Mazda CX-3 vs GWM H6 PHEV

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
GWM H6 PHEV in South Africa

GWM H6 PHEV

1.5T Ultra Luxury Hi-4 4WD PHEV DHT Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 749,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 268 kW 🔧 760 Nm ⛽ 90.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance H6 PHEV
Fuel Economy H6 PHEV
🛡 Safety CX-3
📦 Practicality H6 PHEV
🔑 Ownership H6 PHEV
CX-3 starts ZAR 259,900 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · H6 PHEV from ZAR 699,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec CX-3 H6 PHEV
Maximum Power 115 kW @ 6000 rpm 268 kW
Maximum Torque 206 Nm @ 2800 rpm 760 Nm
Engine Size 1998 cc 1500 cc
Claimed Mileage 15.9 km/l 90.9 km/l
Ground Clearance 155 mm 170 mm
Boot / Load Bay 230 l 560 l
Airbags 6 Front double, front side and side curtain airbags
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1980 kg
Seating Capacity - -
Warranty 5 Years/Unlimited km 7 years / 200 000 km

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

H6 PHEV holds a noticeable edge over CX-3, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance H6 PHEV +51 pts
Efficiency H6 PHEV +35 pts
Safety CX-3 +23 pts
Practicality H6 PHEV +20 pts
Ownership H6 PHEV +18 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-3

Strengths
  • Stronger safety package
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: General Use
🏆 Overall Winner

H6 PHEV

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less comprehensive safety features
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

H6 PHEV

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • 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 H6 PHEV
Model Introduced Year 2015 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Current South African H6 PHEV 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 SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment Compact crossover SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 1946 kg
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
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5T Ultra Luxury Hi-4 4WD PHEV DHT
Spec CX-3 H6 PHEV
Drivetrain Layout Front-engine, front-wheel drive 4WD / AWD
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Standard Not Applicable
Gearbox 6-Speed Auto Automatic
Final Drive Ratio 4.325 Not Applicable
Number of Gears 6 Not Applicable
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic
Drivetrain FWD 4x2
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Available
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Available
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Gearbox Type Automatic Automatic
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Axle Layout 4x2 Two-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds 6 Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type Automatic Automatic
LSD Available - Not Applicable
Clutch Type - Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator - Yes
Drive Mode Selector - 4WD/off-road drive mode support

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

H6 PHEV leads by 20 points

H6 PHEV holds a noticeable edge over CX-3, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 73 /100
Lead 20 points
Data 79% confidence
73
#1 Winner

H6 PHEV

79% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 98 Check Safety 38
Performance 98
Efficiency 96
Safety 38
Practicality 68
Ownership 65
Leads by 20 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 H6 PHEV +51 Efficiency H6 PHEV +35 Safety CX-3 +23 Practicality H6 PHEV +20 Ownership H6 PHEV +18

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

H6 PHEV

Performance 98/100
Efficiency 96/100
Safety 38/100
Practicality 68/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-3

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

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 GWM H6 PHEV wins with 73 pts vs 53 pts for CX-3

In structured scoring, H6 PHEV 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.

Buyers Also Looked At These

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

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the H6 PHEV 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 H6 PHEV 96. 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, H6 PHEV 38. 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, H6 PHEV 65. 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, H6 PHEV 68. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: CX-3 47, H6 PHEV 98. 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 H6 PHEV edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The H6 PHEV 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 H6 PHEV in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: CX-3 scores 47 vs 98.

Efficiency: CX-3 scores 61 vs 96.

Safety: CX-3 scores 61 vs 38.

Practicality: CX-3 scores 48 vs 68.

Ownership: CX-3 scores 47 vs 65.

Final structured scoring gives H6 PHEV the advantage in this comparison.