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 EfficiencyPublished Practicality
ZS
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
RAV4
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ZS
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
All-new sixth-generation RAV4 introduced in South Africa in July 2026
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current South African 2026 specification
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
active
active
Segment
SUV
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1725-1740 kg
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Length
4645 mm
4314 mm
Width
1880 mm
1809 mm
Height
1680 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2690 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
186 mm
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
732 l
359 l
Kerb Weight
1560 kg
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2230 kg
1695 kg
Payload Capacity
460 kg
437 kg
Towing Capacity
1000 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
991 mm
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
947 mm
995 mm
Front Legroom
1031 mm
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
882 mm
850 mm
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Front Track Width
1620 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1650 mm
-
Front Suspension
Tread (mm) 1620
Independent
Rear Suspension
Tread (mm) 1650
Torsion Beam
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Auto Dual zone
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
All All One Touch
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard Smart Entry
Standard
Push Button Start
Push Start
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard Front x1
Not Available
Sunroof
Moon roof
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Standard Power
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Auto Dual zone
ETC air conditioning
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Engine
2.5-litre Petrol Hybrid
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
Market-specific engine family
NSE
Fuel Type
Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Self Charging Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2500 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Petrol Hybrid
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
87.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
103.48 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
137 kW @ 6000 rpm
84 kW
Maximum Torque
221 Nm
150 Nm
Combined Power
1 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
1 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated transmission electric motor
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
CVT
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
7.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Sport, Trail, Snow
No
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
119.24 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
400 V
Not Applicable
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
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Gearbox
CVT
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
AWD E-FOUR
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Standard Front + Rear,
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Electronic AWD Control
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
Not Applicable
4
Transmission Type
CVT
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD E-FOUR
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Permanent electric all-wheel drive
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
CVT
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
AWD E-FOUR
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not Applicable
4
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Claimed Mileage
21.3 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
17.2 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
24.8 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Available
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
21.3 km/l
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
55
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Airbags
Driver Knee, Front Side, Rear Curtain, Front Curtain
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard 2
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard Standard Eco / Normal /
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front + Rear
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard Standard Eco / Normal /
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front + Rear
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Rear
Rear View Camera
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Auto, Rainsensing
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Standard
Reverse Camera
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Seat Material
GR Sport Leather Sporty
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
Standard Front
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
3 Spoke Heated, GR-S Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Driver & Passenger Power
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Driver & Passenger Power
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
GR Sport Leather Sporty
PVC + PU
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Infotainment System
JBL Display Audio, 12.9-inch
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
Standard 9 Standard Audio, Info Display, Voice
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard 12.3-inch
Not Available
USB Ports
Standard 5PCs
Standard
Infotainment Screen
12.9-inch
8-inch
Touchscreen
12.9-inch
8-inch
Spec
RAV4
ZS
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Standard LED
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Platinum White Pearl, Attitude Black, Smokey Blue, Urban Khaki, Fierce Red and selected bi-tone finishes
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Approach Angle
25 deg
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
23 deg
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
500 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Normal; Eco; Sport; Off-road
Not Available
Locking Differential
Yes
Not Available
4WD System Type
Permanent electric all-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
20 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance Max
186 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
186 mm
-
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Tyre Size
R:235-50R20 Alloy
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space Saver 165-90D18 Steel F:235-50R20 Alloy-
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Rim Size
R:235-50R20 Alloy
17
Handbrake Type
Electric
Mechanical
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Service Interval
12 months / 15 000 km
-
Battery Warranty
8 years 160 000 km
-
Service Plan
6 Services / 90 000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
RAV4
ZS
CO2 Emissions
107 g/km
165 g/km
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Ownership Role
Private and family
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
941800 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Flagship
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
941800
309900
Starting Price Zar
941800
309900
Spec
RAV4
ZS
Warranty
3 years / 100 000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This RAV4 and ZS 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: RAV4 56 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: RAV4 84 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: RAV4 94 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: RAV4 68 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: RAV4 not separately scored vs ZS 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
RAV4 and ZS 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 18 points
RAV4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over ZS.
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
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexToyota RAV4
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RAV4 leads. However, ZS 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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