Mazda CX-60 vs GWM Tank 500

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
GWM Tank 500 in South Africa

GWM Tank 500

3.0T Hi4-T Luxury Petrol Automatic
ZAR 1,149,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 340 kW 🔧 750 Nm ⛽ 40 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Tank 500
Fuel Economy Tank 500
🛡 Safety Tank 500
📦 Practicality Tank 500
🔑 Ownership Tank 500
CX-60 starts ZAR 1149900 cheaper CX-60 from ZAR 790,200 · Tank 500 from ZAR 1,149,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec CX-60 Tank 500
Engine Power 141 kW 340 kW
Torque 261 Nm 750 Nm
Engine Size 2488 cc 2999 cc
Claimed Mileage 13.0 km/l 40 km/l
Ground Clearance 178.8 mm 224 mm
Boot / Load Bay 477 l 580 l
Airbags 7 8
Kerb Weight 1470 kg 2680 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 5 Years / 100,000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Tank 500 holds a noticeable edge over CX-60, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Tank 500 +23 pts
Efficiency Tank 500 +46 pts
Safety Tank 500 +1 pts
Practicality Tank 500 +15 pts
Ownership Tank 500 +10 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-60

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: General Use
🏆 Overall Winner

Tank 500

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

CX-60

  • Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Tank 500

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-60 Tank 500
Model Introduced Year 2023 2025
Generation First-generation KH-series Mazda CX-60 on Mazda's Large Product architecture First generation Tank 500, launched globally in 2023 and brought to South Africa in 2025. Local specification leans toward maximum equipment loading and softer suspension calibration versus the Chinese-domestic version.
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. Recently launched into the SA market in 2025; no facelift to date. Software updates expected to refine hybrid system behaviour and adaptive air suspension calibration based on early SA fleet feedback.
Facelift Launched Since 2023 2025
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
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Pittsburgh Silver, Cosmos Grey, Atlantic Blue and Adventure Olive Green. Two-tone roof options available with selected base colours.
Spec CX-60 Tank 500
Ground Clearance 178.8 mm 224 mm
Wheelbase 2870 mm 2950 mm
Length 4745 mm 5060 mm
Width 1890 mm 1996 mm
Height 1687.5 mm 1905 mm
Kerb Weight 1470 kg 2680 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 2342 kg 3200 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 477 l 580 l
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 3000 kg
Turning Radius 5.85 m 13.0 m
Load Bed Length 477 l 580 l
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 990 mm 890 mm
Front Shoulder Room 1504 mm 1520 mm
Rear Shoulder Room 1441 mm 1480 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1148 l 780 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 872 kg -
Boot Volume 477 l 580 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 58 l 80 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 2342 kg 3200 kg
Ground Clearance Max 178.8 mm 224 mm
Ground Clearance Min 178.8 mm 224 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 178.8 mm 224 mm
Height Mm 1687.5 mm 1905 mm
Length Mm 4745 mm 5060 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 477 l 580 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 872 kg -
Cargo Volume 477 l 580 l
Tare Mass Kg 1470 kg 2680 kg
Turning Circle 5.85 m 13.0 m
Turning Circle M 5.85 m 13.0 m
Width Mm 1890 mm 1996 mm
Front Overhang - 880 mm
Front Track Width - 1560 mm
Front Headroom - 990 mm
Rear Headroom - 960 mm
Rear Overhang - 890 mm
Rear Track Width - 1570 mm
Tracking System - Optional
Boot Space Seats Folded 1148 l 780 l

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Tank 500 leads by 18 points

Tank 500 holds a noticeable edge over CX-60, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 86 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 97% confidence
86
#1 Winner

Tank 500

97% data confidence 4 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Ownership 65
Performance 82
Efficiency 97
Safety 100
Practicality 83
Ownership 65
Leads by 18 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 Tank 500 +23 Efficiency Tank 500 +46 Safety Tank 500 +1 Practicality Tank 500 +15 Ownership Tank 500 +10

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Tank 500

Performance 82/100
Efficiency 97/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 83/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-60

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

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM Tank 500 wins with 86 pts vs 68 pts for CX-60

In structured scoring, Tank 500 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 Tank 500 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 Tank 500 97. 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, Tank 500 100. 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, Tank 500 65. 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, Tank 500 83. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-60 59, Tank 500 82. 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 Tank 500 edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Tank 500 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 Tank 500 in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-60 scores 59 vs 82.

Efficiency: CX-60 scores 51 vs 97.

Safety: CX-60 scores 99 vs 100.

Practicality: CX-60 scores 68 vs 83.

Ownership: CX-60 scores 55 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives Tank 500 the advantage in this comparison.