Mazda CX-60 vs KIA Sorento

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-60 in South Africa

Mazda CX-60

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

KIA Sorento

2.2 CRDi SXL AWD DCT Diesel Automatic
ZAR 1,299,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 148 kW 🔧 440 Nm Nm ⛽ 15.6 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Sorento
Fuel Economy Sorento
🛡 Safety Sorento
📦 Practicality CX-60
🔑 Ownership Sorento
CX-60 starts ZAR 999995 cheaper CX-60 from ZAR 790,200 · Sorento from ZAR 999,995

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec CX-60 Sorento
Engine Power 141 kW 148 kW
Torque 261 Nm 440 Nm
Engine Size 2488 cc 2151 cc
Claimed Mileage 13.0 km/l 15.6 km/l
Ground Clearance 178.8 mm 185 mm
Boot / Load Bay 477 l 219 l
Airbags 7 7
Kerb Weight 1470 kg 1960 kg
Seating Capacity 5 7
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 7 Years / 150,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Both CX-60 and Sorento are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Sorento +15 pts
Efficiency Sorento +10 pts
Safety Sorento +1 pts
Practicality CX-60 +4 pts
Ownership Sorento +16 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-60

Strengths
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Family Usage
🏆 Overall Winner

Sorento

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

CX-60

  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Sorento

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-60 Sorento
Model Introduced Year 2023 2021
Generation First-generation KH-series Mazda CX-60 on Mazda's Large Product architecture Fourth generation (MQ4); global launch 2020, SA 2021
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. Fourth generation (MQ4) launched SA 2021; updated spec 2024
Facelift Launched Since 2023 2024
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Premium mid-size SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.2 CRDi SXL AWD DCT
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Glacier White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Steel Grey, Interstellar Grey, Gravity Blue
Spec CX-60 Sorento
Ground Clearance 178.8 mm 185 mm
Wheelbase 2870 mm 2815 mm
Length 4745 mm 4810 mm
Width 1890 mm 1900 mm
Height 1687.5 mm 1700 mm
Kerb Weight 1470 kg 1960 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 2342 kg 2550 kg
Seating Capacity 5 7
Boot Space 477 l 219 l
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 2000 kg
Turning Radius 5.85 m 11.2 m
Load Bed Length 477 l 219 l
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 990 mm 855 mm
Front Shoulder Room 1504 mm 1405 mm
Rear Shoulder Room 1441 mm 1350 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1148 l 616 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 872 kg -
Boot Volume 477 l 219 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 7
Fuel Tank Capacity 58 l 67 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 2342 kg 2550 kg
Ground Clearance Max 178.8 mm 185 mm
Ground Clearance Min 178.8 mm 185 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 178.8 mm 185 mm
Height Mm 1687.5 mm 1700 mm
Length Mm 4745 mm 4810 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 477 l 219 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 872 kg -
Cargo Volume 477 l 219 l
Tare Mass Kg 1470 kg 1960 kg
Turning Circle 5.85 m 11.2 m
Turning Circle M 5.85 m 11.2 m
Width Mm 1890 mm 1900 mm
Front Track Width - 1640 mm
Rear Track Width - 1644 mm
Front Overhang - 900 mm
Rear Overhang - 1095 mm
Front Headroom - 1010 mm
Rear Headroom - 955 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1148 l 616 l

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Sorento leads by 7 points

Both CX-60 and Sorento are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Winner 75 /100
Lead 7 points
Data 97% confidence
75
#1 Winner

Sorento

97% data confidence 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Efficiency 61
Performance 74
Efficiency 61
Safety 100
Practicality 64
Ownership 71
Leads by 7 points
68
#2

CX-60

94% data confidence 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 59
Efficiency 51
Safety 99
Practicality 68
Ownership 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Sorento +15 Efficiency Sorento +10 Safety Sorento +1 Practicality CX-60 +4 Ownership Sorento +16

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Sorento

Performance 74/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 71/100

CX-60

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 68/100
Ownership 55/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 KIA Sorento wins with 75 pts vs 68 pts for CX-60

In structured scoring, Sorento emerges as the stronger overall package. However, CX-60 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Sorento edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: CX-60 51 vs Sorento 61. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: CX-60 99, Sorento 100. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: CX-60 55, Sorento 71. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: CX-60 68, Sorento 64. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-60 59, Sorento 74. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Sorento edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Sorento scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between CX-60 and Sorento in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-60 scores 59 vs 74.

Efficiency: CX-60 scores 51 vs 61.

Safety: CX-60 scores 99 vs 100.

Practicality: CX-60 scores 68 vs 64.

Ownership: CX-60 scores 55 vs 71.

Final structured scoring gives Sorento the advantage in this comparison.