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.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Discontinued modelVerified historical specifications remain visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 420 kW🔧 820 Nm⛽ 6.99 km/l
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Decision summary
Mazda CX-3 vs Rolls-Royce Dawn: the short answer
Dawn has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
CX-3
Dawn
Maximum Power
CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm
Dawn420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
Dawn820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
Engine Size
CX-31998 cc
Dawn6592 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
CX-315.9 km/l
Dawn6.99 km/l
Ground Clearance
CX-3155 mm
Dawn149 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.
Mazda CX-3
2.0 Individual Auto FWD
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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)
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
Specification evidence leader
Dawn
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CX-3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Dawn
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Model Introduced Year
2015
2016
Generation
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Dawn four-seat convertible; this archive profile uses the MY17 World specification corroborated by a February 2018 South African road test.
Facelift History
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.
The MY17 configuration is kept separate from the 2015 launch specification, which published different length, torque, acceleration, consumption and CO2 figures.
Facelift Launched Since
2015
2017
Facelift Version Ending
Current
2023
Body Style
SUV
Convertible
Model Year
2026
2017
Production Status
Active
discontinued
Segment
Compact crossover
Ultra-luxury convertible
Tare Mass Kg
1270 kg
Not confirmed
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger car
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Length
4275 mm
5295 mm
Width
1765 mm
1947 mm
Height
1542 mm
1502 mm
Wheelbase
2570 mm
3112 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
149 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
82 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
321 l
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
2560 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1735 kg
3040 kg
Payload Capacity
465 kg
480 kg
Towing Capacity
850 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
4 seats
Doors
5 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
6.35 m
Front Legroom
1058 mm
1054 mm
Rear Legroom
888 mm
937 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
149 mm
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
1018 mm
Rear Headroom
-
963 mm
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Climate Control
Automatic
Individual front and rear climate controls
Power Windows
Front & Rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Smart
Comfort Entry keyless access
Push Button Start
Standard
Keyless ignition
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not confirmed
Sunroof
Standard
Not Applicable
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Smart power opening and closing luggage-compartment lid
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
1140 l
Not confirmed
AC Type
Automatic
Individual front and rear climate controls
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Engine
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
N74B66A
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
6592 cc
Cylinders
4
12
Cylinder Layout
Inline
V
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
48
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Twin Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
13.0:1
10.0:1
Bore
83.5 mm
89 mm
Stroke
91.2 mm
88.3 mm
Maximum Power
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
820 Nm @ 1600-4750 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
RWD
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
197 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
5.0 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
12.8 sec
Drive Modes
Sport
Low
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
90.6 kW/tonne
164.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
162.2 Nm/tonne
320.3 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
CX-3
Dawn
Gearbox
6-Speed Auto
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Paddle Shifters
Standard
No
Final Drive Ratio
4.325
2.813
Number of Gears
6
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Steering-column selector for 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
RWD
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
Standard
No
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Two axles
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Transmission Speeds
6
8
Clutch Type
-
Torque converter
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Claimed Mileage
15.9 km/l
6.99 km/l
City Mileage
12.8 km/l
4.59 km/l
Highway Mileage
18.7 km/l
10.10 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
82 l
Emission Standard
Euro stage IV
EU6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
No automatic engine stop/start
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
48
82
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
575 km
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
522.93 km
Real-world Mileage
15.9 km/l
6.99 km/l
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
ESP
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not confirmed
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Hill-start assist
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
LATCH child-seat anchor system
Brake Assist
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Engine immobiliser
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front & Rear
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Front Park Distance Control
AEB
Not Available
Available
BA
Standard
Dynamic Brake Control
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Not Applicable
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Not Available
Hill-start assist
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not confirmed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Front and rear
Seatbelt Reminder
Front & Rear
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Side Airbags
Standard
Front side-impact airbags
Stability Control
Standard
ESP
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Front active knee protection
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
-
Standard
Child Safety Lock
-
Not Applicable
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard
TCS
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Cruise Control
Standard
Automatic Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Optional
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Optional
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not confirmed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not confirmed
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Park-distance system
Rear View Camera
Standard
Optional rear-view camera with top view
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not confirmed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not confirmed
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Glare-free high-beam technology
Auto Wipers
Standard
Rain-sensing variable-speed wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Rear Park Distance Control
Reverse Camera
Standard
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not confirmed
Park Assist
-
Front and rear parking sensors
Forward Collision Warning
-
Pre-collision safety system
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Seat Material
Black Leather
Leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Front; standard
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Optional front ventilated seats
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Optional – Atmospheric Interior Environment
Front Shoulder Room
1360 mm
Not confirmed
Rear Shoulder Room
1281 mm
Not confirmed
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
(60:40)
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment and memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment
Seat Trim
Black Leather
Leather
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Infotainment System
Standard
Multimedia interface and navigation with Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Not confirmed
Android Auto
Standard
Not confirmed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
7
18
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Available
Analogue instruments with Power Reserve gauge
USB Ports
2
Standard
Infotainment Screen
8-Inch
10.25-inch high-definition display
Touchscreen
8-Inch
10.25-inch high-definition display
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
Black Metallic + Machining
Not confirmed
Exterior Colour Options
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.
Bespoke exterior colour commissioning
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Not Applicable
Roof Rails
-
Not Applicable
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Departure Angle
25.7 deg
Not confirmed
Terrain Modes
Sport
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max
155 mm
Not confirmed
Ground Clearance Min
155 mm
Not confirmed
Wading Depth
-
Not Applicable
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Tyre Size
215/50R18
Front 255/45 R20 101Y; rear 285/40 R20 104Y
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
No spare wheel; run-flat tyres
Wheel Rim Size
18 X 7.0 J
Front 8.5 x 20; rear 9.5 x 20
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electromechanical parking brake acting on the rear wheels
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Front Suspension
Macpherson strut
Double-wishbone pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam axle
Multi-link pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
CO2 Emissions
146 g/km
326 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Designed for 95 RON; minimum 91 RON
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Service Plan
3 Years/Unlimited km
4 years, unlimited kilometres
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Ownership Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Historical South African Dawn derivative launched locally in March 2016 and documented locally in 2018; the March 2022 global Dawn order-book closure is an outer bound, not proof of the exact South African withdrawal year, while production ended in 2023.
Price Zar
551600 ZAR
Not confirmed
Pricing Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Historical price on application
Starting Price
551600
Not confirmed
Starting Price Zar
551600
Not confirmed
Spec
CX-3
Dawn
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
4 years, unlimited kilometres
In depth: how these cars differ
This CX-3 and Dawn 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: CX-3 47 vs Dawn 97.
Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs Dawn 31.
Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs Dawn 90.
Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs Dawn 52.
Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs Dawn 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
CX-3 and Dawn 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
Dawn leads by 10 points
Dawn has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.
Performance
Dawn +50
Efficiency
CX-3 +30
Safety
Dawn +6
Practicality
Dawn +4
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Dawn
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
52/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRolls-Royce Dawn
leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Dawn 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 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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