Honda Ballade vs Volkswagen Polo Sedan
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Volkswagen Polo Sedan wins on money kept: 71% retained after three years vs 65%, worth about R 16 781 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Ballade | Polo Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 390 500 | R 382 600 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 6 825/m | R 6 687/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 81% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 65% | 71% |
| Value after 3 years | R 253 681 | R 270 462 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 136 819 | R 112 138 |
| Value after 5 years | R 198 465 | R 221 760 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Strong 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
Volkswagen Polo Sedan →
Revived in 2022 as an India-built sedan based on the Virtus, sharing 1.0 TSI engines with the Polo hatch. It offers one of the biggest boots in the segment and appeals to buyers who want a compact car with proper family space.
Known for: big boot on polo running gear
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda Ballade or the Volkswagen Polo Sedan?
The Volkswagen Polo Sedan. It keeps about 71% of its price after three years against 65% for the Honda Ballade, a gap of 6 points.
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 Volkswagen Polo Sedan loses about R 112 138. 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 Volkswagen Polo Sedan about R 6 687, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.