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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
RAV4
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Pajero Sport
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
RAV4
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Model Introduced Year
2017
2026
Generation
Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
All-new sixth-generation RAV4 introduced in South Africa in July 2026
Facelift History
South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Launched Since
Current specification
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African 2026 specification
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1725-1740 kg
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Length
4825 mm
4645 mm
Width
1815 mm
1880 mm
Height
1805 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2800 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
218 mm
186 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
68 l
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
193 l
732 l
Kerb Weight
2080 kg
1560 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2775 kg
2230 kg
Payload Capacity
695 kg
460 kg
Towing Capacity
2850 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
3 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1022 mm
991 mm
Rear Headroom
957 mm
947 mm
Front Legroom
1067 mm
1031 mm
Rear Legroom
880 mm
882 mm
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Engine
2.4-litre Intercooled Turbocharged Diesel
2.5-litre Petrol Hybrid
Engine Code
4N15
Market-specific engine family
Fuel Type
Diesel
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
2442 cc
2500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Common Rail Direct Injection
Petrol Hybrid
Compression Ratio
15.5:1
10.5:1
Bore
86 mm
87.5 mm
Stroke
105.1 mm
103.48 mm
Maximum Power
133 kW @ 3500 rpm
137 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
221 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
1 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
1 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Integrated transmission electric motor
Drive Type
4WD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
CVT
Top Speed
180 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
11.8 sec
7.8 sec
Quarter Mile
18.3 sec
15.5 sec
Drive Modes
Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, Rock
Sport, Trail, Snow
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
4500 rpm
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
63.9 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
206.7 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
1 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
64.8 kWh
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
400 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
CVT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, selectable four-wheel drive
AWD E-FOUR
LSD Available
Active Limited Slip Differential (brake control)
Standard Front + Rear,
Transfer Case
Super Select 4WD-II
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear differential lock
Electronic AWD Control
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
3.692
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
Automatic
CVT
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
4WD
AWD E-FOUR
4WD Engagement
Selectable electronically
Permanent electric all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Rotary selector
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Standard
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-Speed Automatic
CVT
Low Range Ratio
2.566
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x4
AWD E-FOUR
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
Not Applicable
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Claimed Mileage
12.3 km/l
21.3 km/l
City Mileage
9.9 km/l
17.2 km/l
Highway Mileage
14.2 km/l
24.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
68 l
55 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
12.3 km/l
21.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
68
55
Combined Driving Range
84
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
868 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
781 km
Not Applicable
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Airbags
7
Driver Knee, Front Side, Rear Curtain, Front Curtain
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard 2
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard Standard Eco / Normal /
Tyre Pressure Monitor
No
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Front + Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
AEB
No
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard Standard Eco / Normal /
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Front + Rear
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Standard
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
No
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
No
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
No
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Rear View Camera
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
No
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Standard
Auto Highbeam
No
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Auto, Rainsensing
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Reverse Camera
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Park Assist
No
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Blind Spot Warning
No
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Forward Collision Warning
No
Standard
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Seat Material
Leather
GR Sport Leather Sporty
Heated Seats
No
Standard Front
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
No
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
3 Spoke Heated, GR-S Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power adjustable
Driver & Passenger Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustable
Driver & Passenger Power
Seat Trim
Leather-appointed
GR Sport Leather Sporty
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Climate Control
Dual-zone automatic with rear air conditioning
Auto Dual zone
Power Windows
Front and rear
All All One Touch
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard Smart Entry
Push Button Start
Yes
Push Start
Wireless Charging
No
Standard Front x1
Sunroof
Yes
Moon roof
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Standard Power
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Dual-zone automatic with rear air conditioning
Auto Dual zone
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Infotainment System
Smartphone-link Display Audio
JBL Display Audio, 12.9-inch
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
Standard 9 Standard Audio, Info Display, Voice
Digital Instrument Cluster
Colour multi-information display
Standard 12.3-inch
USB Ports
Front and rear
Standard 5PCs
Infotainment Screen
8-inch
12.9-inch
Touchscreen
8-inch
12.9-inch
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Standard LED
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
White Diamond, Graphite Grey Metallic, Sterling Silver Metallic, Jet Black Mica
Platinum White Pearl, Attitude Black, Smokey Blue, Urban Khaki, Fierce Red and selected bi-tone finishes
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Not Available
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Approach Angle
30 deg
25 deg
Departure Angle
24.2 deg
23 deg
Wading Depth
700 mm
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, Rock
Normal; Eco; Sport; Off-road
Locking Differential
Rear differential lock
Yes
4WD System Type
Super Select 4WD-II
Permanent electric all-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
23.1 deg
20 deg
Ground Clearance Max
-
186 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
186 mm
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Tyre Size
265/60 R18
R:235-50R20 Alloy
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size alloy
Space Saver 165-90D18 Steel F:235-50R20 Alloy-
Wheel Rim Size
18-inch alloy
R:235-50R20 Alloy
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Electric
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Front Suspension
Double wishbone with coil spring
Tread (mm) 1620
Rear Suspension
Three-link rigid axle with coil spring
Tread (mm) 1650
Front Track Width
-
1620 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1650 mm
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
CO2 Emissions
214 g/km
107 g/km
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Service Plan
5 years / 90,000 km; 10,000 km intervals
6 Services / 90 000 km
Service Interval
-
12 months / 15 000 km
Battery Warranty
-
8 years 160 000 km
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Ownership Role
New vehicle sold through Mitsubishi Motors South Africa
Private and family
Price Zar
904990 ZAR
941800 ZAR
Pricing Role
Official South African recommended retail price
Flagship
Starting Price
904990
941800
Starting Price Zar
904990
941800
Spec
Pajero Sport
RAV4
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km
3 years / 100 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Pajero Sport and RAV4 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: Pajero Sport 65 vs RAV4 56.
Efficiency index: Pajero Sport 49 vs RAV4 84.
Safety-equipment index: Pajero Sport 72 vs RAV4 94.
Practicality index: Pajero Sport 71 vs RAV4 68.
Ownership-cover index: Pajero Sport not separately scored vs RAV4 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.
Model imagery
Pajero Sport and RAV4 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
RAV4 leads by 10 points
RAV4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Pajero Sport remains close.
Performance
Pajero Sport +9
Efficiency
RAV4 +35
Safety
RAV4 +22
Practicality
Pajero Sport +3
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
RAV4
Performance
56/100
Efficiency
84/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
68/100
Pajero Sport
Performance
65/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
72/100
Practicality
71/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexToyota RAV4
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 65 pts for Pajero Sport
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RAV4 leads. However, Pajero 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.
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.
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