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.
2.0 Astina Edition Auto FWDPetrol6-Speed AutomaticCurrent
ZAR 629,700ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW🔧 213 Nm⛽ 15.9 km/l
+Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
Mitsubishi Destinator vs Mazda Mazda3: the short answer
Destinator and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Destinator starts ZAR 8,310 cheaperDestinator from ZAR 489,990 · Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Destinator
Mazda3
Maximum Power
Destinator120 kW @ 5000 rpm
Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Destinator250 Nm @ 2500-4000 rpm
Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size
Destinator1499 cc
Mazda31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Destinator13.9 km/l
Mazda315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
Destinator214 mm
Mazda3140 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Mitsubishi Destinator
Exceed 1.5T CVT
Hagalu editorial rating
4.3/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Destinator
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
Mazda3
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Destinator
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Mazda3
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Model Introduced Year
2026
2019
Generation
First-generation Destinator
Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback
Facelift History
South African launch specification introduced in March 2026.
The seventh-generation South African hatchback launched in 2019 and the current range has since been consolidated to Dynamic and Astina editions.
Facelift Launched Since
Current specification
2019
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Medium seven-seat SUV
C-segment hatchback
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
-
1350 kg
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Length
4680 mm
4460 mm
Width
1840 mm
1795 mm
Height
1780 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2725 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
214 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
185 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
152 l
295 l
Kerb Weight
1500 kg
1350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2090 kg
1870 kg
Payload Capacity
590 kg
520 kg
Towing Capacity
0 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
7 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
3 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.4 m
5.3 m
Front Headroom
890 mm
-
Rear Headroom
850 mm
-
Front Legroom
1055 mm
1075 mm
Rear Legroom
620 mm
891 mm
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
4B40
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Dual Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
11.0:1
13.0:1
Bore
75 mm
83.5 mm
Stroke
84.8 mm
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
120 kW @ 5000 rpm
121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
250 Nm @ 2500-4000 rpm
213 Nm @ 4000 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
FWD
Transmission
CVT
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.4 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
17.6 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Normal, Wet, Gravel, Mud, Tarmac
Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
80 kW/tonne
89.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
166.7 Nm/tonne
157.8 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
Destinator
Mazda3
Gearbox
CVT
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
6.386
3.850
Number of Gears
1
6
Transmission Type
CVT automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Continuously variable pulley system
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
-
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
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
No
Standard
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Continuously variable
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
6
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Claimed Mileage
13.9 km/l
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
11.4 km/l
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
16 km/l
18.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No
Standard
Real-world Mileage
13.9 km/l
15.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
45
51
Combined Driving Range
625
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
647 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
581 km
Not Applicable
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Airbags
6
7
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
-
Hill Descent Control
No
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Yes
-
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
-
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Front & Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
AEB
No
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
-
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
-
Knee Airbag
No
Standard
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
No
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
No
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Yes
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
No
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
No
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Not Available
Park Assist
No
-
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
No
-
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Black Leather
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
(60:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power adjustable
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustable
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Black Leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
1414 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1356 mm
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Climate Control
Dual-zone automatic with nanoe X
Dual-zone climate control
Power Windows
Front and rear
Front
Keyless Entry
Yes
Smart
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
Yes
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Dual-zone automatic with nanoe X
Dual-zone climate control
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
687 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Infotainment System
Smartphone-link Display Audio
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
8
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
8-inch
Not Available
USB Ports
Front, second and third row
2
Infotainment Screen
12.3-inch
10-Inch
Touchscreen
12.3-inch
10-Inch
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
-
Roof Rails
Yes
-
Exterior Colour Options
Quartz White Pearl, Graphite Grey Metallic, Blade Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Lunar Blue Mica
Mazda South Africa offers model-specific solid, metallic and premium paint finishes subject to current edition availability.
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Approach Angle
21 deg
-
Departure Angle
25.5 deg
-
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
-
Terrain Modes
Normal, Wet, Gravel, Mud, Tarmac
Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
20.8 deg
-
Ground Clearance Max
-
140 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
140 mm
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Tyre Size
225/55 R18
215/45 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size alloy
Temporary spare T125/70 D16
Wheel Rim Size
18-inch alloy
18x7J
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Electronic
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion beam axle
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
CO2 Emissions
172 g/km
146 g/km
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Service Plan
5 years / 75,000 km; 15,000 km intervals
5 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Ownership Role
New vehicle sold through Mitsubishi Motors South Africa
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
569990 ZAR
629700 ZAR
Pricing Role
Official South African recommended retail price
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
569990
629700
Starting Price Zar
569990
629700
Spec
Destinator
Mazda3
Warranty
5 years / unlimited km
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Destinator and Mazda3 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: Destinator 50 vs Mazda3 50.
Efficiency index: Destinator 54 vs Mazda3 61.
Safety-equipment index: Destinator 73 vs Mazda3 96.
Practicality index: Destinator 63 vs Mazda3 50.
Ownership-cover index: Destinator not separately scored vs Mazda3 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
Destinator and Mazda3 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
Mazda3 leads by 4 points
Destinator and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Mazda3
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
96/100
Practicality
50/100
Destinator
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
73/100
Practicality
63/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMazda Mazda3
leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts
vs 60 pts for Destinator
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Mazda3 leads. However, Destinator 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.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.