Mazda CX-3 vs Hyundai EXTER

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
Hyundai EXTER in South Africa

Hyundai EXTER

1.2 Elite AMT Two Tone Petrol Current
ZAR 334,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 5 kW 🔧 114 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Hyundai EXTER: the short answer

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

EXTER starts ZAR 170,100 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · EXTER from ZAR 269,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 EXTER
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm EXTER5 kW
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm EXTER114 Nm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc EXTER1197 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l EXTER16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm EXTER185 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

CX-3

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

EXTER

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • 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

EXTER

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-3 EXTER
Model Introduced Year 2015 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Current South African EXTER 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 Compact SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Compact crossover SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 999 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec CX-3 EXTER
Length 4275 mm 3815 mm
Width 1765 mm 1710 mm
Height 1542 mm 1631 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2450 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 185 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 37 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 391 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 999 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg -
Payload Capacity 465 kg -
Towing Capacity 850 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m -
Front Legroom 1058 mm -
Rear Legroom 888 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and EXTER 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 EXTER 19.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs EXTER 66.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs EXTER 84.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs EXTER 65.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs EXTER 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

CX-3 leads by 2 points

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

Evidence leader 60 /100
Lead 2 points
Data 71% source coverage
60
#1 Evidence leader

CX-3

71% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 61
Safety 84
Practicality 48
Leads by 2 points
58
#2

EXTER

77% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 19
Performance 19
Efficiency 66
Safety 84
Practicality 65
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-3 +28 Efficiency EXTER +5 Safety Level Practicality EXTER +17

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

CX-3

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

EXTER

Performance 19/100
Efficiency 66/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 65/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda CX-3 leads the specification evidence index with 60 pts vs 58 pts for EXTER

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CX-3 leads. However, EXTER 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 African models and comparable body styles.

CX-3
CX-3
VS
Grand Vitara
Grand Vitara
CX-3 vs Grand Vitara →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Curvv
Curvv
CX-3 vs Curvv →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Across
Across
CX-3 vs Across →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
ORA 5
ORA 5
CX-3 vs ORA 5 →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Elevate
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CX-3 vs Elevate →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Coolray
Coolray
CX-3 vs Coolray →
EXTER
EXTER
VS
Grand Vitara
Grand Vitara
EXTER vs Grand Vitara →
EXTER
EXTER
VS
Curvv
Curvv
EXTER vs Curvv →

CX-3 vs EXTER 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.