Mazda Mazda2 vs Hyundai Staria

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.

Mazda Mazda2 in South Africa

Mazda Mazda2

1.5 Individual Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 417,300 ex-showroom
⚡ 85 kW 🔧 148 Nm ⛽ 16.7 km/l
VS
Hyundai Staria in South Africa

Hyundai Staria

2.2D Executive Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 975,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 130 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda Mazda2 vs Hyundai Staria: the short answer

Mazda2 and Staria are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Mazda2 starts ZAR 639,900 cheaper Mazda2 from ZAR 336,000 · Staria from ZAR 975,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Mazda2 Staria
Maximum Power Mazda285 kW @ 6000 rpm Staria130 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque Mazda2148 Nm @ 4000 rpm Staria430 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Engine Size Mazda21496 cc Staria2199 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Mazda216.7 km/l Staria12.5 km/l
Ground Clearance Mazda2152 mm Staria175 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.

Mazda Mazda2

1.5 Individual 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

Hyundai Staria

2.2D Executive

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)

Mazda2

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

Staria

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

Which One's Right for You?

Mazda2

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Staria

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Mazda2 Staria
Model Introduced Year 2015 2021
Generation Current DJ-generation Mazda2, updated for South Africa in 2026 First generation Staria; completely new platform and design language — not a successor to the H1 in terms of underpinnings or architecture
Facelift History The South African range received a feature and styling update for the 2026 model year. Launched in SA in 2021 as a full replacement for the H1; no facelift yet in SA
Facelift Launched Since 2015 2021
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback MPV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment B-segment hatchback MPV
Tare Mass Kg 1070 kg 2220 kg
Vehicle Type Hatchback MPV
Color Note - White, Black, Silver, Grey
Dealer Stock Note - Executive grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec Mazda2 Staria
Length 4085 mm 5253 mm
Width 1695 mm 1997 mm
Height 1504 mm 1990 mm
Wheelbase 2570 mm 3273 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 152 mm 175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 44 l 75 l
Boot/Cargo Space 250 l 175 l
Kerb Weight 1070 kg 2220 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1527 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 457 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 250 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 9 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.7 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1063 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 881 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 3 rows
Front Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom - Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This Mazda2 and Staria 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: Mazda2 38 vs Staria 62.

Efficiency index: Mazda2 64 vs Staria 51.

Safety-equipment index: Mazda2 84 vs Staria 80.

Practicality index: Mazda2 45 vs Staria 61.

Ownership-cover index: Mazda2 not separately scored vs Staria 65.

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

Staria leads by 7 points

Mazda2 and Staria are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 64 /100
Lead 7 points
Data 90% source coverage
64
#1 Evidence leader

Staria

90% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 80 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 62
Efficiency 51
Safety 80
Practicality 61
Ownership 65
Leads by 7 points
57
#2

Mazda2

75% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 38
Performance 38
Efficiency 64
Safety 84
Practicality 45
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Staria +24 Efficiency Mazda2 +13 Safety Mazda2 +4 Practicality Staria +16

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Staria

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 80/100
Practicality 61/100
Ownership 65/100

Mazda2

Performance 38/100
Efficiency 64/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 45/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai Staria leads the specification evidence index with 64 pts vs 57 pts for Mazda2

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Staria leads. However, Mazda2 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Mazda2 vs Staria 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.