Mazda Mazda3 vs Lexus NX

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 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
VS
Lexus NX in South Africa

Lexus NX

NX 350 F SPORT Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,276,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 205 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda Mazda3 vs Lexus NX: the short answer

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

Mazda3 starts ZAR 575,900 cheaper Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300 · NX from ZAR 1,074,200

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Mazda3 NX
Maximum Power Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm NX205 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm NX430 Nm
Engine Size Mazda31998 cc NX2400 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Mazda315.9 km/l NX12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance Mazda3140 mm NX195 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 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

Lexus NX

NX 350 F SPORT

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)

Mazda3

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

NX

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?

Mazda3

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

NX

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Mazda3 NX
Model Introduced Year 2019 2023
Generation Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback Second-generation Lexus NX mid-size luxury SUV
Facelift History The seventh-generation South African hatchback launched in 2019 and the current range has since been consolidated to Dynamic and Astina editions. Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Launched Since 2019 Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style Hatchback SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active published
Segment C-segment hatchback Luxury SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1350 kg 1760-1860 kg
Vehicle Type Hatchback SUV
Spec Mazda3 NX
Length 4460 mm 4660 mm
Width 1795 mm 1865 mm
Height 1440 mm 1670 mm
Wheelbase 2725 mm 2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 140 mm 195 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 295 l 520 l
Kerb Weight 1350 kg -
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1870 kg 2370 kg
Payload Capacity 520 kg -
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 1000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.3 m 5.8 m
Front Legroom 1075 mm -
Rear Legroom 891 mm -

In depth: how these cars differ

This Mazda3 and NX 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: Mazda3 50 vs NX 86.

Efficiency index: Mazda3 61 vs NX 49.

Safety-equipment index: Mazda3 96 vs NX 93.

Practicality index: Mazda3 50 vs NX 65.

Ownership-cover index: Mazda3 not separately scored vs NX 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

NX leads by 11 points

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

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 11 points
Data 70% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

NX

70% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 86
Efficiency 49
Safety 93
Practicality 65
Leads by 11 points
64
#2

Mazda3

77% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Performance 50
Performance 50
Efficiency 61
Safety 96
Practicality 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance NX +36 Efficiency Mazda3 +12 Safety Mazda3 +3 Practicality NX +15

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

NX

Performance 86/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 65/100

Mazda3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Lexus NX leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 64 pts for Mazda3

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

Mazda3 vs NX 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.