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
Renault Duster vs Mazda Mazda3: the short answer
Duster and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Duster starts ZAR 8,301 cheaperDuster from ZAR 489,999 · Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Duster
Mazda3
Maximum Power
Duster96 kW
Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Duster230 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size
Duster1200 cc
Mazda31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Duster17.5 km/l
Mazda315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
Duster217 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.
Renault Duster
1.2 Turbo Zen 4WD Mild Hybrid
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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)
Specification evidence leader
Duster
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Mazda3
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
Duster
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Mazda3
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Model Introduced Year
2026
2019
Generation
Current South Africa Duster range
Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
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
2026
2019
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
SUV
C-segment hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
1451 kg
1350 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
Hatchback
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Length
4343 mm
4460 mm
Width
2095 mm
1795 mm
Height
1661 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
2658 mm
2725 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
217 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
217 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
594 l
295 l
Kerb Weight
1451 kg
1350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1950 kg
1870 kg
Payload Capacity
499 kg
520 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.35 m
5.3 m
Front Headroom
1007 mm
-
Rear Headroom
974 mm
-
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1075 mm
Rear Legroom
892 mm
891 mm
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Front Track Width
Not Available
-
Rear Track Width
Not Available
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Torsion beam axle
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Manual / automatic by trim
Dual-zone climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Front
Keyless Entry
Standard
Smart
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
594 l
687 l
AC Type
Manual / automatic by trim
Dual-zone climate control
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Engine
1.2-litre Turbocharged Petrol Mild Hybrid
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1200 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
Petrol injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
13.0:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
83.5 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
96 kW
121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
230 Nm @ 2000 rpm
213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Combined Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Drive Type
4WD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
89.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
157.8 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
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 Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Gearbox
Manual
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
3.850
Number of Gears
Not Available
6
Transmission Type
Manual
Automatic
Clutch Type
Manual clutch
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
-
Gear Shift Type
Manual
Automatic
Drivetrain
4WD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Available
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
Not Applicable
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Manual
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4WD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not Available
6
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Claimed Mileage
17.5 km/l
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
14.1 km/l
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
20.3 km/l
18.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Standard
Real-world Mileage
17.5 km/l
15.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
50
51
Combined Driving Range
Not Available
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Available
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Available
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Available
Not Applicable
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Airbags
Front airbags
7
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
-
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
-
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
-
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front & Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
-
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
-
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
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
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
-
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
-
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Seat Material
Fabric or cloth trim
Black Leather
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
1414 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
1356 mm
Steering Wheel Material
Polyurethane / synthetic
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
(60:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Seat Trim
Fabric
Black Leather
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Wireless
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4-6
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
Not Available
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
2
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
10-Inch
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
10-Inch
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Not Available
-
Roof Rails
Standard
-
Exterior Colour Options
Official Renault South Africa colours vary by model and dealer stock.
Mazda South Africa offers model-specific solid, metallic and premium paint finishes subject to current edition availability.
Headlights
Not Available
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Approach Angle
Not Available
-
Departure Angle
Not Available
-
Wading Depth
Not Available
-
Terrain Modes
Standard
Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
AWD / 4WD as listed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
217 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance Min
217 mm
140 mm
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Tyre Size
Not Available
215/45 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Temporary spare T125/70 D16
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
18x7J
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
CO2 Emissions
129 g/km
146 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Service Plan
2 year / 30 000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Ownership Role
range-specific
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
549999 ZAR
629700 ZAR
Pricing Role
range-specific
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
549999
629700
Starting Price Zar
549999
629700
Spec
Duster
Mazda3
Warranty
5 Year / 150 000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Duster 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: Duster 50 vs Mazda3 50.
Efficiency index: Duster 72 vs Mazda3 61.
Safety-equipment index: Duster 91 vs Mazda3 96.
Practicality index: Duster 71 vs Mazda3 50.
Ownership-cover index: Duster 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
Duster 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
Duster leads by 6 points
Duster 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
Duster
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
72/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
71/100
Mazda3
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
96/100
Practicality
50/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRenault Duster
leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts
vs 64 pts for Mazda3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Duster leads. However, Mazda3 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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