New Suzuki Vitara vs Mazda CX-3 vs Renault Duster: which one has the lowest running costs?
With manufacturers from Audi to Volvo introducing small or medium-size cross-overs and SUVs, it’s not easy to choose one that’s just right. Many motorists buy on emotion, but cost is a bigger motivator, especially running cost. Here we assemble three popular contenders, from Suzuki, Mazda and Renault, and talk you through the costs.
All of the mainstream carmakers, from Audi to Volvo, have small or medium-size cross-overs and SUVs in their product line-ups. You would think that’s reason to celebrate, and it is. But it also makes it hard to choose the right one. “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom,” as the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said. To reduce this anxiety caused by so much freedom of choice, you could consider the running cost of the vehicles you have on your short-list. Here we have assembled three excellent and desirable contenders for you.
Can you pre-determine a car’s running costs?
To predict exactly what it will cost to run a car is near impossible, because there are so many variables. These include the level of care applied in the production of the car you bought. As they say, was it built on a (hangover) Monday or on the morning following a phuza Thursday? This may be an urban legend, but its true that not all cars are created equal – in the same factory – and that some production plants are better at detecting and rectifying production errors than others.
With that said, there are key points that give prospective owners some indication of a car’s upkeep requirements. This includes the duration of the service intervals and the cost of tyres. For new-car buyers, the emphasis might shift towards resale value, what service plans come standard, insurance premiums and fuel consumption.
With these considerations in mind, we pitch the Suzuki Vitara against the Renault Duster and the Mazda CX-3. To level the playing field, all three cars have manual gearboxes and cloth seats, although their much of their other hardware differs. We picked our opponents as close as possible to the price point of a low-spec Suzuki Vitara GL+.
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Gentlemen, start your engines
1. Mazda CX-3 2.0 Active (R322 500)
The CX-3 is Mazda’s first attempt at a small cross-UV and it’s a triumph. It feels like a small Lexus, if not better. Of the three it’s the least suited to rough roads and gravel, mostly because of its relatively limited ground clearance. It’s more of a hatchback than it is an SUV, but it’s styling is a strong point regardless. It has six airbags.
2. Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+ (R332 900)
Suzuki’s expertise in building small off-roaders that are light and durable shines through in the Vitara. Its mass barely exceeds a ton, which helps dynamic performance and fuel economy. Another virtue is its superb suspension that grants it good road holding and a fairly comfortable ride on poor surfaces. Its seven airbags outnumber that competition’s, but it has only five forward gears and no automatic hill-hold.
3. Renault Duster 1.5dCi Dynamique 4WD (R340 900)
Conceived to be a cheap off-roader, the Duster has exceeded its brief. It can master all sorts of challenging surfaces, while hardly using any fuel. While its styling remains divisive and though it can’t measure up the Mazda’s luxurious cabin, it’s the most fun to drive. It has four airbags.
Pricing was accurate at the time, but may change without prior notice.
Which one has the lowest running cost?
Purchase price and depreciation
At R 340 900 the Renault Duster 1.5dCi Dynamique 4WD is R8 000 dearer than the Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+ and R18 400 over the price of the Mazda CX3 2.0 Active. However, the extra money spent will most likely benefit you in the long run, especially if you do a lot of driving. That’s because of the Duster’s diesel engine’s astoundingly low consumption. Of the three cars, the Duster is the only one that can power all four wheels. If you don’t see yourself ever requiring 4×4 (tr)action, consider the Renault Duster 1.5dCi TechRoad (4x2) for R306 900. There’s not much of a difference in depreciation of the three. The two dealers we interviewed put their money on the Duster and Mazda for slower depreciation, with a hair’s breadth between them and the Vitara. In this comparison, the issue decreasing value is of little importance.
Related: Suzuki Vitara vs Honda HR-V vs Ford EcoSport: which one has the lowest running costs?
Fuel efficiency
The Renault wins this race hands down, burning just 5.2 litres for every 100 km driven. The Suzuki does not have the advantages (or drawbacks) of diesel propulsion, but it achieves fuel figures that will trick some into thinking it is an oil-burner. The Vitara’s official figure is just 5.8 l/100km. The Mazda has a comparatively powerful petrol engine that outperforms the others in acceleration and overtaking exercises. This comes at the price of a bigger thirst, and it’s pegged at 7.1 l/100km.
Warranties, service plans and intervals
The two Japanese cars provide warranty cover for three years. Suzuki limits this to 100 000 km, while Mazda places no limit on the distance travelled. Renault provides a notable 5 year / 150 000 km warranty.
Each car is sold with a service plan included in the retail price. Mazda provides a 3 year, unlimited kilometre service plan, which is worth considering if you put galactic mileage on your cars. Suzuki gives a generous 4 year / 60 000 km service plan, while Renault trails behind with 3 years / 45 000 km. All require a service every 15 000 km.
Once the Duster’s service plan runs out, it will cost R2 400 for the 40 000 km service and R4 200 for the 60 000 km service. The cam-belt service, including belt, will cost R4 300.
To service a Suzuki Vitara 1.6 manual (front-wheel drive) is a bit cheaper: R4 180 for the 60 000 km service and just R1 340 for the 75 000 km service. Charlton Schroeder, Service Manager at Rola Mazda Somerset West <https://mazdasomersetwest.co.za>, says a minor service on the CX-3 is R2 800, while a major service costs R5200. The spark plugs are only replaced at 120 000 km at an additional cost of roughly R1 500.
These prices are correct for April 2020.
Insurance
Neither of the three are particularly sought-after in the (criminal) underworld, so your personal profile and the purchase price will determine what you pay for insurance.
Tyre replacement
The Mazda and Suzuki ride on 215/60 R16 tyres and alloys, and these will set you back from R1 200 to R2 600 per tyre. The Duster’s tyres have a slightly higher profile and the spec is 215/65 R16. These go for R1 300 for an entry-level tyre to R2 900 (each) for BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber.
Verdict
The Duster takes the prize, mainly for its low fuel consumption. The Suzuki makes it to second place, thanks to its combination of a long service plan, cheap servicing and respectable fuel economy. Hopefully this well help you to choose and thereby curbing any anxiety you might have over the purchase of a small cross-UV!