Mazda CX-3 vs MG IM5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
MG IM5 scores higher, 75 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 IM5
24 of 27 standard · no option data · 3 no dataFrom
$55,450
est. RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 217kW
- Energy use
- No data
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 457L
Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 66, but the Mazda CX-3 is $27,650 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
MG IM5: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, turning circle and energy consumption.
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, Premium Audio and 2 more not offered
$55,450est. RRP
- 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 IM5 Premium 75 RWD
$55,450
Estimated RRP (the brand lists drive-away prices only), before on-road costs. Checked 14 Oct 2026
$60,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by MG Australia
About $259 a week in repayments ($60,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The MG IM5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mazda CX-3 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
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
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the MG IM5Driva 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 10 on the MG IM5.
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 IM5
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.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
75kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 153kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda CX-3 features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the MG IM5 gets a 26.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mazda CX-3 stands out with head-up display — features our data doesn't list for the MG IM5. The MG IM5 counters with wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, V2L and ambient lighting. 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 IM5 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Mazda CX-3 and 2-zone in the MG IM5.
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 IM5 responds with a Electric making 217kW and 450Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels.
The MG IM5 has the clear power advantage at 217kW 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, 656mm shorter than the MG IM5 at 4,931mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG IM5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 264L in the Mazda CX-3 and 457L in the MG IM5, giving the MG IM5 a 193L advantage.
For towing, the MG IM5 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
The Mazda CX-3 turns in a 10.6 m circle, kerb to kerb; the MG IM5's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
We do not hold a like-for-like fuel or energy figure for both cars, so we do not cost them against each other.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-3) and 7 years / Unlimited (MG IM5).
Where each one leads
The Mazda CX-3: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the MG IM5.
The MG IM5: more power (217kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (457L against 264L), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,200kg).
The Verdict
MG IM5 scores higher, 75 vs 66
The MG IM5 scores 75 to the Mazda CX-3's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (MG IM5 ahead by 35 points), safety (MG IM5 ahead by 31 points), performance (MG IM5 ahead by 20 points). Boot space with the seats up: 264L in the Mazda CX-3, 457L in the MG IM5. Warranty: 5 years on the Mazda CX-3, 7 on the MG IM5.
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
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the MG IM5Driva 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 IM5?
The Mazda CX-3 is the cheapest at $27,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MG IM5 by $27,650.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
MG IM5 holds a 5-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 IM5 has the largest boot at 457L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The MG IM5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG IM5 makes the most power at 217kW.
Track the Mazda CX-3 & MG IM5
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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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