Mazda CX-60 vs Nissan Magnite

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-60 in South Africa

Mazda CX-60

2.5 Individual Edition Auto AWD Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 902,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 141 kW 🔧 261 Nm ⛽ 13.0 km/l
VS
Nissan Magnite in South Africa

Nissan Magnite

1.0 Acenta Plus EZ-Shift Petrol Current
ZAR 323,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 53 kW 🔧 96 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-60 vs Nissan Magnite: the short answer

CX-60 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Magnite remains close.

Magnite starts ZAR 560,300 cheaper CX-60 from ZAR 790,200 · Magnite from ZAR 229,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-60 Magnite
Maximum Power CX-60141 kW @ 6000 rpm Magnite53 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-60261 Nm @ 3000 rpm Magnite96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size CX-602488 cc Magnite999 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-6013.0 km/l Magnite16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-60178.8 mm Magnite205 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

CX-60

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

Magnite

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-60

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Magnite

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-60 Magnite
Model Introduced Year 2023 2021
Generation First-generation KH-series Mazda CX-60 on Mazda's Large Product architecture First generation Magnite arrived in SA in 2021 — Nissan's entry into the growing budget compact SUV segment
Facelift History Mazda introduced the CX-60 locally in 2023, added the six-cylinder Takumi in 2024 and revised suspension and drivetrain calibration for the 2025 update. 2023 facelift refreshed the grille, interior trims, and added safety upgrades
Facelift Launched Since 2023 2023
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Premium mid-size SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1470 kg 1007 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - Brick Red, Storm White, Pearl White, Onyx Black, Gun Grey, Blade Silver
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Front-wheel drive confirmed by Nissan South Africa derivative/specification data
Spec CX-60 Magnite
Length 4745 mm 3995 mm
Width 1890 mm 1758 mm
Height 1687.5 mm 1571 mm
Wheelbase 2870 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 178.8 mm 205 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 58 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 477 l 336 l
Kerb Weight 1470 kg 1007 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2342 kg 1399 kg
Payload Capacity 872 kg -
Towing Capacity 1500 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.85 m 5 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm -
Rear Legroom 990 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-60 and Magnite 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-60 59 vs Magnite 16.

Efficiency index: CX-60 51 vs Magnite 65.

Safety-equipment index: CX-60 98 vs Magnite 86.

Practicality index: CX-60 68 vs Magnite 64.

Ownership-cover index: CX-60 not separately scored vs Magnite 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-60 leads by 14 points

CX-60 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Magnite remains close.

Evidence leader 70 /100
Lead 14 points
Data 81% source coverage
70
#1 Evidence leader

CX-60

81% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 98 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 59
Efficiency 51
Safety 98
Practicality 68
Leads by 14 points
56
#2

Magnite

67% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 86 Check Performance 16
Performance 16
Efficiency 65
Safety 86
Practicality 64
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-60 +43 Efficiency Magnite +14 Safety CX-60 +12 Practicality CX-60 +4

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

CX-60

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 68/100

Magnite

Performance 16/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 86/100
Practicality 64/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda CX-60 leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts vs 56 pts for Magnite

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CX-60 leads. However, Magnite may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

CX-60 vs Magnite 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.