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.
2.0 Astina Edition Auto FWDPetrol6-Speed AutomaticCurrent
ZAR 629,700ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW🔧 213 Nm⛽ 15.9 km/l
+Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
BAIC B40 Plus vs Mazda Mazda3: the short answer
B40 Plus and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Mazda3 starts ZAR 201,200 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
Mazda31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
Mazda315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 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.
BAIC B40 Plus
Honor Edition
Hagalu editorial rating
4.0/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
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)
B40 Plus
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
Mazda3
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
B40 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Mazda3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Model Introduced Year
2021
2019
Generation
Current B40 Plus Honor Edition within the locally served first B40 Plus generation, using body-on-frame construction and an electronic part-time 4WD system.
Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback
Facelift History
The B40 Plus launched in South Africa in October 2021. The current Honor Edition debuted locally in May 2025, adding electric seat adjustment and a sunroof to the City Hunter-based specification; BAIC now presents it as the sole current B40 Plus derivative.
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
2025
2019
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Off-road SUV
C-segment hatchback
Vehicle Type
SUV
Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
-
1350 kg
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Length
4630 mm
4460 mm
Width
1925 mm
1795 mm
Height
1871 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2725 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
295 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
1350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
1870 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
520 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.3 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
-
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
-
Front Legroom
1045 mm
1075 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
891 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
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
1998 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
13.0:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
83.5 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
213 Nm @ 4000 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
4WD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.2 kW/tonne
89.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
157.8 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
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Gearbox
8AT
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
-
Transfer Case
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear electronic differential lock; Front optional electronic differential lock
Mazda South Africa offers model-specific solid, metallic and premium paint finishes subject to current edition availability.
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Approach Angle
37 deg
-
Departure Angle
31 deg
-
Wading Depth
600 mm
-
Terrain Modes
Snow, Sport, Comfort, Eco
Sport
Locking Differential
Rear axle electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
23 deg
-
Wading Depth Mm
600 mm
-
Ground Clearance Max
-
140 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
140 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Tyre Size
265/65 R17
215/45 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size spare
Temporary spare T125/70 D16
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
18x7J
Tyre Type
All-Terrain
-
Auto Brake Hold
Yes
-
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Electronic
Towing Unbraked Kg
750 kg
-
Wheel Material
Lightweight dual-tone alloy
Black Metallic
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Front Suspension
Double wishbone independent front suspension
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Five-link non-independent rear suspension
Torsion beam axle
Chassis Type
Body-on-frame
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Service Interval
15000 km
-
Service Plan Duration
4 years / 60000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Service Plan Distance
4 years / 60000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Service Plan
4 years / 60000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Warranty Years
5 years / 120000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Warranty Kilometers
5 years / 120000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Warranty
5 years / 120000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
CO2 Emissions
Not Officially Disclosed
146 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
92 RON or higher petrol
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Mazda3
Ownership Role
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
629700 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
699500
629700
Starting Price Zar
699500
629700
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus 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: B40 Plus 71 vs Mazda3 50.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs Mazda3 61.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs Mazda3 96.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs Mazda3 50.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 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.
Model imagery
B40 Plus and Mazda3 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
Mazda3 leads by 3 points
B40 Plus and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
B40 Plus +21
Efficiency
Mazda3 +20
Safety
Mazda3 +39
Practicality
B40 Plus +17
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Mazda3
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
96/100
Practicality
50/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMazda Mazda3
leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Mazda3 leads. However, B40 Plus 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 Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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