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.
2.0 Individual Auto FWDPetrol6-Speed AutomaticCurrent
ZAR 551,600ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW🔧 206 Nm⛽ 15.9 km/l
+Add a 3rd car
At a Glance — Who Wins What
⚡PerformanceCX-3
⛽Fuel EconomyATTO 2 DM-i
🛡SafetyATTO 2 DM-i
📦PracticalityATTO 2 DM-i
🔑OwnershipNot enough comparable data
CX-3 starts ZAR 9,900 cheaperATTO 2 DM-i from ZAR 449,900 · CX-3 from ZAR 440,000
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Maximum Power
72 kW @ 6000 rpm
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
122 Nm @ 4500 rpm
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
Engine Size
1498 cc
1998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
19.6 km/l
15.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
160 mm
155 mm
Boot / Load Bay
425 l
230 l
Airbags
6
6
Kerb Weight
1510 kg
1270 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Warranty
5 years/150000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/150000 km drive unit
5 Years/Unlimited km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
ATTO 2 DM-i and CX-3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
CX-3
+10 pts
Efficiency
ATTO 2 DM-i
+20 pts
Safety
ATTO 2 DM-i
+8 pts
Practicality
ATTO 2 DM-i
+8 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Catalogue-index leader
ATTO 2 DM-i
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished 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?
ATTO 2 DM-i
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
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Model Introduced Year
2026
2015
Generation
First South African ATTO 2 DM-i generation
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
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
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
Active
Segment
Compact SUV
Compact crossover
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1270 kg
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Length
4330 mm
4275 mm
Width
1830 mm
1765 mm
Height
1675 mm
1542 mm
Wheelbase
2620 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
160 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
425 l
230 l
Kerb Weight
1510 kg
1270 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
1735 kg
Payload Capacity
490 kg
465 kg
Towing Capacity
750 kg
850 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.25 m
5.7 m
Front Headroom
1020 mm
-
Rear Headroom
960 mm
-
Front Legroom
1100 mm
1058 mm
Rear Legroom
760 mm
888 mm
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Obsidian Black, Midnight Blue, Time Grey, Skiing White
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
Standard
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic + Machining
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Approach Angle
18 deg
-
Departure Angle
23 deg
25.7 deg
Wading Depth
342.95 mm
-
Terrain Modes
Snow
Sport
Locking Differential
Not Available
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
16.0 deg
-
Ground Clearance Max
-
155 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
155 mm
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Tyre Size
R16
215/50R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Wheel Rim Size
16
18 X 7.0 J
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion beam axle
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
CO2 Emissions
69 g/km
146 g/km
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Service Plan
4 years/60000 km service plan
3 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Ownership Role
higher-equipment derivative
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
489900 ZAR
551600 ZAR
Pricing Role
higher-equipment derivative
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
489900
551600
Starting Price Zar
489900
551600
Spec
ATTO 2 DM-i
CX-3
Warranty
5 years/150000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/150000 km drive unit
5 Years/Unlimited km
Source-backed Catalogue Index
A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.
Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout
ATTO 2 DM-i leads by 5 points
ATTO 2 DM-i and CX-3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
ATTO 2 DM-i
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
81/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
56/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆BYD ATTO 2 DM-i
leads the catalogue index with 65 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, ATTO 2 DM-i leads. However, CX-3 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
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.
Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.
Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.
Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.
It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
This ATTO 2 DM-i 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: ATTO 2 DM-i 37 vs CX-3 47.
Efficiency index: ATTO 2 DM-i 81 vs CX-3 61.
Safety-equipment index: ATTO 2 DM-i 92 vs CX-3 84.
Practicality index: ATTO 2 DM-i 56 vs CX-3 48.
Ownership-cover index: ATTO 2 DM-i 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.
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