DFSK C35 vs Suzuki Eeco
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Suzuki Eeco wins on money kept: 74% retained after three years vs 58%, worth about R 19 457 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| C35 | Eeco | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 265 000 | R 231 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 4 632/m | R 4 053/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 86% |
| Retained after 3 years | 58% | 74% |
| Value after 3 years | R 152 575 | R 172 032 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 112 425 | R 59 868 |
| Value after 5 years | R 114 319 | R 144 950 |
| Our tier | Chinese (new entrant) | Strong mainstream |
DFSK C35 →
DFSK's petrol panel van arrived alongside the K01S in early 2025, priced from R265,000. A 1.5 petrol engine and a boxy load bay target small businesses and delivery fleets. It undercuts established vans by a wide margin.
Known for: budget panel van for fleets
Suzuki Eeco →
Launched in 2023 at under R200,000, the Eeco gave SA its cheapest new panel van and later gained a passenger version. Small businesses use it for last-mile deliveries thanks to the frugal 1.2 petrol and roughly 600kg payload. It fills the half-ton van gap left by models like the Fiat Fiorino.
Known for: cheapest new panel van in sa
Common questions
Which holds value better, the DFSK C35 or the Suzuki Eeco?
The Suzuki Eeco. It keeps about 74% of its price after three years against 58% for the DFSK C35, a gap of 17 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The DFSK C35 loses about R 112 425 over three years and the Suzuki Eeco loses about R 59 868. 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 DFSK C35 runs about R 4 632 per month and the Suzuki Eeco about R 4 053, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.