Honda BR-V vs Suzuki XL6
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Suzuki XL6 wins on money kept: 74% retained after three years vs 67%, worth about R 5 204 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| BR-V | XL6 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 409 000 | R 361 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 7 149/m | R 6 325/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 86% |
| Retained after 3 years | 67% | 74% |
| Value after 3 years | R 272 932 | R 267 727 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 136 068 | R 94 173 |
| Value after 5 years | R 216 756 | R 225 227 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Strong mainstream |
Honda BR-V →
A seven-seat crossover built in India, the BR-V replaced the Mobilio in late 2016 and gave SA families three rows for modest money. The second generation arrived in 2022 but sales tapered off, and Honda discontinued it in early 2025. Used demand stays steady among buyers needing cheap seven-seat transport.
Known for: affordable seven-seat family transport
Suzuki XL6 →
Effectively an Ertiga with bolder styling and six seats in a 2-2-2 layout, sold here since 2021. It targets private family buyers rather than the fleet and e-hailing market. Volumes are lower than the Ertiga's, so used examples are less common.
Known for: plusher six-seat take on the ertiga
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda BR-V or the Suzuki XL6?
The Suzuki XL6. It keeps about 74% of its price after three years against 67% for the Honda BR-V, a gap of 7 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Honda BR-V loses about R 136 068 over three years and the Suzuki XL6 loses about R 94 173. 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 BR-V runs about R 7 149 per month and the Suzuki XL6 about R 6 325, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.