Chevrolet Spark vs Suzuki Celerio
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Suzuki Celerio wins on money kept: 65% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 69 381 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Spark | Celerio | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 99 900 | R 188 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 1 746/m | R 3 302/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 73% | 81% |
| Retained after 3 years | 53% | 65% |
| Value after 3 years | R 53 320 | R 122 701 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 46 580 | R 66 199 |
| Value after 5 years | R 39 207 | R 96 320 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Budget & entry level |
Chevrolet Spark →
Chevrolet's entry car was a fixture of the budget segment, built at the Port Elizabeth plant and sold in three generations including the stripped-out Spark Lite. The Campus special dropped the entry price to R99 900 in 2012. Used examples remain plentiful and cheap to run, though parts now come through aftermarket channels.
Known for: rock-bottom running costs and huge used supply
Suzuki Celerio →
The Celerio replaced the Alto in 2015 as Suzuki's budget hatch and is now in its second generation locally. It is one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars on sale in SA, with claimed consumption under 4.5L/100km. Steady demand for cheap runabouts keeps used values firm.
Known for: class-leading fuel economy on a budget
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Chevrolet Spark or the Suzuki Celerio?
The Suzuki Celerio. It keeps about 65% of its price after three years against 53% for the Chevrolet Spark, a gap of 12 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Chevrolet Spark loses about R 46 580 over three years and the Suzuki Celerio loses about R 66 199. 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 Chevrolet Spark runs about R 1 746 per month and the Suzuki Celerio about R 3 302, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.