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?
C5
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
C5
CX-3
Model Introduced Year
2023
2015
Generation
Current South Africa C5 range
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
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
2023
2015
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
SUV
Compact crossover
Tare Mass Kg
1381 kg
1270 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
C5
CX-3
Length
4400 mm
4275 mm
Width
1830 mm
1765 mm
Height
1590 mm
1542 mm
Wheelbase
2630 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
169 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
145 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
442 l
230 l
Kerb Weight
1381 kg
1270 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1856 kg
1735 kg
Payload Capacity
475 kg
465 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
850 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.1 m
5.7 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
-
Rear Headroom
970 mm
-
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1058 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
888 mm
Spec
C5
CX-3
Front Track Width
Not Available
-
Rear Track Width
Not Available
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Torsion beam axle
Spec
C5
CX-3
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Manual / automatic by trim
Automatic
Power Windows
Standard
Front & Rear
Keyless Entry
Standard
Smart
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
1149 l
1140 l
AC Type
Manual / automatic by trim
Automatic
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
C5
CX-3
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
SQRE4T15C
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1500 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Petrol injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
13.0:1
Bore
77.0 mm
83.5 mm
Stroke
80.5 mm
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
115 kW @ 5500 rpm
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
230 Nm
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 DCT
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
197 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
16.7 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
83.3 kW/tonne
90.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
166.5 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
C5
CX-3
Gearbox
6-Speed DCT
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
4.325
Number of Gears
6
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Dual-clutch
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
-
Gear Shift Type
Electric
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 Applicable
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
DCT
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
FWD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
6
Spec
C5
CX-3
Claimed Mileage
14.5 km/l
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
11.7 km/l
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
17.1 km/l
18.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Available
Standard
Real-world Mileage
14.5 km/l
15.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
51
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
C5
CX-3
Airbags
Multiple airbags
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
-
Hill Descent Control
Standard
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
Standard
Front & Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
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
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
-
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
C5
CX-3
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
-
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
-
Spec
C5
CX-3
Seat Material
Fabric or cloth trim
Black Leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
1360 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
1281 mm
Steering Wheel Material
Polyurethane / synthetic
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
(60:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Seat Trim
Fabric
Black Leather
Spec
C5
CX-3
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Wireless
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4-6
7
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
Not Available
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
2
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
8-Inch
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
8-Inch
Spec
C5
CX-3
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Not Available
-
Roof Rails
Standard
-
Exterior Colour Options
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, moonlight silver, grey and other official Omoda market colours where listed.
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
Not Available
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic + Machining
Spec
C5
CX-3
Approach Angle
Not Available
-
Departure Angle
Not Available
25.7 deg
Wading Depth
Not Available
-
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
169 mm
155 mm
Ground Clearance Min
169 mm
155 mm
Spec
C5
CX-3
Tyre Size
17-inch alloy
215/50R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch alloy
18 X 7.0 J
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic
Spec
C5
CX-3
CO2 Emissions
169 g/km
146 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
C5
CX-3
Service Plan
2 Years / 25 000 km
3 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
C5
CX-3
Ownership Role
entry-value
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
339900 ZAR
551600 ZAR
Pricing Role
entry-value
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
339900
551600
Starting Price Zar
339900
551600
Spec
C5
CX-3
Warranty
5 Years / 150 000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This C5 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: C5 51 vs CX-3 47.
Efficiency index: C5 56 vs CX-3 61.
Safety-equipment index: C5 91 vs CX-3 84.
Practicality index: C5 59 vs CX-3 48.
Ownership-cover index: C5 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
C5 leads by 4 points
C5 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
Evidence-index leader
C5
Performance
51/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
59/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexOmoda C5
leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, C5 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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