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.
Grand Vitara and MG3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
MG3 starts ZAR 90,000 cheaperGrand Vitara from ZAR 359,900 · MG3 from ZAR 269,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Grand Vitara
MG3
Maximum Power
Grand Vitara77 kW
MG375 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Grand Vitara138 Nm
MG3128 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Engine Size
Grand Vitara1462 cc
MG31498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Grand Vitara16.1 km/l
MG323.26 km/l
Ground Clearance
Grand Vitara0 mm
MG3149 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.
Suzuki Grand Vitara
1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT
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)
Grand Vitara
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
MG3
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Grand Vitara
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
MG3
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
Grand Vitara
MG3
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
Current market generation
Current-generation five-door MG3 offered locally with naturally aspirated petrol and self-charging hybrid powertrains.
Facelift History
Current market specification
South African launch specification introduced in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
SUV
Compact Hatchback
Vehicle Type
SUV
Hatchback
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Length
4345 mm
4113 mm
Width
1795 mm
1797 mm
Height
1645 mm
1502 mm
Wheelbase
2600 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
149 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
36 l
Boot/Cargo Space
373 l
293 l
Kerb Weight
1210 kg
1308 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1720 kg
1766 kg
Payload Capacity
510 kg
458 kg
Towing Capacity
1000 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
5.25 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
950 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1050 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
900 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Hybrid
1.5-litre Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Code
K15B/K15C
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Self Charging Hybrid
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
1462 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Multi-point fuel injection
Multipoint Injection
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
73.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
85.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
77 kW
75 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
138 Nm
128 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Combined Power
77 kW
155 kW
Combined Torque
138 Nm
425 Nm
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
2
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Front
Drive Type
4WD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
3-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
170 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.5 sec
8.0 sec
Quarter Mile
16.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Eco, Standard, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
63.6 kW/tonne
118.50 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
114.0 Nm/tonne
324.92 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
0.2 kWh
1.83 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
12 V
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Yes
Yes
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
3-Speed Automatic hybrid transmission
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
4.3
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
4
3
Transmission Type
4-speed automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter / CVT
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Hybrid
Drivetrain
4WD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Selectable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Transfer selector
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
4-speed automatic
Hybrid transmission
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front and rear driven axles
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
4
3
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Claimed Mileage
16.1 km/l
23.26 km/l
City Mileage
16.0 km/l
27.03 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.0 km/l
20.41 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
36 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6 equivalent
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Real-world Mileage
16.1 km/l
23.26 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
45
36
Combined Driving Range
700
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
650 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
600 km
Not Applicable
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Not Applicable
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
No
Not Available
ABS EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Applicable
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Not Applicable
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Applicable
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
PVC + Fabric
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
No
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
PU
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
PVC + Fabric
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Single-zone air conditioning
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Not Available
Sunroof
No
Standard
Electric Tailgate
No
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Applicable
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Single-zone air conditioning
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
10.25-inch infotainment display
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Android Auto
Android Auto
Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument display
7-inch driver display
USB Ports
USB-A / USB-C
2 front USB-C ports (1 full-function, 1 charging)
Infotainment Screen
9
10.25-inch
Touchscreen
9
10.25-inch
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
Not Available
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Flare Red, Morning Yellow, Pearl Black, York White, Hampstead Grey, St. Moritz Blue, Blade Silver
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Not Available
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Snow | Sport
Not Available
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
ALLGRIP / selectable 4WD
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Tyre Size
195/60 R16
195/55 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver spare wheel
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
16
16-inch
Handbrake Type
Manual parking brake
Electric
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion Beam
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
100 g/km
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
MG3-specific service plan
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Ownership Role
Suzuki ownership programme
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
437500 ZAR
469900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
437500
469900
Starting Price Zar
437500
469900
Spec
Grand Vitara
MG3
Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
5 years / 150,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Grand Vitara and MG3 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: Grand Vitara 42 vs MG3 40.
Efficiency index: Grand Vitara 67 vs MG3 90.
Safety-equipment index: Grand Vitara 91 vs MG3 92.
Practicality index: Grand Vitara 52 vs MG3 48.
Ownership-cover index: Grand Vitara not separately scored vs MG3 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
Grand Vitara and MG3 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
MG3 leads by 4 points
Grand Vitara and MG3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Grand Vitara +2
Efficiency
MG3 +23
Safety
MG3 +1
Practicality
Grand Vitara +4
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
MG3
Performance
40/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
48/100
Grand Vitara
Performance
42/100
Efficiency
67/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMG MG3
leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts
vs 62 pts for Grand Vitara
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, MG3 leads. However, Grand Vitara 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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