BYD Sealion 5 vs Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro wins on money kept: 64% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 98 594 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Sealion 5 | Tiggo 4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 509 900 | R 269 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 8 912/m | R 4 717/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 73% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 53% | 64% |
| Value after 3 years | R 270 098 | R 171 504 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 239 802 | R 98 396 |
| Value after 5 years | R 194 060 | R 133 902 |
| Our tier | Chinese (new entrant) | Chinese (established) |
BYD Sealion 5 →
Launched in late 2025 at R499,900, the Sealion 5 arrived as one of the cheapest plug-in hybrids in SA. A 1.5-litre petrol engine pairs with an electric motor for 156kW combined. It goes after Haval Jolion and Chery Tiggo buyers on price while offering a plug.
Known for: plug-in hybrid family suv around r500k
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro →
The Tiggo 4 Pro spearheaded Chery's 2021 return and has often been the best-selling Chinese car in South Africa, regularly cracking the overall top ten. Buyers get a lot of equipment for budget-hatch money plus a 10-year/1-million km engine warranty for the first owner. Resale is far better than old-era Chery but still trails Toyota and VW rivals.
Known for: kit-for-money value and long warranties
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BYD Sealion 5 or the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro?
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro. It keeps about 64% of its price after three years against 53% for the BYD Sealion 5, a gap of 11 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BYD Sealion 5 loses about R 239 802 over three years and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro loses about R 98 396. 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 BYD Sealion 5 runs about R 8 912 per month and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro about R 4 717, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.