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.
CX-60 starts ZAR 999995 cheaperCX-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 DrivingFuel 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
Spec
CX-60
Sorento
Engine
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
2.2 CRDi D4HB Inline-4 Diesel
Engine Type
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
Inline 4 Cylinder Turbodiesel
Displacement
2488 cc
2151 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Power
141 kW
148 kW
Power @ RPM
6000
3,800 rpm
Torque
261 Nm
440 Nm
Torque @ RPM
3000
1,750 rpm
Turbocharger
Naturally Aspirated
Yes
Top Speed
201 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
8.5 sec
Compression Ratio
13.0:1
15.4:1
Cylinder Bore
89 mm
85.4 mm
Piston Stroke
100 mm
94.0 mm
Power
189 bhp
198 bhp
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Engine Type Config
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
Inline 4 Cylinder (I4) DOHC 16-Valve Diesel
0–100 km/h
9.9 sec
8.5 sec
Engine Displacement
2488 cc
2151 cc
Engine Displacement Litres
2488 cc
2151 cc
Acceleration 0 100
9.9 sec
8.5 sec
Engine Config
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
2.2 CRDi D4HB Inline-4 Diesel
Engine Cylinders
4
4
Engine Displacement Cc
2488 cc
2151 cc
Engine Power kW
141 kW
148 kW
Engine Torque Nm
261 Nm
440 Nm
Induction
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Max Power kW
141 kW
148 kW
Max Torque Nm
261 Nm
440 Nm
Maximum Power
141 kW
148 kW
Maximum Torque
261 Nm
440 Nm
Power kW Rpm
6000
3,800 rpm
Torque Nm Rpm
3000
1,750 rpm
Turbo Type
-
Turbocharged
Engine Code
-
D4HB
Valves per Cylinder
-
16
Fuel Grade Required
-
B7 Diesel
Variable Valve Timing
-
No
Engine Position
-
Front Transverse
Engine Oil Capacity
-
6.0 l
Maximum Engine RPM
-
4,000 rpm
Power Sliding Doors
-
No
Engine Valves
-
16
Power Assisted Steering
-
Electric Power Assisted
Battery Capacity
-
-
Charging Port
-
-
AC Charging Time
-
-
EV Range
-
-
Motor Position
-
-
Motor Power
-
-
Motor Torque
-
-
Motor Type
-
-
System Output
-
-
Combined System Power
-
-
Combined System Torque
-
-
Active Exhaust
-
-
Fuel System
-
Common Rail Direct Injection
Spec
CX-60
Sorento
Transmission
8-Speed Auto
Automatic
Drive Type
AWD
AWD
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, all-wheel drive
FWD
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
4.181
3.63
Number of Gears
8 km/h
8 km/h
Transmission Type
8-Speed Auto
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Auto
Automatic
4WD Hi Range
-
-
4WD Lo Range
-
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Yes
Gearbox Type
8-Speed Auto
Automatic
Low Range
-
-
Axle Layout
AWD
AWD
Transmission Speeds
8 km/h
8 km/h
Clutch Type
-
Dry Dual Clutch
Transfer Case
-
-
Differential Lock
-
No
LSD Available
-
No
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
-
15.2:1
4WD Engagement
-
-
Transfer Case Guard
-
-
Front Differential Lock
-
-
Rear Differential Lock
-
-
4WD Selector
-
-
Spec
CX-60
Sorento
Claimed Mileage
13.0 km/l
15.6 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
58 l
67 l
Emission Standard
Euro stage IV
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
No
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Yes
Average Fuel Consumption
7.7 l/100km
6.4 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
7.7 l/100km
6.4 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
7.7 l/100km
6.4 l/100km
AC Charging Power
-
-
Charging Port Type
-
-
Charging Time AC Full
-
-
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
-
-
Charging Type
-
-
Combined Consumption
7.7 l/100km
6.4 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
7.7 l/100km
6.4 l/100km
DC Charging Power
-
-
Fuel Economy Combined
7.7 l/100km
6.4 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
58 l
67 l
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Low Range Ratio
-
-
Combined Driving Range
-
-
Electric Consumption
-
-
Range Real World Highway
-
-
Range Real World Mixed
-
-
Range Wltp
-
-
Fuel Consumption Urban
-
7.8 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Extra Urban
-
5.4 l/100km
City Mileage
-
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
-
18.5 km/l
Real-world Mileage
13.0 km/l
15.6 km/l
Low Fuel Warning
-
Yes
Spec
CX-60
Sorento
Airbags
7
7
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front & Rear
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
AEB
Standard
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Driver & Passenger
Yes
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Standard
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
-
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Yes
Side Impact Beams
-
Yes
Whiplash Protection
-
Yes
TCS
-
Yes
Traction Control
-
Yes
Pedestrian Detection AEB
-
Yes
Lane Change Warning
-
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Yes
Fatigue Detection
-
Yes
Speed Alert System
-
Yes
Child Safety Lock
-
Yes
Safety Rating
-
5
Alarm System
-
Yes
ESC With Traction Control
-
Yes
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
7
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
7
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Yes
Central Locking
-
Yes
Spec
CX-60
Sorento
Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Yes
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
No
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Yes
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Drive Modes
Off-road, Sport, Towing
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Yes
EV Mode
-
No
Forward Collision Warning
-
Yes
Reversing Camera
-
Yes
Park Assist
-
Yes
Auto Lights
-
Yes
Eco Mode
-
Yes
Sport Mode
-
Yes
Emergency Braking
-
Yes
Pre-Collision System
-
Yes
Rear View Camera
-
Yes
Reverse Camera Type
-
Yes
Surround View Camera
Standard
Yes
Parking Distance Sensors
-
Yes
Parking Sensor
-
Yes
Front Camera
-
Yes
Automatic High Beam
-
Yes
Rain Sensor Wipers
-
Yes
Spec
CX-60
Sorento
Seat Material
Black Leather
Leather
Heated Seats
-
Yes
Ventilated Seats
-
Yes
Ambient Lighting
-
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
(40:20:40)
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
8-Way Power adjustable (Driver & Passenger) w. memory (Driver)
8-Way Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
8-Way Power adjustable (Driver & Passenger) w. memory (Driver)
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView 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.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
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.
Compare
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