Mazda CX-3 vs Hyundai Staria Panelvan

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
Hyundai Staria Panelvan in South Africa

Hyundai Staria Panelvan

2.2D Panel Van 8AT Diesel Current
ZAR 699,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 130 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 11.5 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Hyundai Staria Panelvan: the short answer

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

CX-3 starts ZAR 259,900 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · Staria Panelvan from ZAR 699,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 Staria Panelvan
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm Staria Panelvan130 kW
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm Staria Panelvan430 Nm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc Staria Panelvan2199 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l Staria Panelvan11.5 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm Staria Panelvan186 mm

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

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

Staria Panelvan

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

Staria Panelvan

  • 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 Staria Panelvan
Model Introduced Year 2015 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Current South African Staria Panelvan 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 Panel van
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact crossover Van
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 1990+ kg
Vehicle Type SUV Van
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Base grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec CX-3 Staria Panelvan
Length 4275 mm 5253 mm
Width 1765 mm 1997 mm
Height 1542 mm 1990 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 3273 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 186 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 75 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l 4935 l
Kerb Weight 1270 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 465 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 850 kg 2500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 3 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1058 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 888 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and Staria Panelvan 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 Staria Panelvan 67.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs Staria Panelvan 51.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs Staria Panelvan 89.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs Staria Panelvan 72.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs Staria Panelvan 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

Staria Panelvan leads by 10 points

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

Evidence leader 70 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 71% source coverage
70
#1 Evidence leader

Staria Panelvan

71% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 89 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 67
Efficiency 51
Safety 89
Practicality 72
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 Staria Panelvan +20 Efficiency CX-3 +10 Safety Staria Panelvan +5 Practicality Staria Panelvan +24

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Staria Panelvan

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 89/100
Practicality 72/100
Ownership 65/100

CX-3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai Staria Panelvan leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts vs 60 pts for CX-3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Staria Panelvan 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.

CX-3
CX-3
VS
T2
T2
CX-3 vs T2 →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
CX-5
CX-5
CX-3 vs CX-5 →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Tucson
Tucson
CX-3 vs Tucson →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
Caddy
Caddy
CX-3 vs Caddy →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
G10+ Van
G10+ Van
CX-3 vs G10+ Van →
CX-3
CX-3
VS
EX-8 Chassis Cab
EX-8 Chassis Cab
CX-3 vs EX-8 Chassis Cab →
Staria Panelvan
Staria Panelvan
VS
T2
T2
Staria Panelvan vs T2 →
Staria Panelvan
Staria Panelvan
VS
CX-5
CX-5
Staria Panelvan vs CX-5 →

CX-3 vs Staria Panelvan 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.