Mazda CX-3 vs Chery Tiggo 7
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Mazda CX-3
From $27,800
SUV
Petrol
2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop
110kW
6.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
264L
Chery Tiggo 7
From $27,500
SUV
Petrol
1.5L Turbo Petrol
108kW
6.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
Chery Tiggo 7: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
The Mazda CX-3 starts from $27,800 before on-road costs, while the Chery Tiggo 7 opens at $27,500. That makes the Chery Tiggo 7 the more affordable entry point by $300.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $30,580 and $30,250 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda CX-3 features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the Chery Tiggo 7 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mazda CX-3 stands out with head-up display that you will not find on the Chery Tiggo 7. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mazda CX-3 gets black cloth upholstery while the Chery Tiggo 7 offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the Mazda CX-3 and 2-zone in the Chery Tiggo 7.
Drivetrain
The Mazda CX-3 uses a 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop producing 110kW and 195Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic (skyactiv-drive) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds.
The Chery Tiggo 7 responds with a 1.5L Turbo Petrol making 108kW and 210Nm, paired to a 6 speed dual clutch transmission driving the rear wheels.
The Mazda CX-3 has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 108kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda CX-3 measures 4,275mm long on a 2,570mm wheelbase, 265mm shorter than the Chery Tiggo 7 at 4,540mm (2,661mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Chery Tiggo 7 generally means more rear legroom.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m diameter
Good
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.3 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,796/year for the Mazda CX-3 and $1,967/year for the Chery Tiggo 7. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Mazda CX-3.
Estimated annual total: $1,796 (Mazda CX-3) vs $1,967 (Chery Tiggo 7). The Mazda CX-3 saves you roughly $171 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-3) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Chery Tiggo 7). The Chery Tiggo 7 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mazda CX-3 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Chery Tiggo 7 if: You want the lower entry price, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mazda CX-3 and Chery Tiggo 7 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mazda CX-3 will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. The Chery Tiggo 7 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mazda CX-3 and Chery Tiggo 7?
The Chery Tiggo 7 is the cheapest at $27,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda CX-3 by $300.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda CX-3 uses the least fuel at 6.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery Tiggo 7 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery Tiggo 7 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda CX-3 makes the most power at 110kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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