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 6-Speed Automatic Current
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 Petrol Mild Hybrid 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 542,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 76 kW 🔧 137 Nm ⛽ 17.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Suzuki Grand Vitara: the short answer

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

Grand Vitara starts ZAR 80,100 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · Grand Vitara from ZAR 359,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 Grand Vitara
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm Grand Vitara76 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm Grand Vitara137 Nm @ 4400 rpm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc Grand Vitara1462 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l Grand Vitara17.9 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm Grand Vitara210 mm

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

Grand Vitara

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

Grand Vitara

  • 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 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
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 1225 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - Pearl Arctic White, Metallic Grandeur Grey, Metallic Midnight Blue, Premium Silver, Pearl Burning Red
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT
Spec CX-3 Grand Vitara
Length 4275 mm 4345 mm
Width 1765 mm 1795 mm
Height 1542 mm 1645 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2600 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 210 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 45 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 310 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1225 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg 1680 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg 530 kg
Towing Capacity 850 kg -
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 5.4 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom 888 mm 935 mm
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1010 mm
Rear Headroom - 970 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and Grand Vitara 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 Grand Vitara 34.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs Grand Vitara 73.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs Grand Vitara 88.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs Grand Vitara 62.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs Grand Vitara 71.

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

Grand Vitara leads by 4 points

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

Evidence leader 64 /100
Lead 4 points
Data 89% source coverage
64
#1 Evidence leader

Grand Vitara

89% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 34
Performance 34
Efficiency 73
Safety 88
Practicality 62
Ownership 71
Leads by 4 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 +13 Efficiency Grand Vitara +12 Safety Grand Vitara +4 Practicality Grand Vitara +14

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Grand Vitara

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 73/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 62/100
Ownership 71/100

CX-3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Suzuki Grand Vitara leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Grand Vitara leads. However, CX-3 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
T-Cross
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CX-3 vs T-Cross →
CX-3
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ZS Pro
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CX-3 vs ZS Pro →
CX-3
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Jolion Pro
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CX-3 vs Jolion Pro →
CX-3
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VS
Jolion
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CX-3 vs Jolion →
CX-3
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Seltos
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CX-3 vs Seltos →
CX-3
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VS
UNI-S
UNI-S
CX-3 vs UNI-S →
Grand Vitara
Grand Vitara
VS
T-Cross
T-Cross
Grand Vitara vs T-Cross →
Grand Vitara
Grand Vitara
VS
ZS Pro
ZS Pro
Grand Vitara vs ZS Pro →

CX-3 vs Grand Vitara 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.