Datsun Go vs Renault Kwid
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Renault Kwid wins on money kept: 59% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 7 516 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Go | Kwid | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 184 600 | R 178 799 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 3 227/m | R 3 125/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 73% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 53% | 59% |
| Value after 3 years | R 98 528 | R 106 044 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 86 072 | R 72 755 |
| Value after 5 years | R 72 448 | R 81 469 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Weak-franchise mainstream |
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
Renault Kwid →
Renault's cheapest model and one of the cheapest new cars in South Africa, built in India on the CMF-A platform. It sells in big numbers to first-time buyers and e-hailing drivers thanks to low instalments and SUV-inspired looks. Early cars scored poorly in crash tests and resale is soft, but sheer affordability keeps demand steady.
Known for: rock-bottom pricing with suv-look styling
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Datsun Go or the Renault Kwid?
The Renault Kwid. It keeps about 59% of its price after three years against 53% for the Datsun Go, a gap of 6 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Datsun Go loses about R 86 072 over three years and the Renault Kwid loses about R 72 755. 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 Datsun Go runs about R 3 227 per month and the Renault Kwid about R 3 125, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.