Honda HR-V vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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.

Honda HR-V in South Africa

Honda HR-V

1.5 Elegance CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 529,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 119 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Exceed 1.5L CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 499,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW 🔧 141 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Honda HR-V vs Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: the short answer

HR-V and Outlander Sport are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Outlander Sport starts ZAR 39,910 cheaper HR-V from ZAR 489,900 · Outlander Sport from ZAR 449,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification HR-V Outlander Sport
Maximum Power HR-V119 kW Outlander Sport77 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque HR-V145 Nm Outlander Sport141 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size HR-V1498 cc Outlander Sport1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy HR-V16.1 km/l Outlander Sport16.1 km/l
Ground Clearance HR-V196 mm Outlander Sport193 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

HR-V

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

Outlander Sport

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

HR-V

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

Outlander Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec HR-V Outlander Sport
Model Introduced Year 2022 2025
Generation Built on Honda’s global compact SUV platform with improved safety and comfort First South African Outlander Sport generation, Mitsubishi Xforce architecture
Facelift History New generation introduced with updated design and improved features Introduced locally in January 2025 and replaced ASX.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment SUV Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1360 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec HR-V Outlander Sport
Length 4340 mm 4390 mm
Width 1790 mm 1810 mm
Height 1590 mm 1660 mm
Wheelbase 2610 mm 2650 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 196 mm 193 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 196 mm 195 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 40 l 42 l
Boot/Cargo Space 437 l 480 l
Kerb Weight 1360 kg 1250 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1780 kg 1730 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg 480 kg
Towing Capacity 1200 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m 5.2 m
Front Headroom 975 mm 950 mm
Rear Headroom 965 mm 880 mm
Front Legroom 1065 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 958 mm 370 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This HR-V and Outlander Sport 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: HR-V 41 vs Outlander Sport 30.

Efficiency index: HR-V 62 vs Outlander Sport 62.

Safety-equipment index: HR-V 91 vs Outlander Sport 73.

Practicality index: HR-V 60 vs Outlander Sport 67.

Ownership-cover index: HR-V 43 vs Outlander Sport 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

HR-V leads by 3 points

HR-V and Outlander Sport are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 60 /100
Lead 3 points
Data 90% source coverage
60
#1 Evidence leader

HR-V

90% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 41
Performance 41
Efficiency 62
Safety 91
Practicality 60
Ownership 43
Leads by 3 points
57
#2

Outlander Sport

79% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 73 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 62
Safety 73
Practicality 67
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance HR-V +11 Efficiency Level Safety HR-V +18 Practicality Outlander Sport +7

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

HR-V

Performance 41/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 43/100

Outlander Sport

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 73/100
Practicality 67/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Honda HR-V leads the specification evidence index with 60 pts vs 57 pts for Outlander Sport

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

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

HR-V
HR-V
VS
C5 SHS
C5 SHS
HR-V vs C5 SHS →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
X70 Plus
X70 Plus
HR-V vs X70 Plus →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
ATTO 2 DM-i
ATTO 2 DM-i
HR-V vs ATTO 2 DM-i →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
Destinator
Destinator
HR-V vs Destinator →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
Scorpio-N
Scorpio-N
HR-V vs Scorpio-N →
HR-V
HR-V
VS
Duster
Duster
HR-V vs Duster →
Outlander Sport
Outlander Sport
VS
C5 SHS
C5 SHS
Outlander Sport vs C5 SHS →
Outlander Sport
Outlander Sport
VS
X70 Plus
X70 Plus
Outlander Sport vs X70 Plus →

HR-V vs Outlander Sport 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.