Hyundai ALCAZAR vs Mazda CX-3

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Hyundai ALCAZAR in South Africa

Hyundai ALCAZAR

1.5D Elite AT Diesel Current
ZAR 669,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
VS
Mazda CX-3 in South Africa

Mazda CX-3

2.0 Individual Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 551,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW 🔧 206 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai ALCAZAR vs Mazda CX-3: the short answer

ALCAZAR and CX-3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

CX-3 starts ZAR 59,900 cheaper ALCAZAR from ZAR 499,900 · CX-3 from ZAR 440,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification ALCAZAR CX-3
Maximum Power ALCAZAR85 kW CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque ALCAZAR250 Nm CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
Engine Size ALCAZAR1493 cc CX-31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy ALCAZAR16.9 km/l CX-315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance ALCAZAR200 mm CX-3155 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

ALCAZAR

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

CX-3

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

ALCAZAR

  • 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

CX-3

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ALCAZAR CX-3
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2015
Generation Current South African ALCAZAR listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Facelift History Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle. The CX-3 has received successive equipment and design updates since its 2015 debut; Carbon and Individual now sit together at the top of the South African range.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2015
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Seven-seat SUV SUV
Color Note Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering. -
Dealer Stock Note Top grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published Active
Segment SUV Compact crossover
Tare Mass Kg 1445 kg 1270 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec ALCAZAR CX-3
Length 4560 mm 4275 mm
Width 1800 mm 1765 mm
Height 1710 mm 1542 mm
Wheelbase 2760 mm 2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 155 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 48 l
Boot/Cargo Space 180 l 230 l
Kerb Weight 1445 kg 1270 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2090 kg 1735 kg
Payload Capacity 645 kg 465 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Towing Capacity - 850 kg
Minimum Turning Radius - 5.7 m
Front Legroom - 1058 mm
Rear Legroom - 888 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This ALCAZAR and CX-3 comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: ALCAZAR 44 vs CX-3 47.

Efficiency index: ALCAZAR 68 vs CX-3 61.

Safety-equipment index: ALCAZAR 89 vs CX-3 84.

Practicality index: ALCAZAR 64 vs CX-3 48.

Ownership-cover index: ALCAZAR 65 vs CX-3 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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

ALCAZAR leads by 6 points

ALCAZAR and CX-3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 66 /100
Lead 6 points
Data 70% source coverage
66
#1 Evidence leader

ALCAZAR

70% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 89 Check Performance 44
Performance 44
Efficiency 68
Safety 89
Practicality 64
Ownership 65
Leads by 6 points
60
#2

CX-3

71% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 61
Safety 84
Practicality 48
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-3 +3 Efficiency ALCAZAR +7 Safety ALCAZAR +5 Practicality ALCAZAR +16

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

ALCAZAR

Performance 44/100
Efficiency 68/100
Safety 89/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-3

Performance 47/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 48/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai ALCAZAR leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ALCAZAR leads. However, CX-3 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 African models and comparable body styles.

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ALCAZAR vs CX-3 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.