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.
CX-3 starts ZAR 69,900 cheaperCX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · SEALION 5 DM-i from ZAR 509,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Maximum Power
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
72 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
122 Nm @ 4000-4500 rpm
Engine Size
1998 cc
1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
15.9 km/l
19.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
155 mm
150 mm
Boot / Load Bay
230 l
463 l
Airbags
6
6
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
1735 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
CX-3 and SEALION 5 DM-i are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
CX-3
+8 pts
Efficiency
SEALION 5 DM-i
+20 pts
Safety
SEALION 5 DM-i
+8 pts
Practicality
SEALION 5 DM-i
+13 pts
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
Catalogue-index leader
SEALION 5 DM-i
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CX-3
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
SEALION 5 DM-i
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
SEALION 5 DM-i
Model Introduced Year
2015
2026
Generation
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
First South African SEALION 5 DM-i 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.
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2015
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
Active
Segment
Compact crossover
Medium SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1270 kg
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Length
4275 mm
4738 mm
Width
1765 mm
1860 mm
Height
1542 mm
1710 mm
Wheelbase
2570 mm
2712 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
52 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
463 l
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
1735 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1735 kg
2145 kg
Payload Capacity
465 kg
410 kg
Towing Capacity
850 kg
0 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
6.0 m
Front Legroom
1058 mm
1100 mm
Rear Legroom
888 mm
935 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
150 mm
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
970 mm
Rear Headroom
-
910 mm
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
Automatic
Power Windows
Front & Rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Smart
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
1140 l
-
AC Type
Automatic
Automatic
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Engine
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
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.
Atlantis Grey, Obsidian Black, Snow White, Time Grey
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
-
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Departure Angle
25.7 deg
22 deg
Terrain Modes
Sport
Snow
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max
155 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
155 mm
-
Approach Angle
-
18 deg
Wading Depth
-
363.6 mm
Breakover Angle
-
Not Available
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Tyre Size
215/50R18
225/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
18 X 7.0 J
18
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic parking brake
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Front Suspension
Macpherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam axle
Multi-link
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
CO2 Emissions
146 g/km
27 g/km
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Service Plan
3 Years/Unlimited km
4 years/60000 km service plan (4 scheduled services)
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Ownership Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
higher-equipment derivative
Price Zar
551600 ZAR
569900 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
higher-equipment derivative
Starting Price
551600
569900
Starting Price Zar
551600
569900
Spec
CX-3
SEALION 5 DM-i
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
Source-backed Catalogue Index
A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.
Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout
SEALION 5 DM-i leads by 7 points
CX-3 and SEALION 5 DM-i are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
SEALION 5 DM-i
Performance
39/100
Efficiency
81/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
61/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆BYD SEALION 5 DM-i
leads the catalogue index with 67 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, SEALION 5 DM-i leads. However, CX-3 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
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.
Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.
Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.
Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.
It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
This CX-3 and SEALION 5 DM-i 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 SEALION 5 DM-i 39.
Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs SEALION 5 DM-i 81.
Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs SEALION 5 DM-i 92.
Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs SEALION 5 DM-i 61.
Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs SEALION 5 DM-i 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.
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