Mazda CX-3 vs GWM H6

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 in South Africa

GWM H6

1.5T Hybrid LX Hybrid Current
ZAR 729,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 115 kW 🔧 260 Nm ⛽ 17.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs GWM H6: the short answer

H6 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.

CX-3 starts ZAR 149,900 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · H6 from ZAR 589,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 H6
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm H6115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm H6260 Nm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc H61497 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l H617.2 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm H6198 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-3

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

H6

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix

H6

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • 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 H6
Model Introduced Year 2015 2022
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 H6 sold in South Africa is the third generation H6 under the Haval brand, launched globally in 2021 and adapted for SA in 2022. Suspension and powertrain calibration is tuned for South African road conditions and fuel quality.
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. H6 received a mid-cycle update in late 2024 that brought refined hybrid system calibration for South African altitude and fuel quality, an upgraded driver-assistance package across all variants, the 14.6-inch infotainment screen as standard on LT and LX (replacing the original 12.3-inch unit), and revised exterior detailing including new alloy wheel designs.
Facelift Launched Since 2015 2024
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 1680 kg
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Color Note - Crystal White, Hamilton Black, Pittsburgh Silver, Mars Red, Atlantic Blue and Cosmos Grey. Two-tone roof options on LT and LX with selected base colours.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec CX-3 H6
Length 4275 mm 4653 mm
Width 1765 mm 1886 mm
Height 1542 mm 1730 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2738 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 198 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 58 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 530 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 1680 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg 2200 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg -
Towing Capacity 850 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 11.8 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 888 mm 890 mm
Front Headroom - 990 mm
Rear Headroom - 960 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and H6 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 H6 51.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs H6 70.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs H6 93.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs H6 69.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs H6 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

H6 leads by 10 points

H6 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.

Evidence leader 70 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 96% source coverage
70
#1 Evidence leader

H6

96% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Performance 51
Performance 51
Efficiency 70
Safety 93
Practicality 69
Ownership 65
Leads by 10 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 H6 +4 Efficiency H6 +9 Safety H6 +9 Practicality H6 +21

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

H6

Performance 51/100
Efficiency 70/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 69/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index GWM H6 leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, H6 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 H6 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.