Mazda CX-5 vs iCAUR V23

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
iCAUR V23 in South Africa

iCAUR V23

2WD Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 519,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 100 kW 🔧 180 Nm ⛽ Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs iCAUR V23: the short answer

V23 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

V23 starts ZAR 50,600 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · V23 from ZAR 519,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 V23
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm V23100 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm V23180 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc V23Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l V23Not applicable — electric consumption measured in kWh/100 km km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm V23190 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
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

V23

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

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

V23

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 V23
Model Introduced Year 2017 2026
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range South African May 2026 local specification sheet for the current V23 generation.
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. -
Facelift Launched Since 2017 -
Facelift Version Ending Current -
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Published
Segment Mid-size family SUV Electric SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec CX-5 V23
Length 4575 mm 4220 mm
Width 1845 mm 1915 mm
Height 1680 mm 1845 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l Not applicable — battery electric vehicle
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 372 L rear seats up; 994 L with rear seats folded
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1550–1850 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 2085 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 350–650 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m 5.9 m
Front Legroom 1041 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom 1007 mm 970 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 165 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1020 mm
Rear Headroom - 990 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and V23 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 V23 41.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs V23 99.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs V23 93.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs V23 60.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs V23 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

V23 leads by 8 points

V23 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-5 remains close.

Evidence leader 71 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 67% source coverage
71
#1 Evidence leader

V23

67% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 99 Check Performance 41
Performance 41
Efficiency 99
Safety 93
Practicality 60
Leads by 8 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 +7 Efficiency V23 +43 Safety V23 +5 Practicality CX-5 +1

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

V23

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 99/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 60/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index iCAUR V23 leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, V23 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 V23 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.