Audi A3 vs Seat Leon
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Audi A3 wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 348 397 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A3 | Leon | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 769 000 | R 214 800 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 13 441/m | R 3 754/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 73% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 53% |
| Value after 3 years | R 463 044 | R 114 646 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 305 956 | R 100 154 |
| Value after 5 years | R 342 149 | R 84 300 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Orphan & discontinued |
Audi A3 →
The A3 has been Audi's volume passenger car in South Africa since 1997, sold as a Sportback hatch and a sedan. It shares its platform and engines with the VW Golf family while charging a premium for the badge and cabin. Used demand stays steady, and the S3 and RS3 hold value better than base cars.
Known for: golf underpinnings with upmarket cabin
Seat Leon →
Sharing the Golf 5 platform, the Leon sold here from 2006 to 2008 with 2.0 FSI and TDI engines plus FR and 177 kW Cupra versions that undercut the GTI. It built a small enthusiast following that persists. Golf parts commonality makes it one of the easier orphan cars to own.
Known for: gti pace for less money
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A3 or the Seat Leon?
The Audi A3. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 53% for the Seat Leon, a gap of 7 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Audi A3 loses about R 305 956 over three years and the Seat Leon loses about R 100 154. 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 Audi A3 runs about R 13 441 per month and the Seat Leon about R 3 754, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.