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
Changan Hunter Diesel vs Mazda Mazda3: the short answer
Hunter Diesel and Mazda3 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Hunter Diesel starts ZAR 48,400 cheaperHunter Diesel from ZAR 449,900 · Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Maximum Power
Hunter Diesel110 kW
Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Hunter Diesel350 Nm
Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size
Hunter Diesel2000 cc
Mazda31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Hunter Diesel10.99 km/l
Mazda315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
Hunter Diesel226 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.
Changan Hunter Diesel
4WD AT CE
Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5★★★★★★★★★★
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)
Specification evidence leader
Hunter Diesel
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Mazda3
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?
Hunter Diesel
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
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
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Model Introduced Year
2025
2019
Generation
Current South African Hunter double-cab diesel generation with one 2WD manual and one 4WD automatic derivative.
Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback
Facelift History
No South African facelift has been announced for the current Hunter Diesel range.
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
Not Applicable
2019
Facelift Version Ending
Not Applicable
Current
Body Style
Double-cab pickup
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Double-cab bakkie
C-segment hatchback
Vehicle Type
Light commercial vehicle
Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
-
1350 kg
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Length
5330 mm
4460 mm
Width
1930 mm
1795 mm
Height
1875 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
3180 mm
2725 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
226 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
Not Officially Disclosed
295 l
Kerb Weight
2060 kg
1350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3080 kg
1870 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
520 kg
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
13 m
5.3 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1075 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
891 mm
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Engine
2.0-litre Turbocharged Diesel
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
D20TCID
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2000 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
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
110 kW
121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
350 Nm
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
4WD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
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
Not Officially Disclosed
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 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
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Gearbox
6-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, four-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Transfer Case
Yes
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
3.850
Number of Gears
6
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
4WD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Torque-Converter Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x4
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
6
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Claimed Mileage
10.99 km/l
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
18.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro 4
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Real-world Mileage
10.99 km/l
15.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
80
51
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Airbags
6
7
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
-
Hill Descent Control
Yes
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
All seating rows
Front & Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Officially Disclosed
-
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
All seating rows
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
-
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Cruise Control
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Parking Sensors
Rear (2 sensors)
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Seat Material
Leather
Black Leather
Heated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
(60:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric with lumbar support
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way electric
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Seat Trim
Leather
Black Leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
1414 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1356 mm
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Climate Control
Manual climate control
Dual-zone climate control
Power Windows
All windows; driver one-touch and anti-pinch
Front
Keyless Entry
Yes
Smart
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
AC Type
Manual climate control
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
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Infotainment System
10-inch touchscreen
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Not Officially Disclosed
Wireless
Android Auto
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
4.2-inch driver information display
Not Available
USB Ports
3
2
Infotainment Screen
10-inch
10-Inch
Touchscreen
10-inch
10-Inch
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
Front
-
Roof Rails
Yes
-
Exterior Colour Options
Electric Blue, Red, Stellar White, Lunar Silver, Metallic Grey
Mazda South Africa offers model-specific solid, metallic and premium paint finishes subject to current edition availability.
Headlights
Not Available
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Approach Angle
28 deg
-
Departure Angle
27 deg
-
Wading Depth
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Terrain Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Sport
Locking Differential
Rear
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
4WD
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Ground Clearance Max
-
140 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
140 mm
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Tyre Size
265/60 R18
215/45 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size aluminium-alloy wheel
Temporary spare T125/70 D16
Wheel Rim Size
18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
18x7J
Handbrake Type
Mechanical parking brake
Electronic
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone independent
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Leaf spring
Torsion beam axle
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
CO2 Emissions
239 g/km
146 g/km
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Service Plan
5 years / 90,000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Ownership Role
Current South African derivative
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
569900 ZAR
629700 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
569900
629700
Starting Price Zar
569900
629700
Spec
Hunter Diesel
Mazda3
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Hunter Diesel 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: Hunter Diesel 62 vs Mazda3 50.
Efficiency index: Hunter Diesel 45 vs Mazda3 61.
Safety-equipment index: Hunter Diesel 88 vs Mazda3 96.
Practicality index: Hunter Diesel 75 vs Mazda3 50.
Ownership-cover index: Hunter Diesel 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
Hunter Diesel 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
Hunter Diesel leads by 5 points
Hunter Diesel 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
Hunter Diesel
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
45/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
75/100
Mazda3
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
96/100
Practicality
50/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChangan Hunter Diesel
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 64 pts for Mazda3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Hunter Diesel 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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