Best resale value under R300 000
The strongest value-holders under R300 000 in South Africa, ranked over a three-year horizon with rand figures. Updated for 2026.
- New from
- R 197 900
- Retained after 3 years
- 75%
- Worth then
- R 148 750
- ±Monthly
- R 3 459/m
#1 vs #20: the same money, very different outcomes
| # | Car | New from | Kept after 3y | Worth then |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuki Super Carry | R 197 900 | 75% | R 148 750 |
| 2 | Suzuki Eeco | R 231 900 | 74% | R 172 032 |
| 3 | Suzuki Swift | R 228 900 | 73% | R 167 581 |
| 4 | Suzuki Ignis | R 237 900 | 73% | R 174 170 |
| 5 | Suzuki Dzire | R 232 900 | 72% | R 167 704 |
| 6 | Suzuki Baleno | R 269 900 | 72% | R 194 177 |
| 7 | Toyota Starlet | R 273 700 | 72% | R 196 911 |
| 8 | Volkswagen Polo Vivo | R 271 900 | 72% | R 195 616 |
| 9 | Mahindra Pik Up | R 279 999 | 70% | R 194 947 |
| 10 | Hyundai Venue | R 284 800 | 67% | R 191 681 |
| 11 | Kia Sonet | R 299 995 | 67% | R 201 908 |
| 12 | Nissan Magnite | R 252 200 | 67% | R 169 740 |
| 13 | JAC T6 | R 299 900 | 66% | R 198 201 |
| 14 | Hyundai Grand i10 | R 224 900 | 65% | R 146 085 |
| 15 | Kia Picanto | R 236 995 | 65% | R 153 941 |
| 16 | Suzuki S-Presso | R 178 900 | 65% | R 116 205 |
| 17 | Suzuki Celerio | R 188 900 | 65% | R 122 701 |
| 18 | Toyota Vitz | R 182 400 | 65% | R 118 479 |
| 19 | Hyundai Exter | R 269 900 | 64% | R 173 593 |
| 20 | Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | R 269 900 | 64% | R 171 504 |
Modelled retention on current new prices, retail basis. Tap any car for its full value page.
How to read this table
Retention percentages compress a lot of money into a small number. The gap between the top and bottom of this list is 12 points, which on these prices means a difference of tens of thousands of rand walking out of your pocket by year 3. Depreciation is the single biggest cost of car ownership in South Africa, bigger than fuel for most drivers, and it is decided the day you choose the model.
A strong retainer effectively lends you a nicer car for less: you pay more per month than a cheap fast-depreciator, but you get far more back at trade-in. Check the value page of any car here before you sign, and run your own deal through the value calculator.
Common questions
Which car in this list holds its value best?
Suzuki Super Carry: it keeps 75% of its R 197 900 price after 3 years, about R 148 750 still in your pocket.
How is this ranking calculated?
We apply our 12-tier South African depreciation model to each car's current new price, adjusted for body type, fuel and price band, then rank by projected value retention after 3 years. It is modelled from market data, not a survey.
How big is the gap between the best and worst here?
12 percentage points across this table. On a R500 000 car that is a difference of about R 58 103 at resale time, which is why the model you pick matters more than the rate you negotiate.