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 957100 cheaperCX-60 from ZAR 790,200 · UX from ZAR 957,100
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
CX-60
UX
Engine Power
141 kW
146 kW
Torque
261 Nm
188 Nm
Engine Size
2488 cc
2000 cc
Claimed Mileage
13.0 km/l
23.8 km/l
Ground Clearance
178.8 mm
160 mm
Boot / Load Bay
477 l
268 l
Airbags
7
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
Kerb Weight
1470 kg
1585 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
7 years / 105,000km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
UX has a slight advantage, but CX-60 remains highly competitive.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
CX-60
+4 pts
Efficiency
UX
+41 pts
Safety
CX-60
+5 pts
Practicality
CX-60
+13 pts
Ownership
UX
+38 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
CX-60
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
🏆 Overall Winner
UX
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
CX-60
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
UX
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
CX-60
UX
Model Introduced Year
2023
2019
Generation
First-generation KH-series Mazda CX-60 on Mazda's Large Product architecture
Current Lexus UX compact luxury crossover with the 300h hybrid powertrain
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.
Updated local UX range centred on the UX 300h EX hybrid
Facelift Launched Since
2023
Updated local UX range centred on the UX 300h EX hybrid
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
published
Segment
Premium mid-size SUV
Luxury SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
CX-60
UX
Ground Clearance
178.8 mm
160 mm
Wheelbase
2870 mm
2640 mm
Length
4745 mm
4495 mm
Width
1890 mm
1840 mm
Height
1687.5 mm
1520 mm
Kerb Weight
1470 kg
1585 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight
2342 kg
2110 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Boot Space
477 l
268 l
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
-
Turning Radius
5.85 m
5.2 m
Load Bed Length
477 l
268 l
Load Bed Width
-
-
Front Legroom
1058 mm
-
Rear Legroom
990 mm
-
Front Shoulder Room
1504 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1441 mm
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
1148 l
-
Number of Doors
5
5
Max Payload
872 kg
525 kg
Boot Volume
477 l
268 l
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel Tank Capacity
58 l
43 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
2342 kg
2110 kg
Ground Clearance Max
178.8 mm
160 mm
Ground Clearance Min
178.8 mm
160 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
178.8 mm
160 mm
Height Mm
1687.5 mm
1520 mm
Length Mm
4745 mm
4495 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
477 l
268 l
Loadbox Width Mm
-
-
Payload Kg
872 kg
525 kg
Cargo Volume
477 l
268 l
Tare Mass Kg
1470 kg
1585 kg
Turning Circle
5.85 m
5.2 m
Turning Circle M
5.85 m
5.2 m
Width Mm
1890 mm
1840 mm
Front Track Width
-
1550 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1550 mm
Spec
CX-60
UX
Engine
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Engine Type
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Displacement
2488 cc
2000 cc
Cylinders
4
Inline 4
Power
141 kW
146 kW
Power @ RPM
6000
6000
Torque
261 Nm
188 Nm
Torque @ RPM
3000
4400-5200
Turbocharger
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally aspirated
Top Speed
201 km/h
177 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
8.1 sec
Compression Ratio
13.0:1
-
Cylinder Bore
89 mm
-
Piston Stroke
100 mm
-
Power
189 bhp
196 bhp
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline 4
Engine Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally aspirated
Engine Type Config
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
0–100 km/h
9.9 sec
8.1 sec
Engine Displacement
2488 cc
2000 cc
Engine Displacement Litres
2488 cc
2000 cc
Acceleration 0 100
9.9 sec
8.1 sec
Engine Config
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder SKYACTIV-G
2.0-litre Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Engine Cylinders
4
Inline 4
Engine Displacement Cc
2488 cc
2000 cc
Engine Power kW
141 kW
146 kW
Engine Torque Nm
261 Nm
188 Nm
Induction
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally aspirated
Max Power kW
141 kW
146 kW
Max Torque Nm
261 Nm
188 Nm
Maximum Power
141 kW
146 kW
Maximum Torque
261 Nm
188 Nm
Power kW Rpm
6000
6000
Torque Nm Rpm
3000
4400-5200
Turbo Type
-
Naturally aspirated
Fuel System
-
Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Spec
CX-60
UX
Transmission
8-Speed Auto
ECVT
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, all-wheel drive
FWD
Paddle Shifters
Standard
-
Final Drive Ratio
4.181
-
Number of Gears
8 km/h
-
Transmission Type
8-Speed Auto
ECVT
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Auto
ECVT
4WD Hi Range
-
-
4WD Lo Range
-
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
-
Gearbox Type
8-Speed Auto
ECVT
Low Range
-
-
Axle Layout
AWD
FWD
Transmission Speeds
8 km/h
-
Transfer Case
-
-
4WD Engagement
-
-
4WD Selector
-
-
Front Differential Lock
-
-
Rear Differential Lock
-
-
Spec
CX-60
UX
Claimed Mileage
13.0 km/l
23.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
58 l
43 l
Emission Standard
Euro stage IV
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
-
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Average Fuel Consumption
7.7 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
7.7 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
7.7 l/100km
4.2 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
4.2 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
7.7 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
DC Charging Power
-
-
Fuel Economy Combined
7.7 l/100km
4.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
58 l
43 l
Fuel Type
Petrol
Hybrid
Low Range Ratio
-
-
Combined Driving Range
-
-
Electric Consumption
-
-
Range Real World Highway
-
-
Range Real World Mixed
-
-
Range Wltp
-
-
Spec
CX-60
UX
Airbags
7
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard 2
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Immobiliser/ Alarm,Intrusion Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
UX
Performance
55/100
Efficiency
92/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
55/100
Ownership
93/100
CX-60
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
51/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
68/100
Ownership
55/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Lexus UX
wins with 76 pts
vs 68 pts for CX-60
In structured scoring, UX 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 UX 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 UX 92. 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, UX 94. 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, UX 93. 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, UX 55. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: CX-60 59, UX 55. 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 UX edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The UX 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 UX in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: CX-60 scores 59 vs 55.
Efficiency: CX-60 scores 51 vs 92.
Safety: CX-60 scores 99 vs 94.
Practicality: CX-60 scores 68 vs 55.
Ownership: CX-60 scores 55 vs 93.
Final structured scoring gives UX
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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