Mazda CX-3 vs Suzuki Super Carry

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
Suzuki Super Carry in South Africa

Suzuki Super Carry

1.2 Flatdeck MT Petrol 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 209,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 59 kW 🔧 104 Nm ⛽ 13.7 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda CX-3 vs Suzuki Super Carry: the short answer

CX-3 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Super Carry.

Super Carry starts ZAR 242,100 cheaper CX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · Super Carry from ZAR 197,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification CX-3 Super Carry
Maximum Power CX-3115 kW @ 6000 rpm Super Carry59 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque CX-3206 Nm @ 2800 rpm Super Carry104 Nm @ 2900 rpm
Engine Size CX-31998 cc Super Carry1196 cc
Combined Fuel Economy CX-315.9 km/l Super Carry13.7 km/l
Ground Clearance CX-3155 mm Super Carry175 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

CX-3

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

Super Carry

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

CX-3

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Super Carry

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec CX-3 Super Carry
Model Introduced Year 2015 2019
Generation Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3 Current-generation Super Carry (F-series cab-over layout) — same fundamental design used across multiple African and Asian markets. GB14 1.2-litre petrol engine. RWD layout designed for commercial payload performance.
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. Super Carry introduced to South Africa in 2019; minor specification and colour updates in 2022 and 2024; current 2026 specification maintains core powertrain and payload unchanged with improved AC system and updated instrument cluster.
Facelift Launched Since 2015 2026
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Van
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact crossover Van
Tare Mass Kg 1270 kg 850 kg
Vehicle Type SUV Van
Color Note - White, Silver Metallic, Grey
Dealer Stock Note - Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec CX-3 Super Carry
Length 4275 mm 3800 mm
Width 1765 mm 1562 mm
Height 1542 mm 1730 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 2110 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 155 mm 175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 48 l 30 l
Boot/Cargo Space 230 l Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight 1270 kg 850 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1735 kg 1280 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg 390 kg
Towing Capacity 850 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.7 m 4.5 m
Front Legroom 1058 mm 930 mm
Rear Legroom 888 mm 750 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1020 mm
Rear Headroom - 1000 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This CX-3 and Super Carry 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 Super Carry 25.

Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs Super Carry 54.

Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs Super Carry 25.

Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs Super Carry 59.

Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs Super Carry 60.

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

CX-3 leads by 17 points

CX-3 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Super Carry.

Evidence leader 60 /100
Lead 17 points
Data 71% source coverage
60
#1 Evidence leader

CX-3

71% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 47
Performance 47
Efficiency 61
Safety 84
Practicality 48
Leads by 17 points
43
#2

Super Carry

79% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Ownership 60 Check Performance 25
Performance 25
Efficiency 54
Safety 25
Practicality 59
Ownership 60
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-3 +22 Efficiency CX-3 +7 Safety CX-3 +59 Practicality Super Carry +11

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

CX-3

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

Super Carry

Performance 25/100
Efficiency 54/100
Safety 25/100
Practicality 59/100
Ownership 60/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda CX-3 leads the specification evidence index with 60 pts vs 43 pts for Super Carry

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CX-3 leads. However, Super Carry may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

CX-3 vs Super Carry 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.