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?
Black Badge Cullinan
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
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Model Introduced Year
2020
2015
Generation
Black Badge Cullinan Series II, the high-power alter ego of the current Cullinan SUV
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Facelift History
Black Badge Cullinan debuted globally in 2019, was introduced in South Africa in 2020 and evolved into Black Badge Cullinan Series II in May 2024
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
2024
2015
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door performance-luxury SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Full-size performance super-luxury SUV
Compact crossover
Vehicle Type
Internal-combustion sport utility vehicle
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1270 kg
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Length
5355 mm
4275 mm
Width
2000 mm
1765 mm
Height
1835 mm
1542 mm
Wheelbase
3295 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
173 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
173 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
612 l
230 l
Kerb Weight
2725 kg
1270 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3300 kg
1735 kg
Payload Capacity
575 kg
465 kg
Towing Capacity
2700 kg
850 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.6 m
5.7 m
Front Headroom
1064 mm
-
Rear Headroom
1026 mm
-
Front Legroom
1006 mm
1058 mm
Rear Legroom
1090 mm
888 mm
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Engine
6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
N74B68A
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
6750 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
12
4
Cylinder Layout
V
Inline
Valves
48
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
13.0:1
Bore
89 mm
83.5 mm
Stroke
90.4 mm
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
441 kW @ 5250-5750 rpm
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
900 Nm @ 1700-4000 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
AWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
197 km/h
0-100 km/h
5.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Low
Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
161.8 kW/tonne
90.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
330.3 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
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Gearbox
8-speed ZF automatic
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive with front- and rear-steered axles
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
ATC 13 transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No lockable differential
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
2.81:1
4.325
Number of Gears
8
6
Transmission Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
-
Gear Shift Type
Satellite Aided automatic gear selection via column stalk with Low button
Automatic
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
FWD
4WD Engagement
Everywhere off-road capability engaged by one button
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Everywhere button
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-speed ZF automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
All-wheel-drive power delivery with front- and rear-steered axles
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
6
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Claimed Mileage
5.95 km/l
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
5.10 km/l
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
8.08 km/l
18.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
90 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6e (B6e)
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Automatic start/stop: Yes
Standard
Real-world Mileage
5.95 km/l
15.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
90
48
Combined Driving Range
536-563 km (calculated from 90 L and 16.0-16.8 l/100 km WLTP)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
-
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Airbags
8
6
ABS
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
Traction Control
Dynamic Traction Control
-
Hill Descent Control
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Rear child-safety locks
-
ISOFIX Mounts
ISOFIX child-seat mounts
Standard
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
-
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Front & Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Not Available
AEB
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Not Available
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Head Protection System
Standard
Driver Airbag
Driver airbag
Standard
EBD
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Standard
Hill Hold
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Front-passenger airbag
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear three-point pretensioning seatbelts; front force limiters
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seatbelt warning sensor
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Standard
Stability Control
Dynamic Stability Control
Standard
TCS
Dynamic Traction Control
-
Knee Airbag
Active front knee protection
Not Available
ABS EBD
Four-channel Anti-lock Braking System
Standard
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Cruise Control
Dynamic Cruise Control; Active Cruise Control fitted to the referenced current vehicle
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Warning with Active Return
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Rear View Camera
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Collision Warning with Brake Function; pedestrian/bike warning with brake function
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Driver Attention Alert System
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Speed Limit Information
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
High-Beam Assistance
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Park Distance Control, front and rear
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Rear View Camera
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Active Cruise Control
Not Available
Park Assist
Park Assist and Reversing Assistant
-
Around View Monitor
Surround View Camera with 3D view
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Lane Change Warning with Blind Spot Detection
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Collision Warning with Brake Function
-
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Seat Material
Leather, Duality Twill or Bespoke alternatives
Black Leather
Heated Seats
Heated front seats; rear-seat heating available
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Front and rear seat cooling available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Illuminated Fascia with glowing Black Badge infinity motif and vertical Cityscape pattern; up-lit Black Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Heated full-leather multifunction Black Badge steering wheel
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
Electronically folding 2/3 and 1/3 rear bench
(60:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Heated, electronically adjustable front seat with memory
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Seat Trim
Technical Carbon and Placed Perforation available
Black Leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
1360 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1281 mm
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Climate Control
Automatic four-zone climate control
Automatic
Power Windows
Front and rear power windows with one-touch up/down
Front & Rear
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access keyless entry
Smart
Push Button Start
Engine start button
Standard
Wireless Charging
Wireless smartphone charging
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic glass roof available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Power-operated two-part Clasp tailgate
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed windshield wipers
Standard
AC Type
Automatic four-zone climate control
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
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Infotainment System
SPIRIT infotainment operated by touch, controller and voice commands
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay compatibility
Wireless
Android Auto
Android Auto compatibility
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Bluetooth wireless technology
Standard
Number of Speakers
16
7
Digital Instrument Cluster
SPIRIT digital instrument interface
Not Available
USB Ports
USB Type-C ports
2
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen and SPIRIT
8-Inch
Touchscreen
10.25-inch Central Information Display with touchscreen and SPIRIT
8-Inch
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
LED Headlamps
Rolls-Royce LED headlights
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Vertical daytime-running-light treatment
Standard
Fog Lamps
Front fog lamps
-
Roof Rails
No; vehicle not approved for roof loads
-
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke exterior colours available; colour may extend to lower body surfaces, sill, valances and lower front bumper
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.
Rolls-Royce all-wheel drive with all-wheel steering
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
-
25.7 deg
Ground Clearance Max
-
155 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
155 mm
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Tyre Size
255/45 R22 107Y front and 285/40 R22 110Y rear; 255/40 R23 104Y front and 295/35 R23 108Y rear; 255/45 R22 107H M+S all-round
215/50R18
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size matching spare wheel fitted on an exact 2026 commissioned vehicle; mounted inside
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Wheel Rim Size
22- and 23-inch approved fitments; 23-inch Black Badge wheels
18 X 7.0 J
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on rear discs
Electronic
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Front Suspension
Black Badge-tuned double-wishbone self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Black Badge-tuned five-link self-levelling air suspension with electronically controlled dampers
Torsion beam axle
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
CO2 Emissions
380 g/km
146 g/km
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Service Plan
4 years / unlimited km
3 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Ownership Role
High-power owner-driven Cullinan with Black Badge chassis and design treatment
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Pricing Role
Price on application
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
-
551600 ZAR
Starting Price
-
551600
Starting Price Zar
-
551600
Spec
Black Badge Cullinan
CX-3
Warranty
4 years; regional conditions apply
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Black Badge Cullinan 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: Black Badge Cullinan 100 vs CX-3 47.
Efficiency index: Black Badge Cullinan 28 vs CX-3 61.
Safety-equipment index: Black Badge Cullinan 99 vs CX-3 84.
Practicality index: Black Badge Cullinan 75 vs CX-3 48.
Ownership-cover index: Black Badge Cullinan 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
Black Badge Cullinan leads by 19 points
Black Badge Cullinan holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-3.
Performance
Black Badge Cullinan +53
Efficiency
CX-3 +33
Safety
Black Badge Cullinan +15
Practicality
Black Badge Cullinan +27
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Black Badge Cullinan
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
28/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
75/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan
leads the specification evidence index with 79 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Black Badge Cullinan 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.
Compare
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