Mazda CX-3 vs BYD DOLPHIN SURF

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.

Mazda CX-3 in South Africa

Mazda CX-3

2.0 Individual Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 551,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW 🔧 206 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
VS
BYD DOLPHIN SURF in South Africa

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 395,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 55 kW 🔧 135 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs BYD DOLPHIN SURF: the short answer

CX-3 and DOLPHIN SURF are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

DOLPHIN SURF starts ZAR 98,100 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · DOLPHIN SURF from ZAR 341,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 DOLPHIN SURF
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm DOLPHIN SURF55 kW
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm DOLPHIN SURF135 Nm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l DOLPHIN SURFNot Applicable
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm DOLPHIN SURF155 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 rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

Dynamic EV

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance
Specification evidence leader

DOLPHIN SURF

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

DOLPHIN SURF

  • 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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-3 DOLPHIN SURF
Model Introduced Year 2015 2025
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 First South African DOLPHIN SURF generation
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. No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since 2015 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Hatchback
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Compact crossover City Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec CX-3 DOLPHIN SURF
Length 4275 mm 3925 mm
Width 1765 mm 1720 mm
Height 1542 mm 1590 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2500 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 155 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 230 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1280 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg 1690 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg 410 kg
Towing Capacity 850 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 4.95 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom 888 mm 690 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 120 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 980 mm
Rear Headroom - 920 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and DOLPHIN SURF 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 DOLPHIN SURF 25.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs DOLPHIN SURF 90.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs DOLPHIN SURF 87.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs DOLPHIN SURF 51.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs DOLPHIN SURF 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

DOLPHIN SURF leads by 1 points

CX-3 and DOLPHIN SURF are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 61 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 60% source coverage
61
#1 Evidence leader

DOLPHIN SURF

60% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 90 Check Performance 25
Performance 25
Efficiency 90
Safety 87
Practicality 51
Leads by 1 points
60
#2

CX-3

71% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 61
Safety 84
Practicality 48
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-3 +22 Efficiency DOLPHIN SURF +29 Safety DOLPHIN SURF +3 Practicality DOLPHIN SURF +3

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

DOLPHIN SURF

Performance 25/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 51/100

CX-3

Performance 47/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 48/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD DOLPHIN SURF leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, DOLPHIN SURF 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.

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CX-3 vs DOLPHIN SURF questions

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.