Toyota HiLux vs Mazda CX-5: new Cab Chassis or older diesel SUV
The HiLux is a new Cab Chassis with a big payload figure and much higher towing, while the CX-5 is a 2016 SUV no longer sold new, with more seats, a measured boot and lower fuel use.
By Uzzi · 23 October 2026 · Every figure comes from each car's own page on CarSorted.
2026 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x2 Single Cab Manual
$33,990
RRP excl. on-roads
Price tracker
Standing price
$33,990 RRP before on-road costs
We check the manufacturer's published price regularly and record every change here.
RRP before on-road costs, as published by the manufacturer.
2016 Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.2 Diesel AWD Auto
No price on record
Who the Toyota HiLux suits
The HiLux WorkMate suits tradies and business buyers who need a new Cab Chassis to carry a load or pull a heavy trailer. It has 2 seats, a 1,260kg payload and a 2,900kg braked towing figure. It is on sale new and holds a current ANCAP rating.
Who the Mazda CX-5 suits
The CX-5 Akera suits buyers after a family SUV that runs on diesel. It has 5 seats, a 403L boot and a lower combined fuel figure. It is a 2016 model that is no longer sold new in Australia.
What decides it
1. Seats and cargo
The HiLux has 2 seats, the CX-5 has 5 seats. The CX-5 offers a 403L boot that grows to 1,560L with the seats folded. The HiLux is a Cab Chassis, so we have no boot figure for it, but it carries a 1,260kg payload. If you need to move people, this decides it.
2. Towing
The HiLux is rated to tow 2,900kg braked, against 1,800kg for the CX-5. That is a gap of 1,100kg in the HiLux's favour. Both are rated to 750kg unbraked.
3. Availability and warranty
The HiLux is on sale new at $33,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) with a 5-year, unlimited km warranty. The CX-5 is a 2016 model that is no longer sold new in Australia, and we have no price figure for it. It came with a 3-year, unlimited km warranty when new, so check what cover, if any, remains on the car you look at.
Running costs
Both run on diesel. The CX-5 uses 5.7L/100km combined against 7.3L/100km for the HiLux, a gap of 1.6L/100km. Capped-price servicing for the HiLux comes to $1,300 (capped-price servicing total), with visits every 6 months, while we have no capped servicing figure for the CX-5, which is due every 12 months. The running-cost chart below lays out the comparison.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
$5,829
per year to run
$63,133
total 5yr cost
$0.81
per kilometre
Where the 5-year total goes
About $5,829/year to run, or $29,145 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
This model is no longer sold new, so there's no manufacturer RRP. Enter what you're paying (or a listing price) and we'll fold it into the total cost of ownership and cost-per-kilometre below.
$5,364
per year to run
$26,820
5yr running cost
Where the 5-year running cost goes
About $5,364/year to run, or $26,820 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration. This model is no longer sold new, so there's no published RRP. Enter your purchase price above to add total cost of ownership and per-kilometre figures.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
Practicality
The CX-5 has 5 seats and a 403L boot, while the HiLux has 2 seats and a 1,260kg payload. The HiLux is 5,380mm long, 840mm longer than the CX-5 at 4,540mm, though its turning circle is 10.8m against 11.2m. For towing, the HiLux's 2,900kg braked figure beats the CX-5's 1,800kg.
Cost to tow
The real fuel/energy cost once you hitch up. Pick a trailer and trip.
Estimate only: consumption rises as range falls; real use varies with terrain, wind and load.
Cost to tow
The real fuel/energy cost once you hitch up. Pick a trailer and trip.
⚠ Not every limit could be checked: the manufacturer publishes no payload or GCM for this vehicle, so this verdict rests only on the limits that are published.
Estimate only: consumption rises as range falls; real use varies with terrain, wind and load.
Will it fit in the boot?
May fitExample sizes only - measure your item before relying on this.
Volume check only (seats up)
Item box about 166L (41% of the volume). Litres don't describe shape, so this can't confirm a fit.
