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
X1
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
X1
Model Introduced Year
2015
2023
Generation
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Third-generation U11 BMW X1, sharing its architecture and cabin concept with the battery-electric iX1.
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.
U11 is the current South African X1 generation; no local facelift has been announced.
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
Premium SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1270 kg
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
Car
Spec
CX-3
X1
Length
4275 mm
4505 mm
Width
1765 mm
1845 mm
Height
1542 mm
1622 mm
Wheelbase
2570 mm
2692 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
54 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
540 l
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
1740 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1735 kg
2240 kg
Payload Capacity
465 kg
575 kg
Towing Capacity
850 kg
750 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
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
888 mm
925 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
170 mm
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
1001 mm
Rear Headroom
-
986 mm
Spec
CX-3
X1
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Front & Rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Smart
Yes
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Yes
Sunroof
Standard
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
Boot Space Seats Folded
1140 l
-
AC Type
Automatic
Automatic climate control
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
CX-3
X1
Engine
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
B48
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
13.0:1
10.5:1
Bore
83.5 mm
82.0 mm
Stroke
91.2 mm
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
233 kW
Maximum Torque
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
400 Nm @ 2000-4500 rpm
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
7-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
197 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
5.3 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Sport
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
7000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
90.6 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
162.2 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
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
X1
Gearbox
6-Speed Auto
7-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Yes
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Yes
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
4.325
Yes
Number of Gears
6
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
FWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Electronically controlled AWD
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Yes
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Yes
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Yes
Low Range
Not Applicable
Yes
Axle Layout
4x2
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Yes
Transmission Speeds
6
7
LSD Available
-
Yes
Clutch Type
-
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Yes
Spec
CX-3
X1
Claimed Mileage
15.9 km/l
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
12.8 km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
18.7 km/l
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
54 l
Emission Standard
Euro stage IV
Euro 6
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
54
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
420 km
Real-world Mileage
15.9 km/l
12.5 km/l
Spec
CX-3
X1
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front & Rear
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Yes
AEB
Not Available
Yes
BA
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Front & Rear
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
-
Standard
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Yes
TCS
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
X1
Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Yes
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Yes
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Yes
Park Assist
-
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
-
Yes
Spec
CX-3
X1
Seat Material
Black Leather
Leather/Sensatec
Heated Seats
Not Available
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Yes
Front Shoulder Room
1360 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1281 mm
-
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
(60:40)
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Electric multi-way
Passenger Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Black Leather
M Sport Seats
Spec
CX-3
X1
Infotainment System
Standard
Yes
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
7
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Available
12.3
USB Ports
2
2
Infotainment Screen
8-Inch
14.9
Touchscreen
8-Inch
14.9
Spec
CX-3
X1
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
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.
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Yes
Fog Lamps
-
Yes
Roof Rails
-
BMW Individual roof rails high-gloss Shadow Line
Spec
CX-3
X1
Departure Angle
25.7 deg
23 deg
Terrain Modes
Sport
Auto; Sport; Eco
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
All-wheel drive
Ground Clearance Max
155 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
155 mm
-
Approach Angle
-
25 deg
Wading Depth
-
500 mm
Breakover Angle
-
20 deg
Spec
CX-3
X1
Tyre Size
215/50R18
225/50 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
18 X 7.0 J
20" M light Alloy wheels with Y-spoke style 872 M
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
CX-3
X1
Front Suspension
Macpherson strut
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam axle
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
CX-3
X1
CO2 Emissions
146 g/km
185 g/km
Spec
CX-3
X1
Service Plan
3 Years/Unlimited km
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
CX-3
X1
Ownership Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
551600 ZAR
1182500 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
551600
1182500
Starting Price Zar
551600
1182500
Spec
CX-3
X1
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This CX-3 and X1 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 X1 90.
Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs X1 49.
Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs X1 92.
Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs X1 64.
Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs X1 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 X1 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
X1 leads by 16 points
X1 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
X1
Performance
90/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
64/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW X1
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X1 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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