Mazda CX-3 vs MG 5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
MG 5 scores higher, 73 vs 66
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 12 Sep 2026, price 4 Nov 2026
Mazda CX-3
14 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 not offered · 7 no dataFrom
$27,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 2.0 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) with i-stop
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 6.3 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 264L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
MG 5
13 of 27 standard · no option data · 14 no dataFrom
$30,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 1.5L Turbo Petrol
- Power
- 119kW
- Economy
- 6.4 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★3 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 401L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $3,190 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
MG 5: we're still completing 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.
$27,800RRP
- cannot be matched: 360-Degree Camera, Keyless Entry, Electric Driver Seat and 1 more not offered
$30,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Mazda CX-3 G20 Pure
$27,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Nov 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $105 a week in repayments ($27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
MG 5 Essence
$30,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
$32,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by MG Australia
About $129 a week in repayments ($32,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mazda CX-3 starts $3,190 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$105/wk(≈$457/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-3 at $27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mazda CX-3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mazda CX-3 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 4 of 10 key systems on the Mazda CX-3 and 4 on the MG 5.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Mazda CX-3
- REC-005733 · published 1 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the rear-view camera wiring harness may become damaged and could cause the rear-view image to become distorted or flicker.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2020
- REC-005009 · published 2 Dec 2021The low pressure fuel pump impeller may become deformed and cause the fuel pump to stop working.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2019
- REC-000882 · published 15 May 2018If the engine is operated at high revs in an unloaded condition (either Park or Neutral) residual oil that may accumulate in the engine intake system may be drawn into the engine and result in an engine over run condition.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2017
- 3 more on the model page.
MG 5
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda CX-3 features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the MG 5 gets a 10-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mazda CX-3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and head-up display — features our data doesn't list for the MG 5. The MG 5 counters with Apple CarPlay. 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 MG 5 offers synthetic leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 MG 5 responds with a 1.5L Turbo Petrol making 119kW and 250Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.
The MG 5 has the clear power advantage at 119kW vs 110kW. 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, 400mm shorter than the MG 5 at 4,675mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Mazda CX-3 and 401L in the MG 5, giving the MG 5 a 137L advantage.
The Mazda CX-3 turns in a 10.6 m circle, kerb to kerb; the MG 5's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mazda CX-3 costs about $1,796 a year (6.3 L/100km) and fuel for the MG 5 about $1,824 a year (6.4 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $28 a year less for the Mazda CX-3.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-3) and 10 years / 250k km (MG 5).
Where each one leads
The Mazda CX-3: the lower starting price ($27,800 against $30,990) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,796 a year against $1,824).
The MG 5: more power (119kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (401L against 264L) and the longer warranty (10 years against 5).
The Verdict
MG 5 scores higher, 73 vs 66
The MG 5 scores 73 to the Mazda CX-3's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (MG 5 ahead by 34 points), safety (MG 5 ahead by 13 points), value (MG 5 ahead by 5 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mazda CX-3 costs about $28 less (6.3 L/100km against 6.4 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 264L in the Mazda CX-3, 401L in the MG 5. Warranty: 5 years on the Mazda CX-3, 10 on the MG 5.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$105/wk(≈$457/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-3 at $27,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mazda CX-3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mazda CX-3 and MG 5?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MG 5 by $3,190.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda CX-3 uses the least fuel at 6.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
MG 5 holds a 3-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mazda CX-3, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The MG 5 has the largest boot at 401L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,200kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG 5 has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 7 years.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG 5 makes the most power at 119kW.
Track the Mazda CX-3 & MG 5
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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