Mazda CX-3 vs Hyundai EX-8 Chassis Cab

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
Hyundai EX-8 Chassis Cab in South Africa

Hyundai EX-8 Chassis Cab

3.9D Chassis Cab 5MT Diesel Current
ZAR 581,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 103 kW 🔧 373 Nm ⛽ 5.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Hyundai EX-8 Chassis Cab: the short answer

CX-3 and EX-8 Chassis Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

CX-3 starts ZAR 141,900 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · EX-8 Chassis Cab from ZAR 581,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 EX-8 Chassis Cab
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm EX-8 Chassis Cab103 kW @ 2800 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm EX-8 Chassis Cab373 Nm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc EX-8 Chassis Cab3907 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l EX-8 Chassis Cab5.5 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm EX-8 Chassis Cab200 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
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

EX-8 Chassis Cab

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

EX-8 Chassis Cab

  • 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

Spec CX-3 EX-8 Chassis Cab
Model Introduced Year 2015 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Current South African EX-8 Chassis Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
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. Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since 2015 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Chassis cab
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact crossover Van
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 2650 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Van
Body Type Cab - Cab body
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec CX-3 EX-8 Chassis Cab
Length 4275 mm 6620 mm
Width 1765 mm 2100 mm
Height 1542 mm 2355 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 3850 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 200 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 100 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l Not Applicable
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 2650 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg 7800 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg 5150 kg
Towing Capacity 850 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 3 seats
Doors 5 doors 2 doors
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 - 2 rows
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and EX-8 Chassis Cab 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 EX-8 Chassis Cab 58.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs EX-8 Chassis Cab 32.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs EX-8 Chassis Cab 94.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs EX-8 Chassis Cab 67.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs EX-8 Chassis Cab 65.

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

EX-8 Chassis Cab leads by 5 points

CX-3 and EX-8 Chassis Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 5 points
Data 74% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

EX-8 Chassis Cab

74% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Efficiency 32
Performance 58
Efficiency 32
Safety 94
Practicality 67
Ownership 65
Leads by 5 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 EX-8 Chassis Cab +11 Efficiency CX-3 +29 Safety EX-8 Chassis Cab +10 Practicality EX-8 Chassis Cab +19

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

EX-8 Chassis Cab

Performance 58/100
Efficiency 32/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 67/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai EX-8 Chassis Cab leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, EX-8 Chassis Cab leads. However, CX-3 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

CX-3 vs EX-8 Chassis Cab 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.