Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan X-Trail
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
| CX-5 | X-Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 570 500 | R 687 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 9 971/m | R 12 023/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 82% |
| Retained after 3 years | 67% | 67% |
| Value after 3 years | R 380 703 | R 459 046 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 189 797 | R 228 854 |
| Value after 5 years | R 302 345 | R 364 563 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Mainstream |
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
Nissan X-Trail →
On sale since late 2001, the X-Trail has evolved from boxy soft-roader to seven-seat family crossover and has passed 50,000 local sales across four generations. The current model offers strong spec for the money but sells in small volumes. Earlier generations remain popular used buys for their space and durability.
Known for: practical family suv value
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Mazda CX-5 or the Nissan X-Trail?
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 Mazda CX-5 loses about R 189 797 over three years and the Nissan X-Trail loses about R 228 854. 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 Mazda CX-5 runs about R 9 971 per month and the Nissan X-Trail about R 12 023, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.