Mazda CX-3 vs Geely E5 EM-i

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.

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
Geely E5 EM-i in South Africa

Geely E5 EM-i

Apex Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 679,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 125 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Geely E5 EM-i: the short answer

E5 EM-i has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.

CX-3 starts ZAR 159,999 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · E5 EM-i from ZAR 599,999

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 E5 EM-i
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm E5 EM-i73 kW
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm E5 EM-i125 Nm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc E5 EM-i1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

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

E5 EM-i

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

E5 EM-i

  • 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 E5 EM-i
Model Introduced Year 2015 2025
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published
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 applicable South African facelift history established
Facelift Launched Since 2015 Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact crossover Passenger vehicle
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec CX-3 E5 EM-i
Length 4275 mm 4740 mm
Width 1765 mm 1905 mm
Height 1542 mm 1685 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2755 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 528 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1770 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 465 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 850 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats Not Officially Disclosed
Doors 5 doors Not Officially Disclosed
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1058 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 888 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and E5 EM-i 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: CX-3 47 vs E5 EM-i 39.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs E5 EM-i 79.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs E5 EM-i 91.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs E5 EM-i 74.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs E5 EM-i 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

E5 EM-i leads by 10 points

E5 EM-i has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.

Evidence leader 70 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 51% source coverage
70
#1 Evidence leader

E5 EM-i

51% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 39
Performance 39
Efficiency 79
Safety 91
Practicality 74
Leads by 10 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 +8 Efficiency E5 EM-i +18 Safety E5 EM-i +7 Practicality E5 EM-i +26

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

E5 EM-i

Performance 39/100
Efficiency 79/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 74/100

CX-3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Geely E5 EM-i leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, E5 EM-i leads. However, CX-3 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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CX-3 vs E5 EM-i questions

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.