Mazda Mazda3 vs Lexus RZ

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 RZ in South Africa

Lexus RZ

RZ 550e F SPORT Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,977,600 ex-showroom
⚡ 300 kW 🔧 269 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mazda Mazda3 vs Lexus RZ: the short answer

RZ holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Mazda3.

Mazda3 starts ZAR 1,184,300 cheaper Mazda3 from ZAR 498,300 · RZ from ZAR 1,682,600

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Mazda3 RZ
Maximum Power Mazda3121 kW @ 6000 rpm RZ300 kW
Maximum Torque Mazda3213 Nm @ 4000 rpm RZ268.6 Nm
Engine Size Mazda31998 cc RZNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy Mazda315.9 km/l RZNot Applicable
Ground Clearance Mazda3140 mm RZ200 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 RZ

RZ 550e 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
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

RZ

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

Which One's Right for You?

Mazda3

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

RZ

  • 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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Mazda3 RZ
Model Introduced Year 2019 2026
Generation Seventh-generation BP-series Mazda3 hatchback Updated dedicated battery-electric Lexus RZ range launched locally in 2026
Facelift History The seventh-generation South African hatchback launched in 2019 and the current range has since been consolidated to Dynamic and Astina editions. 2026 South African range introduces RZ 500e, RZ 550e F SPORT and RZ 600e F SPORT Performance derivatives
Facelift Launched Since 2019 2026 South African range introduces RZ 500e, RZ 550e F SPORT and RZ 600e F SPORT Performance derivatives
Facelift Version Ending Current Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style Hatchback SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment C-segment hatchback Luxury SUV
Tare Mass Kg 1350 kg 2145-2165 kg
Vehicle Type Hatchback SUV
Spec Mazda3 RZ
Length 4460 mm 4805 mm
Width 1795 mm 1895 mm
Height 1440 mm 1635 mm
Wheelbase 2725 mm 2850 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 140 mm 200 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 51 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 295 l 522 l
Kerb Weight 1350 kg 2180 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1870 kg 2640 kg
Payload Capacity 520 kg 460 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 750 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.3 m 5.6 m
Front Legroom 1075 mm 1069 mm
Rear Legroom 891 mm 953 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1013 mm
Rear Headroom - 1008 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Mazda3 and RZ 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 RZ 83.

Efficiency index: Mazda3 61 vs RZ 90.

Safety-equipment index: Mazda3 96 vs RZ 94.

Practicality index: Mazda3 50 vs RZ 62.

Ownership-cover index: Mazda3 not separately scored vs RZ 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

RZ leads by 18 points

RZ holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Mazda3.

Evidence leader 82 /100
Lead 18 points
Data 60% source coverage
82
#1 Evidence leader

RZ

60% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 94 Check Practicality 62
Performance 83
Efficiency 90
Safety 94
Practicality 62
Leads by 18 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 RZ +33 Efficiency RZ +29 Safety Mazda3 +2 Practicality RZ +12

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

RZ

Performance 83/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 94/100
Practicality 62/100

Mazda3

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Lexus RZ leads the specification evidence index with 82 pts vs 64 pts for Mazda3

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

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Mazda3 vs RZ 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.