Fiat 500 vs smart fortwo
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Fiat 500 wins on money kept: 58% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 84 343 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 500 | fortwo | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 308 900 | R 174 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 5 399/m | R 3 057/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 73% |
| Retained after 3 years | 58% | 53% |
| Value after 3 years | R 177 693 | R 93 350 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 131 207 | R 81 550 |
| Value after 5 years | R 134 496 | R 68 641 |
| Our tier | Weak-franchise mainstream | Orphan & discontinued |
Fiat 500 →
On sale from 2008 until Fiat's local exit, the retro 500 was the brand's longest-serving and final model here, including the 500C soft top. A 2024 update swapped the TwinAir for a 1.2 normally aspirated engine with an automatic-only line-up from R308,900. The last new units were sold in February 2026 as Fiat withdrew from South Africa.
Known for: retro city car charm
smart fortwo →
Sold in SA in two stints, through the 2000s and again from May 2016 at R174,900 until the brand's local exit around 2019. The two-seater was clever in town but pricey for its size, and buyers largely stayed away. Used examples are cheap, though parts and specialist support are limited.
Known for: two-seat city parking champion
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Fiat 500 or the smart fortwo?
The Fiat 500. It keeps about 58% of its price after three years against 53% for the smart fortwo, a gap of 4 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Fiat 500 loses about R 131 207 over three years and the smart fortwo loses about R 81 550. 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 Fiat 500 runs about R 5 399 per month and the smart fortwo about R 3 057, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.