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.
ZS Pro starts ZAR 42,400 cheaperCX-3 from ZAR 440,000 · ZS Pro from ZAR 397,600
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Maximum Power
115 kW @ 6000 rpm
125 kW
Maximum Torque
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
275 Nm
Engine Size
1998 cc
1496 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
15.9 km/l
14.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
155 mm
161 mm
Boot / Load Bay
230 l
443 l
Airbags
6
6
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
1390 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
7 years / 200,000 km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
CX-3 and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
ZS Pro
+9 pts
Efficiency
CX-3
+3 pts
Safety
ZS Pro
+7 pts
Practicality
ZS Pro
+7 pts
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
Catalogue-index leader
ZS Pro
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
CX-3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
ZS Pro
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
ZS Pro
Model Introduced Year
2015
2025
Generation
Current first-generation DK-series Mazda CX-3
Current South African ZS Pro compact SUV with a 1.5-litre turbo engine, CVT and two-grade matrix.
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.
Launched locally in 2025 while the value-led ZS remained current.
Facelift Launched Since
2015
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2025
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Compact crossover
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1270 kg
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Length
4275 mm
4430 mm
Width
1765 mm
1818 mm
Height
1542 mm
1635 mm
Wheelbase
2570 mm
2610 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
155 mm
161 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
230 l
443 l
Kerb Weight
1270 kg
1390 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1735 kg
1840 kg
Payload Capacity
465 kg
450 kg
Towing Capacity
850 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1058 mm
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
888 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
875 mm
Rear Headroom
-
865 mm
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Front & Rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Smart
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Panoramic electric sunroof
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
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
ZS Pro
Engine
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
1.5-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
1496 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
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
Gasoline Direct Injection
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
125 kW
Maximum Torque
206 Nm @ 2800 rpm
275 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
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
CVT
Top Speed
197 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
8.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Sport
Normal, Eco, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
90.6 kW/tonne
89.93 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
162.2 Nm/tonne
197.84 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
ZS Pro
Gearbox
6-Speed Auto
CVT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
4.325
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
6
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
Front-wheel drive
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 Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Continuously Variable Transmission
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
Not Applicable
LSD Available
-
Not Available
Clutch Type
-
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Claimed Mileage
15.9 km/l
14.5 km/l
City Mileage
12.8 km/l
10.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
18.7 km/l
18.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
48 l
55 l
Emission Standard
Euro stage IV
EURO 5
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
55
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
14.5 km/l
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Standard
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
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front & Rear
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
-
Standard
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Not Officially Disclosed
TCS
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Standard
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Standard
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Standard
Park Assist
-
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Seat Material
Black Leather
PVC
Heated Seats
Not Available
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Standard
Front Shoulder Room
1360 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1281 mm
-
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
(60:40)
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Powered
Passenger Seat Adjustment
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Black Leather
PVC
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Infotainment System
Standard
12.3-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
7
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Available
Digital driver display
USB Ports
2
4
Infotainment Screen
8-Inch
12.3-inch
Touchscreen
8-Inch
12.3-inch
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
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.
Arctic White, Black Pearl, Monument Silver, Diamond Red, Como Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
-
Not Available
Roof Rails
-
Standard
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Departure Angle
25.7 deg
28.0 deg
Terrain Modes
Sport
Not Available
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
-
19.0 deg
Wading Depth
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Tyre Size
215/50R18
215/50R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary spare 185/60 R16
Non-full-size
Wheel Rim Size
18 X 7.0 J
18-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Front Suspension
Macpherson strut
MacPherson
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam axle
Torsion Beam
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
CO2 Emissions
146 g/km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Service Plan
3 Years/Unlimited km
5 years / 60,000 km
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Ownership Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
551600 ZAR
431500 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
551600
431500
Starting Price Zar
551600
431500
Spec
CX-3
ZS Pro
Warranty
5 Years/Unlimited km
7 years / 200,000 km
Source-backed Catalogue Index
A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.
Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout
ZS Pro leads by 5 points
CX-3 and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
ZS Pro +9
Efficiency
CX-3 +3
Safety
ZS Pro +7
Practicality
ZS Pro +7
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
ZS Pro
Performance
56/100
Efficiency
58/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
55/100
CX-3
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
48/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆Mg ZS Pro
leads the catalogue index with 65 pts
vs 60 pts for CX-3
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, ZS Pro 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 ZS Pro 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 ZS Pro 56.
Efficiency index: CX-3 61 vs ZS Pro 58.
Safety-equipment index: CX-3 84 vs ZS Pro 91.
Practicality index: CX-3 48 vs ZS Pro 55.
Ownership-cover index: CX-3 not separately scored vs ZS Pro 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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