Chrysler Neon vs Toyota Corolla
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Corolla wins on money kept: 70% retained after three years vs 52%, worth about R 333 526 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Neon | Corolla | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 156 500 | R 590 200 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 2 735/m | R 10 316/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 72% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 52% | 70% |
| Value after 3 years | R 80 606 | R 414 132 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 75 894 | R 176 068 |
| Value after 5 years | R 58 289 | R 338 143 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Strong mainstream |
Chrysler Neon →
Chrysler's budget sedan of the late 1990s and early 2000s, pitched at Corolla and Jetta buyers with more standard kit for the money. The 2.0 R/T added a mild performance angle to the second generation. Survivors are cheap to buy but parts supply is thin, so it is strictly a bangernomics purchase today.
Known for: cheap spacious american compact
Toyota Corolla →
The Corolla has been a fixture of South African driveways since the 1970s and was built locally for much of that time. Today it sells as an imported sedan and hatch with petrol and hybrid power, positioned well above the budget Quest that used to carry the old shape. Buyers trust it for low running costs and it remains one of the easiest used cars to sell.
Known for: bulletproof reliability and easy resale
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Chrysler Neon or the Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla. It keeps about 70% of its price after three years against 52% for the Chrysler Neon, a gap of 19 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Chrysler Neon loses about R 75 894 over three years and the Toyota Corolla loses about R 176 068. 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 Chrysler Neon runs about R 2 735 per month and the Toyota Corolla about R 10 316, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.