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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CX-3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
XUV700
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
XUV700
Model Introduced Year
2015
Not Available
Generation
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Current local listing
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.
Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since
2015
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
Current
Production Status
Active
Active
Segment
Compact crossover
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1270 kg
2040 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Length
4275 mm
4695 mm
Width
1765 mm
1890 mm
Height
1542 mm
1755 mm
Wheelbase
2570 mm
2750 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
200 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
60 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
240 l
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
2040 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1735 kg
-
Payload Capacity
465 kg
-
Towing Capacity
850 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Doors
5 doors
-
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
-
Front Legroom
1058 mm
-
Rear Legroom
888 mm
-
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Automatic
Dual-zone fully automatic climate control
Power Windows
Front & Rear
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Smart
Passive keyless entry
Push Button Start
Standard
Push button start
Wireless Charging
Standard
Wireless front charger
Sunroof
Standard
Skyroof
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Boot Space Seats Folded
1140 l
Not Applicable
AC Type
Automatic
Dual-zone fully automatic climate control
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Engine
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
2-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
1997 cc
Cylinders
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
13.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
83.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
91.2 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
149 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
380 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
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
197 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Sport
ZIP, ZAP, ZOOM, CUSTOM
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
90.6 kW/tonne
73 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
162.2 Nm/tonne
186.3 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
XUV700
Gearbox
6-Speed Auto
Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
4.325
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
6
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
6-speed automatic
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
FWD
Not Applicable
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
6-speed automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Not Applicable
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
6
LSD Available
-
Not Applicable
Clutch Type
-
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Not Applicable
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Claimed Mileage
15.9 km/l
13 km/l
City Mileage
12.8 km/l
10.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
18.7 km/l
15.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
60 l
Emission Standard
Euro stage IV
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
48
60
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
Real-world Mileage
15.9 km/l
13 km/l
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Airbags
6
7
ABS
Standard
Not Available
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Latest Gen Electronic Stability Programme
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front & Rear
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Hill Hold
Not Available
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Front & Rear
Not Available
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Latest Gen Electronic Stability Programme
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Driver knee airbag
ABS EBD
Standard
Not Available
Traction Control
-
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
-
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Not Available
Brake Override System
-
Not Available
TCS
-
Not Available
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Blind view monitoring
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Standard
Reverse camera and park assist
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
360-degree camera view
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Driver drowsiness detection
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Standard
Reverse camera and park assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
360-degree camera view
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Blind view monitoring
Park Assist
-
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
-
Not Available
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Seat Material
Black Leather
Leatherette
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Applicable
Front Shoulder Room
1360 mm
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
1281 mm
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
(60:40)
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
6-way powered driver seat with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
6-way powered driver seat with memory
Seat Trim
Black Leather
Leatherette
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Infotainment System
Standard
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
7
12-speaker Sony 3D sound system
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Available
Not Applicable
USB Ports
2
Not Available
Infotainment Screen
8-Inch
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Touchscreen
8-Inch
26.03-inch dual HD superscreen
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
-
Standard
Audio Controls On Steering
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
LED Headlamps
Standard
Clear-view LED headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Not Available
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.
See OEM source page for colour availability.
Headlights
Standard
Clear-view LED headlamps
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Skyroof
Fog Lamps
-
Not Available
Roof Rails
-
Not Available
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Departure Angle
25.7 deg
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Sport
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max
155 mm
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Min
155 mm
Not Applicable
Approach Angle
-
Not Available
Wading Depth
-
Not Available
Breakover Angle
-
Not Available
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Tyre Size
215/50R18
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
18 X 7.0 J
R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic park brake
Parking Brake Type
-
Electronic park brake
Electric Park Brake
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Front Suspension
Macpherson strut
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam axle
Not Available
Front Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
-
Not Applicable
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
CO2 Emissions
146 g/km
Not Applicable
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Service Plan
3 Years/Unlimited km
5 years / 100 000 km
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Ownership Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
South Africa market model
Price Zar
551600 ZAR
627899 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
flagship
Starting Price
551600
495199
Starting Price Zar
551600
495199
Spec
CX-3
XUV700
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
5 years / 150 000 km
Basic Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
5 years / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This CX-3 and XUV700 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 XUV700 66.
Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs XUV700 53.
Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs XUV700 94.
Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs XUV700 67.
Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs XUV700 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.
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
XUV700 leads by 11 points
XUV700 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while CX-3 remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
XUV700
Performance
66/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
67/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMahindra XUV700
leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, XUV700 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 African models and comparable body styles.
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.
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