DFSK C35 vs Volkswagen Caddy
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Volkswagen Caddy wins on money kept: 74% retained after three years vs 58%, worth about R 272 904 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| C35 | Caddy | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 265 000 | R 573 200 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 4 632/m | R 10 019/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 86% |
| Retained after 3 years | 58% | 74% |
| Value after 3 years | R 152 575 | R 425 479 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 112 425 | R 147 721 |
| Value after 5 years | R 114 319 | R 358 622 |
| 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
Volkswagen Caddy →
The Caddy name covered a Golf-based bakkie built locally until 2007 before shifting to the van-based range sold today. Passenger Caddy and Caddy Maxi versions are popular with families and shuttle operators, while the Caddy Cargo panel van starts at R466,700 and works hard in courier fleets.
Known for: van-based family practicality
Common questions
Which holds value better, the DFSK C35 or the Volkswagen Caddy?
The Volkswagen Caddy. 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 Volkswagen Caddy loses about R 147 721. 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 Volkswagen Caddy about R 10 019, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.