Suzuki Ignis vs Mazda Mazda3

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.

Suzuki Ignis in South Africa

Suzuki Ignis

1.2 GLX AMT Petrol 5-Speed AMT Current
ZAR 293,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 60 kW 🔧 113 Nm ⛽ 18.2 km/l
VS
Mazda Mazda3 in South Africa

Mazda Mazda3

2.0 Astina Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 629,700 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 15.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Ignis vs Mazda Mazda3: the short answer

Mazda3 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Ignis remains close.

Ignis starts ZAR 260,400 cheaper Ignis from ZAR 237,900 · Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Ignis Mazda3
Maximum Power Ignis60 kW Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Ignis113 Nm Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size Ignis1197 cc Mazda31998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Ignis18.2 km/l Mazda315.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Ignis0 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.

Suzuki Ignis

1.2 GLX AMT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Mazda Mazda3

2.0 Astina Edition Auto FWD

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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)

Ignis

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Mazda3

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Ignis

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Mazda3

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Ignis Mazda3
Model Introduced Year 2026 2019
Generation Current market generation Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback
Facelift History Current market 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 2026 2019
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Hatchback
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active Active
Segment Hatchback C-segment hatchback
Vehicle Type Hatchback Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg - 1350 kg
Spec Ignis Mazda3
Length 3700 mm 4460 mm
Width 1690 mm 1795 mm
Height 1595 mm 1440 mm
Wheelbase 2435 mm 2725 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 0 mm 140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 32 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 260 l 295 l
Kerb Weight 865 kg 1350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1330 kg 1870 kg
Payload Capacity 465 kg 520 kg
Towing Capacity 500 kg 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m 5.3 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm -
Rear Headroom 950 mm -
Front Legroom 1050 mm 1075 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm 891 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Ignis 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: Ignis 23 vs Mazda3 50.

Efficiency index: Ignis 69 vs Mazda3 61.

Safety-equipment index: Ignis 87 vs Mazda3 96.

Practicality index: Ignis 42 vs Mazda3 50.

Ownership-cover index: Ignis 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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 10 points

Mazda3 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Ignis remains close.

Evidence leader 64 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 77% source coverage
64
#1 Evidence leader

Mazda3

77% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Performance 50
Performance 50
Efficiency 61
Safety 96
Practicality 50
Leads by 10 points
54
#2

Ignis

74% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 23
Performance 23
Efficiency 69
Safety 87
Practicality 42
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Mazda3 +27 Efficiency Ignis +8 Safety Mazda3 +9 Practicality Mazda3 +8

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Mazda3

Performance 50/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 50/100

Ignis

Performance 23/100
Efficiency 69/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 42/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mazda Mazda3 leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts vs 54 pts for Ignis

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Mazda3 leads. However, Ignis may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Ignis vs Mazda3 questions

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.