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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
CX-3
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
All-New CX-5
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
CX-3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Model Introduced Year
2026
2015
Generation
Third-generation Mazda CX-5 for South Africa
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Facelift History
All-new third-generation model; no facelift applies
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
2026
2015
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
upcoming
Active
Segment
Medium SUV
Compact crossover
Vehicle Type
Passenger Vehicle
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1270 kg
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Length
4690 mm
4275 mm
Width
1860 mm
1765 mm
Height
1695 mm
1542 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
205 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
200 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
56 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
466 l
230 l
Kerb Weight
1629 kg
1270 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2190 kg
1735 kg
Payload Capacity
561 kg
465 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
850 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.0 m
5.7 m
Front Headroom
1007 mm
-
Rear Headroom
1020 mm
-
Front Legroom
1058 mm
1058 mm
Rear Legroom
1012 mm
888 mm
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Engine
2.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2488 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
13.0:1
13.0:1
Bore
89 mm
83.5 mm
Stroke
100 mm
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
132 kW @ 6000 rpm
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
240 Nm @ 4000 rpm
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
187 km/h
197 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.4 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Normal, Sport
Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
81.0 kW/tonne
90.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
147.3 Nm/tonne
162.2 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Gearbox
6-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Available
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
4.624
4.325
Number of Gears
6
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
-
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Available
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Torque Converter Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
6
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Claimed Mileage
13.2 km/l
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
18.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
56 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro VI
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
13.2 km/l
15.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
56
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Airbags
7
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
-
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
-
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
-
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front and Rear
Front & Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
-
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front and Rear
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
-
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and Rear
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
-
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
-
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Seat Material
Black Cloth
Black Leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Multi-colour
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
40:20:40
(60:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual (Driver & Passenger)
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Seat Trim
Black Cloth
Black Leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
1360 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1281 mm
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Climate Control
Dual-Zone Automatic
Automatic
Power Windows
Front and Rear
Front & Rear
Keyless Entry
Smart Keyless Entry
Smart
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Manual
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Dual-Zone Automatic
Automatic
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1140 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Infotainment System
Mazda Connect
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Wireless
Android Auto
Wireless
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
8
7
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch
Not Available
USB Ports
2 USB-C
2
Infotainment Screen
12.9-inch
8-Inch
Touchscreen
12.9-inch
8-Inch
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Not Available
-
Roof Rails
Not Available
-
Exterior Colour Options
Aero Grey, Arctic White, Jet Black, Machine Grey, Navy Blue Mica, Polymetal Grey, Rhodium White, Soul Red Crystal
Aero Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black, Machine Grey, Polymetal Grey, Platinum Quartz and Soul Red Crystal are listed, with Carbon availability limited to selected finishes.
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic + Machining
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Approach Angle
17.9 deg
-
Departure Angle
23.3 deg
25.7 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
-
Terrain Modes
Normal, Sport
Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
16.8 deg
-
Ground Clearance Max
-
155 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
155 mm
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Tyre Size
225/65 R17
215/50R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary 155/80 R17
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Wheel Rim Size
17x7J
18 X 7.0 J
Handbrake Type
Electronic Parking Brake
Electronic
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Torsion beam axle
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
CO2 Emissions
174 g/km
146 g/km
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Service Plan
5 Years/Unlimited km
3 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Ownership Role
Upcoming exact South African retail grade with confirmed launch price
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
570000 ZAR
551600 ZAR
Pricing Role
Announced launch price
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
570000
551600
Starting Price Zar
570000
551600
Spec
All-New CX-5
CX-3
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This All-New CX-5 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: All-New CX-5 52 vs CX-3 47.
Efficiency index: All-New CX-5 52 vs CX-3 61.
Safety-equipment index: All-New CX-5 98 vs CX-3 84.
Practicality index: All-New CX-5 66 vs CX-3 48.
Ownership-cover index: All-New CX-5 not separately scored 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
All-New CX-5 leads by 8 points
All-New CX-5 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
All-New CX-5
Performance
52/100
Efficiency
52/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
66/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMazda All-New CX-5
leads the specification evidence index with 68 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, All-New CX-5 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.
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.
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