Mazda CX-3 vs Nissan Dualis
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
Nissan Dualis
$25,990 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
SUV
Petrol
MR20DE
102kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
—
Track the Mazda CX-3 & Nissan Dualis
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Mazda CX-3 starts from $27,800 before on-road costs, while the Nissan Dualis opens at $25,990. That makes the Nissan Dualis the more affordable entry point by $1,810.
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 $28,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mazda CX-3 by roughly $2,565 in fuel alone.
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 Nissan Dualis gets a 5-inch display.
The Mazda CX-3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and head-up display — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan Dualis. 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 Nissan Dualis offers cloth.
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 Nissan Dualis responds with a MR20DE making 102kW and 198Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the front wheels.
The Mazda CX-3 has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 102kW. 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, 55mm shorter than the Nissan Dualis at 4,330mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Dualis generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Nissan Dualis leads with a 1,400kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 10.6m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,796/year for the Mazda CX-3 and $2,309/year for the Nissan Dualis. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Mazda CX-3.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-3) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Nissan Dualis). The Mazda CX-3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mazda CX-3 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Dualis if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mazda CX-3 takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Mazda CX-3 will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. The Mazda CX-3 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-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 Nissan Dualis?
The Nissan Dualis is the cheapest at $25,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mazda CX-3 by $1,810.
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?
Nissan Dualis holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Mazda CX-3, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Nissan Dualis has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,400kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mazda CX-3 has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda CX-3 makes the most power at 110kW.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