Mazda doesn't publish boot dimensions for this car, only 403 litres. Litres can prove something won't fit, but never that a rigid item will - so the best this car can score is "May fit".
Based on the manufacturer's published boot volume.
How quick is it?
How quick is it?
0-100 times as published and held in our records. Counts cover on-sale cars with a figure and refresh daily.
How quick is it?
No manufacturer 0-100 time is held for this car, so it isn't ranked.
Safety
The HiLux carries a 5-star ANCAP rating from 2025. The CX-5 was given a 5-star rating in 2016, but ANCAP ratings lapse after a set period and that one has now expired.
The figures side by side
| Toyota HiLux | Mazda CX-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $33,990 (RRP excl. on-roads) | No data |
| Powertrain | ICE | ICE |
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Drive | RWD | AWD |
| Transmission | Manual | 6-speed automatic (SKYACTIV-Drive) |
| Power | 150kW | 129kW |
| Torque | 420Nm | 420Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 10.2 seconds | No data |
| Fuel use (combined) | 7.3L/100km | 5.7L/100km |
| Fuel tank | 80L | 58L |
| Body | Cab Chassis | SUV |
| Seats | 2 seats | 5 seats |
| Boot (seats up) | No data | 403L |
| Boot (seats folded) | No data | 1,560L |
| Length | 5,380mm | 4,540mm |
| Width | 1,855mm | 1,840mm |
| Height | 1,880mm | 1,710mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,085mm | 2,700mm |
| Ground clearance | 225mm | 210mm |
| Turning circle | 10.8m | 11.2m |
| Kerb weight | 1,690kg | 1,705kg |
| Towing (braked) | 2,900kg | 1,800kg |
| Towing (unbraked) | 750kg | 750kg |
| ANCAP rating | 5-star (2025) | 5-star (2016) |
| Warranty | 5-year | 3-year |
| Warranty distance | unlimited km | unlimited km |
| Capped servicing, 5 years | $3,950 (capped-price servicing total) | No data |
| Service interval | 6 months | 12 months |
The verdict
These two do different jobs, so pick the HiLux for payload and towing, and the CX-5 if you need seats, a boot and lower fuel use.
Pick the Toyota HiLux if
you need a new Cab Chassis with a 1,260kg payload, 2,900kg braked towing and a current 5-star ANCAP rating.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if
you need 5 seats, a 403L boot and 5.7L/100km fuel use, and you are fine with a 2016 model that is no longer sold new.
Put them side by side yourself
Every figure, feature and running cost for both, in our live comparison table.
CarSorted CoDriverBeta
Ask about these two cars
- Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x2 Single Cab Manual
- Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.2 Diesel AWD Auto
Tap a question or ask your own.Tap a question or ask your own. The answer starts from the cars in this comparison, with links to the rows behind them.
Questions buyers ask
Can the Mazda CX-5 tow as much as the Toyota HiLux?
No. The CX-5 is rated to 1,800kg braked, while the HiLux WorkMate is rated to 2,900kg. Both are rated to 750kg unbraked.
Which uses less fuel, the HiLux or the CX-5 diesel?
The CX-5 has the lower combined figure at 5.7L/100km, against 7.3L/100km for the HiLux.
Does the 2016 Mazda CX-5 still have a current ANCAP rating?
No. It was rated 5-star in 2016, and that rating has since expired.
How many seats does the HiLux WorkMate Single Cab have?
It has 2 seats. The CX-5 has 5 seats.
Can I buy the 2016 Mazda CX-5 Akera new?
No, the 2016 CX-5 Akera is no longer sold new in Australia. We have no price figure for it.
More on these cars
- 2026 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x2 Single Cab Manual: full specs and priceEvery Toyota HiLux gradeAll Toyota models
- 2016 Mazda CX-5 Akera 2.2 Diesel AWD Auto: full specs and priceEvery Mazda CX-5 gradeAll Mazda models
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