Alfa Romeo Junior vs BYD Atto 3
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 48% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Junior | Atto 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 819 900 | R 699 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 14 331/m | R 12 233/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 69% | 69% |
| Retained after 3 years | 47% | 48% |
| Value after 3 years | R 384 640 | R 335 508 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 435 260 | R 364 392 |
| Value after 5 years | R 266 503 | R 229 383 |
| Our tier | Premium EV | Chinese (new entrant) |
Alfa Romeo Junior →
The Junior arrived in South Africa in late 2025 in electric-only Elettrica and Elettrica Veloce forms, launching from R799,900. It shares Stellantis EV underpinnings with the Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka but adds sportier tuning. The petrol Ibrida version has not been confirmed for the local market.
Known for: alfa's first ev in south africa
BYD Atto 3 →
The Atto 3 was BYD's first model in South Africa, arriving in 2023 at R768,000 before prices were trimmed to under R700,000. It is a compact electric crossover built around BYD's Blade LFP battery, sold in Standard and Extended Range forms. Like most EVs in SA it sheds value quickly on the used market.
Known for: launching byd in south africa
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Alfa Romeo Junior or the BYD Atto 3?
They are close to inseparable: 47% vs 48% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Alfa Romeo Junior loses about R 435 260 over three years and the BYD Atto 3 loses about R 364 392. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Alfa Romeo Junior runs about R 14 331 per month and the BYD Atto 3 about R 12 233, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.