Dodge Nitro vs Nissan X-Trail
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Nissan X-Trail wins on money kept: 67% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 280 320 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Nitro | X-Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 339 900 | R 687 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 5 941/m | R 12 023/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 73% | 82% |
| Retained after 3 years | 53% | 67% |
| Value after 3 years | R 178 726 | R 459 046 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 161 174 | R 228 854 |
| Value after 5 years | R 130 500 | R 364 563 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Mainstream |
Dodge Nitro →
Boxy styling set the Nitro apart when it launched in SA in mid-2007 with 3.7 V6 petrol and 2.8 CRD options from R339,900. It shared its platform with the Jeep Cherokee but never matched those sales. A short local run and orphan status keep used prices low and selling times long.
Known for: boxy styling with cherokee bones
Nissan X-Trail →
On sale since late 2001, the X-Trail has evolved from boxy soft-roader to seven-seat family crossover and has passed 50,000 local sales across four generations. The current model offers strong spec for the money but sells in small volumes. Earlier generations remain popular used buys for their space and durability.
Known for: practical family suv value
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Dodge Nitro or the Nissan X-Trail?
The Nissan X-Trail. It keeps about 67% of its price after three years against 53% for the Dodge Nitro, a gap of 14 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Dodge Nitro loses about R 161 174 over three years and the Nissan X-Trail loses about R 228 854. 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 Dodge Nitro runs about R 5 941 per month and the Nissan X-Trail about R 12 023, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.