Honda Ballade vs Nissan Almera
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 65% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Ballade | Almera | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 390 500 | R 291 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 6 825/m | R 5 102/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 81% | 81% |
| Retained after 3 years | 65% | 65% |
| Value after 3 years | R 253 681 | R 189 627 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 136 819 | R 102 273 |
| Value after 5 years | R 198 465 | R 148 353 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Mainstream |
Honda Ballade →
Few nameplates have deeper SA roots: Mercedes-Benz SA built Civic-based Ballades locally from 1982 until Honda took over its own distribution in 2000. The name returned in 2011 on a City-based compact sedan and soldiered on until Honda dropped it in early 2025 as sedan demand faded. Used examples are valued as dependable, low-cost commuter cars.
Known for: long sa history and dependable commuting
Nissan Almera →
Two separate Almeras sold here: the N16 sedan from 2001, and the Indian-built budget sedan that ran from August 2013 until imports ended in 2023. The later car found a niche with e-hailing operators thanks to its big boot and low running costs. It was one of the last sub-R300k sedans on the SA market.
Known for: no-frills sedan favoured by e-hailing drivers
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda Ballade or the Nissan Almera?
They are close to inseparable: 65% vs 65% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Honda Ballade loses about R 136 819 over three years and the Nissan Almera loses about R 102 273. 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 Honda Ballade runs about R 6 825 per month and the Nissan Almera about R 5 102, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.