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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CX-3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
NX
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
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
CX-3
NX
Model Introduced Year
2015
2023
Generation
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Second-generation Lexus NX mid-size luxury SUV
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.
Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Launched Since
2015
Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
published
Segment
Compact crossover
Luxury SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1270 kg
1760-1860 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
CX-3
NX
Length
4275 mm
4660 mm
Width
1765 mm
1865 mm
Height
1542 mm
1670 mm
Wheelbase
2570 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
195 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
520 l
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
-
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1735 kg
2370 kg
Payload Capacity
465 kg
-
Towing Capacity
850 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
5.8 m
Front Legroom
1058 mm
-
Rear Legroom
888 mm
-
Spec
CX-3
NX
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Automatic
Auto Dual zone
Power Windows
Front & Rear
All/ All One Touch
Keyless Entry
Smart
Standard Smart Entry
Push Button Start
Standard
Push Start
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Tilt & Slide,Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Standard Power and Handsfree
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
1140 l
-
AC Type
Automatic
Auto Dual zone
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Heads Up Display
-
Standard
Air Conditioning
Automatic
Auto Dual zone
Spec
CX-3
NX
Engine
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
2.4-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
2400 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Petrol SFI + D-4ST
Compression Ratio
13.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
83.5 mm
87.5 mm
Stroke
91.2 mm
99.5 mm
Maximum Power
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
205 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
430 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
AWD
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
197 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
7.0 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Sport
Standard Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport S+
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
90.6 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
162.2 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
CX-3
NX
Gearbox
6-Speed Auto
Automatic 8-speed
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
AWD
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
-
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
4.325
-
Number of Gears
6
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic 8-speed
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Permanent all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic 8-speed
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
AWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
8
Spec
CX-3
NX
Claimed Mileage
15.9 km/l
12.3 km/l
City Mileage
12.8 km/l
9.9 km/l
Highway Mileage
18.7 km/l
14.5 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
55 l
Emission Standard
Euro stage IV
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
48
55
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
CX-3
NX
Airbags
6
Side,Curtain,Driver,Passenger,Driver Knee
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard 2
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front & Rear
Front + Rear/ Buzzer + Light
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
AEB
Not Available
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
-
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
ELR,Pretensioner,Force Limiter,Tension Reducer -
Seatbelt Reminder
Front & Rear
Front + Rear/ Buzzer + Light
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
-
Standard,,
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard
Alarm System
-
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
TCS
-
Standard,,
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Spec
CX-3
NX
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
-
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Rear View Camera
Standard
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
-
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Auto,Rainsensing
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Reverse Camera
Standard
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Forward Collision Warning
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
NX
Seat Material
Black Leather
F SPORT
Heated Seats
Not Available
Standard Driver and Passenger only
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Standard Front only
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
-
Front Shoulder Room
1360 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1281 mm
-
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
3 Spoke/ F SPORT
60 40 Split Seat
(60:40)
60:40 -
Driver Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
Seat Trim
Black Leather
F SPORT
Seat Adjustment
-
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
Folding Rear Seats
-
60:40 -
Rear Armrest
-
Standard
Cup Holders
-
Standard 4
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Standard TFT
Driver Lumbar Support
-
Driver 2-way,Power
Spec
CX-3
NX
Infotainment System
Standard
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
7
Standard 17
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Available
Standard TFT
USB Ports
2
Standard 5PCs
Infotainment Screen
8-Inch
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Touchscreen
8-Inch
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Navigation System
-
Standard/ EMV
Infotainment Screen Size
8-Inch
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Audio Speakers
7
Standard 17
Audio System
-
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
-
Standard 5PCs
Connected Services
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
NX
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard LED
Alloy Wheel Design
Black Metallic + Machining
-
Exterior Colour Options
Aero Grey, Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black, Machine Grey, Polymetal Grey, Platinum Quartz and Soul Red Crystal are listed, with Carbon availability limited to selected finishes.
White Nova, Sonic Titanium, Solar Storm Red, Poseidon Blue, Graphite Black GF, Terrane Khaki, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Copper
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Tilt & Slide,Panoramic
Fog Lamps
-
Standard LED
Roof Rails
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
NX
Departure Angle
25.7 deg
25.0 deg
Terrain Modes
Sport
Standard
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Permanent all-wheel drive
Ground Clearance Max
155 mm
195 mm
Ground Clearance Min
155 mm
195 mm
Approach Angle
-
15.0 deg
Approach Angle Deg
-
15.0 deg
Departure Angle Deg
-
25.0 deg
Spec
CX-3
NX
Tyre Size
215/50R18
F:235-50RF R20 / R:235-50RF R20
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Ventilated Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
-
Wheel Rim Size
18 X 7.0 J
20
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electric
Spec
CX-3
NX
Front Suspension
Macpherson strut
MacPherson -
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam axle
Double Wishbone -
Front Track Width
-
1605 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1625 mm
Spec
CX-3
NX
CO2 Emissions
146 g/km
185 g/km
Spec
CX-3
NX
Service Plan
3 Years/Unlimited km
-
Service Interval
-
12 months / 15,000km
Spec
CX-3
NX
Ownership Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Private luxury, family and business
Price Zar
551600 ZAR
1276500 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Flagship
Starting Price
551600
1276500
Starting Price Zar
551600
1276500
Spec
CX-3
NX
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
7 years / 105,000km
In depth: how these cars differ
This CX-3 and NX 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 NX 86.
Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs NX 49.
Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs NX 93.
Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs NX 65.
Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs NX 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.
Model imagery
CX-3 and NX image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
NX leads by 15 points
NX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over CX-3.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
NX
Performance
86/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
65/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLexus NX
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, NX 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.
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.
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