BAIC D20 vs Datsun Go
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The BAIC D20 wins on money kept: 64% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 2 243 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| D20 | Go | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 149 990 | R 184 600 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 2 622/m | R 3 227/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 80% | 73% |
| Retained after 3 years | 64% | 53% |
| Value after 3 years | R 96 284 | R 98 528 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 53 706 | R 86 072 |
| Value after 5 years | R 75 583 | R 72 448 |
| Our tier | Chinese (established) | Orphan & discontinued |
BAIC D20 →
The D20 was BAIC's South African debut in April 2017, a budget hatch and sedan priced from R149,990. Cheap pricing could not offset a small dealer network and mediocre reviews, and it faded from price lists around 2020. Used examples trade at deep discounts.
Known for: rock-bottom pricing, thin dealer support
Datsun Go →
Datsun's Go launched in October 2014 at R89,500, making it one of the cheapest new cars in SA. Early cars were criticised for missing safety kit, with airbags and ABS only arriving in a later update. Pricing had climbed to R184,600 by the time the brand was axed in 2022, and used values are weak.
Known for: rock-bottom pricing and thin safety kit
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BAIC D20 or the Datsun Go?
The BAIC D20. It keeps about 64% of its price after three years against 53% for the Datsun Go, a gap of 11 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BAIC D20 loses about R 53 706 over three years and the Datsun Go loses about R 86 072. 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 BAIC D20 runs about R 2 622 per month and the Datsun Go about R 3 227, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.