Ford Fiesta vs Seat Ibiza
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Ford Fiesta wins on money kept: 66% retained after three years vs 53%, worth about R 148 181 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Fiesta | Ibiza | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 322 500 | R 123 700 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 5 637/m | R 2 162/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 73% |
| Retained after 3 years | 66% | 53% |
| Value after 3 years | R 214 205 | R 66 023 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 108 295 | R 57 677 |
| Value after 5 years | R 169 671 | R 48 547 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Orphan & discontinued |
Ford Fiesta →
Sold here from 1997 until 2022 across four generations, including local assembly in the early years. Enthusiasts remember the ST fondly and used STs still fetch decent money. Standard 1.0 EcoBoost cars are common on the used market, though resale trails the Polo it fought for two decades.
Known for: sharp handling and the st hot hatch
Seat Ibiza →
SEAT's Polo-based hatch was sold in SA from mid-2006 to 2008, from a R123,700 1.4 up to 1.8T Cupra and 1.9 TDI Cupra hot versions. Buyers got VW mechanicals in sharper Spanish clothing. Used examples are cheap and relatively easy to keep going thanks to Polo parts commonality.
Known for: polo mechanicals, spanish styling
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Ford Fiesta or the Seat Ibiza?
The Ford Fiesta. It keeps about 66% of its price after three years against 53% for the Seat Ibiza, a gap of 13 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Ford Fiesta loses about R 108 295 over three years and the Seat Ibiza loses about R 57 677. 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 Ford Fiesta runs about R 5 637 per month and the Seat Ibiza about R 2 162, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.