Mazda CX-5 vs Mitsubishi Triton Single 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
Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab in South Africa

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

2.4L 4x2 GL M/T Diesel 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 499,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 81 kW 🔧 200 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab: the short answer

CX-5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Triton Single Cab.

Triton Single Cab starts ZAR 70,510 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · Triton Single Cab from ZAR 499,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 Triton Single Cab
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm Triton Single Cab81 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm Triton Single Cab200 Nm @ 1000-3750 rpm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc Triton Single Cab2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l Triton Single Cab12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm Triton Single Cab200 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

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab

2.4L 4x2 GL M/T

Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

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)

Specification evidence leader

CX-5

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency

Triton Single Cab

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Triton Single Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 Triton Single Cab
Model Introduced Year 2017 2024
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Sixth-generation Triton
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. Next-Gen Triton launched in South Africa in November 2024.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Single-cab pickup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV One-ton single-cab pickup
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Light commercial vehicle
Spec CX-5 Triton Single Cab
Length 4575 mm 5320 mm
Width 1845 mm 1865 mm
Height 1680 mm 1700 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 3130 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 200 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 75 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 1904 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1625 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2570 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 945 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 2 seats
Doors 5 doors 2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 6.35 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1059 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm Not Applicable
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 185 mm
Number of Rows - 1 rows
Front Headroom - 1007 mm
Rear Headroom - Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and Triton Single 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 Triton Single Cab 34.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs Triton Single Cab 49.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs Triton Single Cab 32.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs Triton Single Cab 72.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs Triton Single 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

CX-5 leads by 17 points

CX-5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Triton Single Cab.

Evidence leader 63 /100
Lead 17 points
Data 78% source coverage
63
#1 Evidence leader

CX-5

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 48
Performance 48
Efficiency 56
Safety 88
Practicality 61
Leads by 17 points
46
#2

Triton Single Cab

79% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 72 Check Safety 32
Performance 34
Efficiency 49
Safety 32
Practicality 72
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-5 +14 Efficiency CX-5 +7 Safety CX-5 +56 Practicality Triton Single Cab +11

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

CX-5

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

Triton Single Cab

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 32/100
Practicality 72/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda CX-5 leads the specification evidence index with 63 pts vs 46 pts for Triton Single Cab

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CX-5 leads. However, Triton Single Cab 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
Eclipse Cross
Eclipse Cross
CX-5 vs Eclipse Cross →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Territory
Territory
CX-5 vs Territory →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
D-Max Extended Cab
D-Max Extended Cab
CX-5 vs D-Max Extended Cab →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
CX-30
CX-30
CX-5 vs CX-30 →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
C7
C7
CX-5 vs C7 →
CX-5
CX-5
VS
Tiggo 8 Pro
Tiggo 8 Pro
CX-5 vs Tiggo 8 Pro →
Triton Single Cab
Triton Single Cab
VS
Eclipse Cross
Eclipse Cross
Triton Single Cab vs Eclipse Cross →
Triton Single Cab
Triton Single Cab
VS
Territory
Territory
Triton Single Cab vs Territory →

CX-5 vs Triton Single 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.