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
BMW i5 vs Mazda Mazda3: the short answer
i5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Mazda3.
Mazda3 starts ZAR 1,313,700 cheaperi5 from ZAR 1,812,000 · Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
i5
Mazda3
Maximum Power
i5442 kW
Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
i5795 Nm
Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size
i5Not Applicable
Mazda31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
i5Not Applicable
Mazda315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
i5140 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.
BMW i5
M60 xDrive Sedan
Hagalu editorial rating
3.9/5★★★★★★★★★★
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
i5
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Mazda3
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
i5
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
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
i5
Mazda3
Model Introduced Year
2023
2019
Generation
G60 executive electric sedan sharing the 5 Series body architecture with dedicated electric propulsion.
Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback
Facelift History
Current G60-generation battery-electric i5 Sedan in South African specification.
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
Original current-generation version
2019
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Premium Sedan
C-segment hatchback
Vehicle Type
Car
Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
-
1350 kg
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Length
5060 mm
4460 mm
Width
1900 mm
1795 mm
Height
1505 mm
1440 mm
Wheelbase
2995 mm
2725 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
490 l
295 l
Kerb Weight
2370 kg
1350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2895 kg
1870 kg
Payload Capacity
600 kg
520 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.3 m
Front Headroom
985 mm
-
Rear Headroom
940 mm
-
Front Legroom
1047 mm
1075 mm
Rear Legroom
890 mm
891 mm
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1998 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
13.0:1
Bore
Not Applicable
83.5 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
91.2 mm
Maximum Power
442 kW
121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
795 Nm
213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
2
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
250 km/h
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
3.8 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
89.6 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
157.8 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
400 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
469 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
130 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
6 h 30 min
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
30 min
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
6-Speed Auto
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
3.850
Number of Gears
1
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
-
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
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
Yes
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
6
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
15.9 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
12.8 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
18.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro stage IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
15.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
CCS Combo
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
0
51
Combined Driving Range
469-524 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
16.6–18.5
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Applicable
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Airbags
6
7
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
-
Hill Descent Control
Yes
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
Yes
Not Available
AEB
Yes
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
-
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front & Rear
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
-
Knee Airbag
Yes
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
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
Yes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Parking Assist Professional
-
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
-
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Seat Material
BMW Individual leather 'Merino' - Black/Atlas Grey
Black Leather
Heated Seats
Front and rear
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Front
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Steering wheel M Leather
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
(60:40)
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
10-Way Power Adjustable (Driver)
Seat Trim
Yes
Black Leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
1414 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1356 mm
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Climate Control
Standard
Dual-zone climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Front
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Smart
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Standard
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
i5
Mazda3
Infotainment System
Yes
Standard
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
Not Available
USB Ports
2
2
Infotainment Screen
14.9
10-Inch
Touchscreen
14.9
10-Inch
Spec
i5
Mazda3
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
-
Roof Rails
Yes
-
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Mazda South Africa offers model-specific solid, metallic and premium paint finishes subject to current edition availability.
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
-
Black Metallic
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
-
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
-
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
-
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Sport
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
-
Ground Clearance Max
-
140 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
140 mm
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
215/45 R18
Front Brake Type
M Sport brakes, red high gloss
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
M Sport brakes, red high gloss
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Emergency spare wheel
Temporary spare T125/70 D16
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Lt/Aly wheels Double-spoke style 935 M Bicolour Black Grey / MT
18x7J
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Front Suspension
Adaptive suspension Professional
Macpherson strut
Rear Suspension
Adaptive suspension Professional
Torsion beam axle
Spec
i5
Mazda3
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
146 g/km
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 Years/Unlimited km
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Price Zar
2080000 ZAR
629700 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
flagship equipment and comfort derivative
Starting Price
2080000
629700
Starting Price Zar
2080000
629700
Spec
i5
Mazda3
Warranty
Yes
5 Years/Unlimited km
In depth: how these cars differ
This i5 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: i5 100 vs Mazda3 50.
Efficiency index: i5 90 vs Mazda3 61.
Safety-equipment index: i5 92 vs Mazda3 96.
Practicality index: i5 64 vs Mazda3 50.
Ownership-cover index: i5 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
i5 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
i5 leads by 23 points
i5 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Mazda3.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
i5
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
64/100
Mazda3
Performance
50/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
96/100
Practicality
50/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW i5
leads the specification evidence index with 87 pts
vs 64 pts for Mazda3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i5 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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