Mazda CX-3 vs Nissan Navara Double Cab

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

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
Nissan Navara Double Cab in South Africa

Nissan Navara Double Cab

2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT Diesel Current
ZAR 785,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 140 kW 🔧 450 Nm ⛽ 13.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Nissan Navara Double Cab: the short answer

Navara Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-3.

CX-3 starts ZAR 53,000 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · Navara Double Cab from ZAR 493,000

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 Navara Double Cab
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm Navara Double Cab140 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm Navara Double Cab450 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc Navara Double Cab2488 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l Navara Double Cab13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm Navara Double Cab221 mm

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

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Mazda CX-3

2.0 Individual Auto FWD

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Nissan Navara Double Cab

2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

CX-3

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Navara Double Cab

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

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Navara Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • 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 Navara Double Cab
Model Introduced Year 2015 1997
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Current Navara generation focuses on improved comfort and stronger safety credentials
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. Updated in recent years with improved styling, safety upgrades, and suspension refinement
Facelift Launched Since 2015 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Double Cab
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Compact crossover Double-cab bakkie
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 2023 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Double Cab
Body Type Cab - Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note - White, Silver, Black, Grey, Red, Blue
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 2.5D LE Plus Double Cab 4x4 AT
Spec CX-3 Navara Double Cab
Length 4275 mm 5260 mm
Width 1765 mm 1850 mm
Height 1542 mm 1815 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 3150 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 221 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 80 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 1161 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 2023 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg 3115 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg 1003 kg
Towing Capacity 850 kg 3500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 6.7 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm -
Rear Legroom 888 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and Navara Double Cab comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. 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 Navara Double Cab 75.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs Navara Double Cab 58.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs Navara Double Cab 93.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs Navara Double Cab 90.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs Navara Double Cab not separately scored.

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

Navara Double Cab leads by 20 points

Navara Double Cab holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-3.

Evidence leader 80 /100
Lead 20 points
Data 65% source coverage
80
#1 Evidence leader

Navara Double Cab

65% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 58
Performance 75
Efficiency 58
Safety 93
Practicality 90
Leads by 20 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 Navara Double Cab +28 Efficiency CX-3 +3 Safety Navara Double Cab +9 Practicality Navara Double Cab +42

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Navara Double Cab

Performance 75/100
Efficiency 58/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 90/100

CX-3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Nissan Navara Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 80 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Navara Double Cab 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 Africa models and comparable body styles.

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Navara Double Cab vs C5 SHS →

CX-3 vs Navara Double Cab questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa 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.