Geely Emgrand EC7 vs Toyota Corolla Quest
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Corolla Quest wins on money kept: 71% retained after three years vs 52%, worth about R 160 777 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Emgrand EC7 | Corolla Quest | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 149 000 | R 336 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 2 604/m | R 5 873/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 72% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 52% | 71% |
| Value after 3 years | R 76 743 | R 237 520 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 72 257 | R 98 480 |
| Value after 5 years | R 55 496 | R 194 750 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Strong mainstream |
Geely Emgrand EC7 →
Geely's first-stint flagship sedan launched in 2013 from about R149,000 with a generous spec sheet. It sold in modest numbers before the brand's quiet exit in the mid-2010s. Used examples are cheap and parts come through a dedicated importer rather than a dealer network.
Known for: sub-r150k budget sedan of 2013
Toyota Corolla Quest →
Toyota SA's clever trick of keeping the outgoing locally built Corolla in production at a sharply reduced price. Two generations of Quest ran from 2014 until around 2025, when final pricing started at R336,000. Fleet buyers, ride-hailing drivers and families bought them in huge numbers, and the used supply is deep with values that hold firm.
Known for: previous-gen corolla at a discount
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Geely Emgrand EC7 or the Toyota Corolla Quest?
The Toyota Corolla Quest. It keeps about 71% of its price after three years against 52% for the Geely Emgrand EC7, a gap of 19 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Geely Emgrand EC7 loses about R 72 257 over three years and the Toyota Corolla Quest loses about R 98 480. 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 Geely Emgrand EC7 runs about R 2 604 per month and the Toyota Corolla Quest about R 5 873, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.