Mazda CX-5 vs Chery Tiggo 7 Pro

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 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 688,400 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
VS
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro in South Africa

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro

Distinction 1.5T CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 389,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 108 kW 🔧 210 Nm ⛽ 14.7 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Chery Tiggo 7 Pro: the short answer

CX-5 and Tiggo 7 Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Tiggo 7 Pro starts ZAR 180,600 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Tiggo 7 Pro from ZAR 389,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Tiggo 7 Pro
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Tiggo 7 Pro108 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Tiggo 7 Pro210 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Tiggo 7 Pro1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Tiggo 7 Pro14.7 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Tiggo 7 Pro210 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance
Specification evidence leader

Tiggo 7 Pro

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Tiggo 7 Pro

  • 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 Tiggo 7 Pro
Model Introduced Year 2017 2022
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Current South Africa Tiggo 7 Pro range
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 South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg 1465 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-5 Tiggo 7 Pro
Length 4575 mm 4500 mm
Width 1845 mm 1842 mm
Height 1680 mm 1705 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2670 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 210 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 475 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1465 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 1888 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 423 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 5.7 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 945 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 210 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1015 mm
Rear Headroom - 975 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Tiggo 7 Pro comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. 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 Tiggo 7 Pro 46.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Tiggo 7 Pro 59.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Tiggo 7 Pro 91.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Tiggo 7 Pro 65.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Tiggo 7 Pro 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

Tiggo 7 Pro leads by 2 points

CX-5 and Tiggo 7 Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 63% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

Tiggo 7 Pro

63% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 46
Performance 46
Efficiency 59
Safety 91
Practicality 65
Leads by 2 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 CX-5 +2 Efficiency Tiggo 7 Pro +3 Safety Tiggo 7 Pro +3 Practicality Tiggo 7 Pro +4

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Tiggo 7 Pro

Performance 46/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 65/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Chery Tiggo 7 Pro leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Tiggo 7 Pro 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 Tiggo 7 Pro questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.