Kia Sportage vs Mazda CX-5
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 67% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Sportage | CX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 662 995 | R 570 500 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 11 588/m | R 9 971/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 82% |
| Retained after 3 years | 67% | 67% |
| Value after 3 years | R 442 426 | R 380 703 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 220 569 | R 189 797 |
| Value after 5 years | R 351 365 | R 302 345 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Mainstream |
Kia Sportage →
Kia's best-known nameplate locally, on sale since the brand's 1998 arrival and now in its fifth generation. Striking styling and generous spec pull buyers who would otherwise look at a Tucson or RAV4. Depreciation is typical Korean mainstream, steeper than a Toyota but cushioned by the long warranty.
Known for: bold-styled family suv with long warranty
Mazda CX-5 →
Mazda's best seller in South Africa since it landed in 2012, fighting the Tiguan, RAV4 and Sportage. Earlier ranges offered 2.5 petrol and 2.2 diesel options, but the current lineup centres on the 2.0 petrol automatic. It is a dependable used buy with decent, if not Toyota-level, resale.
Known for: reliable family suv and brand best seller
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Kia Sportage or the Mazda CX-5?
They are close to inseparable: 67% vs 67% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Kia Sportage loses about R 220 569 over three years and the Mazda CX-5 loses about R 189 797. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Kia Sportage runs about R 11 588 per month and the Mazda CX-5 about R 9 971, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.