VS
At a Glance
Power
106kW@6000
121 kW
Torque
189Nm@4250
213 Nm
Fuel
—
6.6 l/100km
Towing
1100
1200 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
—
Engine
1998
1998 cc
Choosing between the KIA Carens and the Mazda CX-30 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The KIA Carens delivers 106kW@6000 while the Mazda CX-30 produces 121 kW. On fuel, the Carens returns 0 while the CX-30 uses 6.6 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R253 995 for the Carens and R539 800 for the CX-30. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
106kW@6000
121 kW
Torque
189Nm@4250
213 Nm
0-100 kph
—
—
Top Speed
—
196 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1998
1998 cc
Engine Layout
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
UNLEADED
petrol
Transmission
AUTOMATIC
automatic
Number of Gears
4
6
Drive Wheels
FRONT
front
Full Time 4x4
✗
—
Low Range
✗
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
—
6.6 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
55
51 l
CO2 Emissions
—
150 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4545
4395 mm
Width
1800
1795-2040 mm
Height
1650
1540 mm
Wheelbase
2560
2655 mm
Ground Clearance
156
175 mm
Kerb Weight
1498
1340 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
5
Load Volume
—
295-1200 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1100
1200 Kg
Load Capacity
2106
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
ESP
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
6
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✗
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✗
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✗
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Front
✗
—
Sunroof
✗
—
Heated Seats
✗
—
Electric Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✗
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
120
5
Warranty Distance
150000
unlimited Km
Service Plan
M
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
5
Service Plan Distance
—
unlimited
Service Intervals
30000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
KIA Carens
2 / 4 categories
Performance
CX-30
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Carens
Practicality
Carens
Pros & Cons
KIA Carens
Lower starting price (R253 995)
No factory service plan
Mazda CX-30
Higher towing capacity (1200 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (6.6 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carens or CX-30?
The Carens uses 0 and the CX-30 uses 6.6 l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Carens or CX-30?
The Carens produces 106kW@6000 and 189Nm@4250 of torque while the CX-30 delivers 121 kW and 213 Nm of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Carens and CX-30?
The Carens starts from R253 995 and the CX-30 from R539 800. The Carens is cheaper by R285 805 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Carens or CX-30?
The Carens has a braked towing capacity of 1100 and the CX-30 can tow 1200 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Carens or the CX-30?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.