Mazda CX-3 vs Suzuki Grand Vitara

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 Automatic
ZAR 551,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW 🔧 206 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
VS
Suzuki Grand Vitara in South Africa

Suzuki Grand Vitara

1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT Hybrid Automatic
ZAR 542,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 76 kW 🔧 137 Nm ⛽ 17.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance CX-3
⛽ Fuel Economy Grand Vitara
🛡 Safety Grand Vitara
📦 Practicality Grand Vitara
🔑 Ownership Grand Vitara
Grand Vitara starts ZAR 440000 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · Grand Vitara from ZAR 359,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec CX-3 Grand Vitara
Engine Power 115 kW 76 kW
Torque 206 Nm 137 Nm
Engine Size 1998 cc 1462 cc
Claimed Mileage 15.9 km/l 17.9 km/l
Ground Clearance 155 mm 210 mm
Boot / Load Bay 230 l 310 l
Airbags 6 6
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1225 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 5

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Grand Vitara has a slight advantage, but CX-3 remains highly competitive.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance CX-3 +13 pts
Efficiency Grand Vitara +12 pts
Safety Grand Vitara +21 pts
Practicality Grand Vitara +14 pts
Ownership Grand Vitara +24 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-3

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Highway Driving
🏆 Overall Winner

Grand Vitara

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power

Grand Vitara

  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-3 Grand Vitara
Model Introduced Year 2015 2022
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Third generation YHB-series Grand Vitara; shared platform with Toyota Urban Cruiser (a partnership-specific platform development); mild-hybrid system uses belt-integrated starter generator technology; all-new design and powertrain versus the previous 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. Third-generation Grand Vitara launched in SA in 2022; previous second-generation model discontinued in SA in 2015; current generation is a complete redesign on a new platform shared with the Toyota Urban Cruiser
Facelift Launched Since 2015 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Compact crossover SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Pearl Arctic White, Metallic Grandeur Grey, Metallic Midnight Blue, Premium Silver, Pearl Burning Red
Spec CX-3 Grand Vitara
Ground Clearance 155 mm 210 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2600 mm
Length 4275 mm 4345 mm
Width 1765 mm 1795 mm
Height 1542 mm 1645 mm
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1225 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 1735 kg 1680 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 230 l 310 l
Towing Capacity 850 kg 0 kg
Turning Radius 5.7 m 5.4 m
Load Bed Length 230 l 310 l
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom 888 mm 935 mm
Front Shoulder Room 1360 mm 1455 mm
Rear Shoulder Room 1281 mm 1430 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1140 l 708 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 465 kg 530 kg
Boot Volume 230 l 310 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 5
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 45 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 1735 kg 1680 kg
Ground Clearance Max 155 mm 210 mm
Ground Clearance Min 155 mm 210 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 155 mm 210 mm
Height Mm 1542 mm 1645 mm
Length Mm 4275 mm 4345 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 230 l 310 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 465 kg 530 kg
Cargo Volume 230 l 310 l
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 1225 kg
Turning Circle 5.7 m 5.4 m
Turning Circle M 5.7 m 5.4 m
Width Mm 1765 mm 1795 mm
Front Track Width - 1565 mm
Rear Track Width - 1565 mm
Front Headroom - 1010 mm
Rear Headroom - 970 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1140 l 708 l

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Grand Vitara leads by 10 points

Grand Vitara has a slight advantage, but CX-3 remains highly competitive.

Winner 63 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 94% confidence
63
#1 Winner

Grand Vitara

94% data confidence 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 82 Check Performance 34
Performance 34
Efficiency 73
Safety 82
Practicality 62
Ownership 71
Leads by 10 points
53
#2

CX-3

90% data confidence 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 61 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 61
Safety 61
Practicality 48
Ownership 47
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-3 +13 Efficiency Grand Vitara +12 Safety Grand Vitara +21 Practicality Grand Vitara +14 Ownership Grand Vitara +24

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Grand Vitara

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 73/100
Safety 82/100
Practicality 62/100
Ownership 71/100

CX-3

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

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Suzuki Grand Vitara wins with 63 pts vs 53 pts for CX-3

In structured scoring, Grand Vitara emerges as the stronger overall package. However, CX-3 may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.

CX-3
CX-3
VS
T-Cross
T-Cross
CX-3 vs T-Cross →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Jolion Pro
Jolion Pro
CX-3 vs Jolion Pro →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Jolion
Jolion
CX-3 vs Jolion →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Seltos
Seltos
CX-3 vs Seltos →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tiggo 7 Pro
Tiggo 7 Pro
CX-3 vs Tiggo 7 Pro →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Corolla Cross
Corolla Cross
CX-3 vs Corolla Cross →
Grand Vitara
Grand Vitara
VS
T-Cross
T-Cross
Grand Vitara vs T-Cross →
Grand Vitara
Grand Vitara
VS
Jolion Pro
Jolion Pro
Grand Vitara vs Jolion Pro →

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tiggo 4 Cross
Tiggo 4 Cross
CX-3 vs Tiggo 4 Cross →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
Tiggo 4 Cross HEV
CX-3 vs Tiggo 4 Cross HEV →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tiggo 4 Pro
Tiggo 4 Pro
CX-3 vs Tiggo 4 Pro →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tiggo 7
Tiggo 7
CX-3 vs Tiggo 7 →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tiggo 7 PHEV
Tiggo 7 PHEV
CX-3 vs Tiggo 7 PHEV →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tiggo 7 Pro
Tiggo 7 Pro
CX-3 vs Tiggo 7 Pro →

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Grand Vitara edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: CX-3 61 vs Grand Vitara 73. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: CX-3 61, Grand Vitara 82. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: CX-3 47, Grand Vitara 71. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: CX-3 48, Grand Vitara 62. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-3 47, Grand Vitara 34. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Grand Vitara edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Grand Vitara scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between CX-3 and Grand Vitara in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-3 scores 47 vs 34.

Efficiency: CX-3 scores 61 vs 73.

Safety: CX-3 scores 61 vs 82.

Practicality: CX-3 scores 48 vs 62.

Ownership: CX-3 scores 47 vs 71.

Final structured scoring gives Grand Vitara the advantage in this comparison.