Hyundai ALCAZAR vs Mazda Mazda3

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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 Mazda3 in South Africa

Mazda Mazda3

2.0 Astina Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 629,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Hyundai ALCAZAR vs Mazda Mazda3: the short answer

ALCAZAR and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Mazda3 starts ZAR 1,600 cheaper ALCAZAR from ZAR 499,900 · Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification ALCAZAR Mazda3
Maximum Power ALCAZAR85 kW Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque ALCAZAR250 Nm Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size ALCAZAR1493 cc Mazda31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy ALCAZAR16.9 km/l Mazda315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance ALCAZAR200 mm Mazda3140 mm

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

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Hyundai ALCAZAR

1.5D Elite AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mazda Mazda3

2.0 Astina Edition Auto FWD

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

ALCAZAR

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

Mazda3

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • 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 stronger published space and capacity figures

Mazda3

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ALCAZAR Mazda3
Model Introduced Year Current local generation year not confirmed 2019
Generation Current South African ALCAZAR listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data. Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback
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 seventh-generation South African hatchback launched in 2019 and the current range has since been consolidated to Dynamic and Astina editions.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2019
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Seven-seat SUV Hatchback
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 active Active
Segment SUV C-segment hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 1445 kg 1350 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Hatchback
Spec ALCAZAR Mazda3
Length 4560 mm 4460 mm
Width 1800 mm 1795 mm
Height 1710 mm 1440 mm
Wheelbase 2760 mm 2725 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 200 mm 140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed -
Fuel Tank Capacity 50 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 180 l 295 l
Kerb Weight 1445 kg 1350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2090 kg 1870 kg
Payload Capacity 645 kg 520 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 3 rows -
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed 5.3 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed -
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1075 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 891 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This ALCAZAR and Mazda3 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. 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 Mazda3 50.

Efficiency index: ALCAZAR 68 vs Mazda3 61.

Safety-equipment index: ALCAZAR 89 vs Mazda3 96.

Practicality index: ALCAZAR 64 vs Mazda3 50.

Ownership-cover index: ALCAZAR 65 vs Mazda3 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 2 points

ALCAZAR and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 66 /100
Lead 2 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 2 points
64
#2

Mazda3

77% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Performance 50
Performance 50
Efficiency 61
Safety 96
Practicality 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Mazda3 +6 Efficiency ALCAZAR +7 Safety Mazda3 +7 Practicality ALCAZAR +14

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

Mazda3

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 50/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai ALCAZAR leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts vs 64 pts for Mazda3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ALCAZAR leads. However, Mazda3 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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ALCAZAR vs Mazda3 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.