Citroen C5 Aircross vs Volkswagen Tiguan
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Volkswagen Tiguan wins on money kept: 72% retained after three years vs 58%, worth about R 112 818 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| C5 Aircross | Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 633 900 | R 664 500 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 11 080/m | R 11 614/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 85% |
| Retained after 3 years | 58% | 72% |
| Value after 3 years | R 367 028 | R 479 846 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 266 872 | R 184 654 |
| Value after 5 years | R 278 684 | R 398 194 |
| Our tier | Weak-franchise mainstream | Strong mainstream |
Citroen C5 Aircross →
Launched locally in 2021 as the brand's flagship SUV, with a 1.6 turbo petrol and a clear focus on ride comfort over sportiness. The 2023 facelift pushed pricing into Tiguan territory from R633,900, and slow sales saw it dropped when Citroen trimmed its local range to two models. Used examples offer a lot of car for the money.
Known for: plush ride and lounge style seats
Volkswagen Tiguan →
VW's core family SUV in SA since 2008, now in its third generation. It holds value well by segment standards, and the 1.4 TSI versions dominate the used market thanks to their balance of economy and price.
Known for: family suv with premium feel
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Citroen C5 Aircross or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Tiguan. It keeps about 72% of its price after three years against 58% for the Citroen C5 Aircross, a gap of 14 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Citroen C5 Aircross loses about R 266 872 over three years and the Volkswagen Tiguan loses about R 184 654. 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 Citroen C5 Aircross runs about R 11 080 per month and the Volkswagen Tiguan about R 11 614, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.