Mazda CX-3 vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

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
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross in South Africa

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

1.5L GLS Exceed CVT 4x2 Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 620,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 13 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: the short answer

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

CX-3 starts ZAR 94,990 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · Eclipse Cross from ZAR 534,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 Eclipse Cross
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm Eclipse Cross110 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm Eclipse Cross250 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc Eclipse Cross1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l Eclipse Cross13 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm Eclipse Cross180 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-3

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

Eclipse Cross

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Eclipse Cross

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-3 Eclipse Cross
Model Introduced Year 2015 2021
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 First-generation Eclipse Cross facelift
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. Current South African facelift specification.
Facelift Launched Since 2015 Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact crossover Compact crossover SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec CX-3 Eclipse Cross
Length 4275 mm 4545 mm
Width 1765 mm 1805 mm
Height 1542 mm 1685 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2670 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 180 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 63 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 437 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1490 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg 2100 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg 610 kg
Towing Capacity 850 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 5.3 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1039 mm
Rear Legroom 888 mm 943 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 155 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1003 mm
Rear Headroom - 932 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and Eclipse Cross 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 Eclipse Cross 52.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs Eclipse Cross 51.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs Eclipse Cross 76.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs Eclipse Cross 64.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs Eclipse Cross 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

Eclipse Cross leads by 1 points

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

Evidence leader 61 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 83% source coverage
61
#1 Evidence leader

Eclipse Cross

83% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 76 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 52
Efficiency 51
Safety 76
Practicality 64
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 Eclipse Cross +5 Efficiency CX-3 +10 Safety CX-3 +8 Practicality Eclipse Cross +16

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Eclipse Cross

Performance 52/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 76/100
Practicality 64/100

CX-3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Eclipse Cross 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 Eclipse Cross 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.