Tank brand is positioned as GWM's premium off-road sub-brand alongside Haval (SUVs) and Ora (electric).
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. First-generation Tank 300 launched in South Africa in 2024. No significant facelift to date; software updates have refined the differential locking activation logic and refined the hybrid system on the Hi4-T variant.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2024
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
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Mars Red, Atlantic Blue, Adventure Olive Green and Sand Dune Beige. The Adventure Olive Green is exclusive to Off-Road and Hi4-T Hybrid trims.
Spec CX-5 Tank 300
Ground Clearance 200 mm 224 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2750 mm
Length 4575 mm 4638 mm
Width 1845 mm 1926 mm
Height 1680 mm 1850 mm
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 2050 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 2065 kg 2200 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 438 l 490 l
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 2500 kg
Turning Radius 5.95 m 12.4 m
Load Bed Length 438 l 490 l
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 890 mm
Front Shoulder Room 1451 mm 1430 mm
Rear Shoulder Room 1391 mm 1390 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1340 l 690 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 490 kg -
Boot Volume 438 l 490 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 65 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 2065 kg 2200 kg
Ground Clearance Max 200 mm 224 mm
Ground Clearance Min 200 mm 224 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 200 mm 224 mm
Height Mm 1680 mm 1850 mm
Length Mm 4575 mm 4638 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 438 l 490 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 490 kg -
Cargo Volume 438 l 490 l
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 2050 kg
Turning Circle 5.95 m 12.4 m
Turning Circle M 5.95 m 12.4 m
Width Mm 1845 mm 1926 mm
Front Overhang - 880 mm
Front Track Width - 1560 mm
Front Headroom - 990 mm
Rear Headroom - 960 mm
Rear Overhang - 890 mm
Rear Track Width - 1570 mm
Tracking System - Optional
Boot Space Seats Folded 1340 l 690 l

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Tank 300 leads by 24 points

Tank 300 holds a noticeable edge over CX-5, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 85 /100
Lead 24 points
Data 97% confidence
85
#1 Winner

Tank 300

97% data confidence 4 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Ownership 65
Performance 82
Efficiency 97
Safety 100
Practicality 76
Ownership 65
Leads by 24 points
61
#2

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
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Tank 300 +34 Efficiency Tank 300 +41 Safety Tank 300 +18 Practicality Tank 300 +15 Ownership Tank 300 +10

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Tank 300

Performance 82/100
Efficiency 97/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 76/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-5

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

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM Tank 300 wins with 85 pts vs 61 pts for CX-5

In structured scoring, Tank 300 emerges as the stronger overall package. However, CX-5 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Tank 300 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 Tank 300 97. 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, Tank 300 100. 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, Tank 300 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, Tank 300 76. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-5 48, Tank 300 82. 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 Tank 300 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Tank 300 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 Tank 300 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-5 scores 48 vs 82.

Efficiency: CX-5 scores 56 vs 97.

Safety: CX-5 scores 82 vs 100.

Practicality: CX-5 scores 61 vs 76.

Ownership: CX-5 scores 55 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Tank 300 the advantage in this comparison.