Audi A3 vs Toyota GR Yaris
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota GR Yaris wins on money kept: 70% retained after three years vs 60%, worth about R 202 552 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A3 | GR Yaris | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 769 000 | R 951 600 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 13 441/m | R 16 632/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 70% |
| Value after 3 years | R 463 044 | R 665 596 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 305 956 | R 286 004 |
| Value after 5 years | R 342 149 | R 542 492 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Strong mainstream |
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
Toyota GR Yaris →
A homologation special with a turbocharged three-cylinder and all-wheel drive, sold here in limited numbers since 2021. Allocations sold out quickly at launch and the facelifted car now costs close to R1 million. Supply constraints have kept used values unusually strong for a performance car.
Known for: rally-bred all-wheel-drive hot hatch
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A3 or the Toyota GR Yaris?
The Toyota GR Yaris. It keeps about 70% of its price after three years against 60% for the Audi A3, a gap of 10 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 Toyota GR Yaris loses about R 286 004. 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 Toyota GR Yaris about R 16 632, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.