Mazda CX-5 vs BAIC X55 Plus

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
BAIC X55 Plus in South Africa

BAIC X55 Plus

Dynamic Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 429,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 305 Nm ⛽ 12.99 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-5 vs BAIC X55 Plus: the short answer

CX-5 and X55 Plus are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

X55 Plus starts ZAR 140,600 cheaper CX-5 from ZAR 570,500 · X55 Plus from ZAR 429,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-5 X55 Plus
Maximum Power CX-5121 kW @ 6000 rpm X55 Plus138 kW
Maximum Torque CX-5213 Nm @ 4000 rpm X55 Plus305 Nm
Engine Size CX-51998 cc X55 Plus1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-514.5 km/l X55 Plus12.99 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-5200 mm X55 PlusNot Officially Disclosed

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-5

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

X55 Plus

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

CX-5

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

X55 Plus

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-5 X55 Plus
Model Introduced Year 2017 2024
Generation Second-generation KF-series Mazda CX-5, current outgoing South African range Current upgraded X55 Plus generation for South Africa, mechanically based around BAIC's Magic Core 1.5T engine, DCT380 seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive.
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. The original X55 arrived locally in 2022. BAIC launched the upgraded X55 Plus in August 2024 with revised exterior details, a full-black interior, updated wheel and exhaust treatment, and additional connectivity features.
Facelift Launched Since 2017 2024
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Five-door compact SUV
Model Year 2026 2024
Production Status Active active
Segment Mid-size family SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1575 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-5 X55 Plus
Length 4575 mm 4620 mm
Width 1845 mm 1886 mm
Height 1680 mm 1680 mm
Wheelbase 2700 mm 2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 56 l 53 l
Boot/Cargo Space 438 l 350 l
Kerb Weight 1575 kg 1480 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2065 kg 1970 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 490 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.95 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1041 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 1007 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 160 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-5 and X55 Plus 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 X55 Plus 62.

Efficiency index: CX-5 56 vs X55 Plus 53.

Safety-equipment index: CX-5 88 vs X55 Plus 88.

Practicality index: CX-5 61 vs X55 Plus 55.

Ownership-cover index: CX-5 not separately scored vs X55 Plus 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

X55 Plus leads by 2 points

CX-5 and X55 Plus are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 68% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

X55 Plus

68% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Efficiency 53
Performance 62
Efficiency 53
Safety 88
Practicality 55
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 X55 Plus +14 Efficiency CX-5 +3 Safety Level Practicality CX-5 +6

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

X55 Plus

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 53/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 55/100

CX-5

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index BAIC X55 Plus leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 63 pts for CX-5

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X55 Plus 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 X55 Plus 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.