Honda Civic vs Mazda Mazda3
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Mazda Mazda3 wins on money kept: 66% retained after three years vs 63%, worth about R 125 512 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Civic | Mazda3 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 725 000 | R 498 300 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 12 672/m | R 8 709/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 80% | 82% |
| Retained after 3 years | 63% | 66% |
| Value after 3 years | R 453 567 | R 328 055 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 271 433 | R 170 245 |
| Value after 5 years | R 347 468 | R 258 569 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Mainstream |
Honda Civic →
Honda's best-known nameplate arrived in SA under its own badge in 2001 after decades of Civic-based Ballades. Sedan and hatch generations came and went, and the local range now consists of the turbocharged Civic RS and the Type R hot hatch, the latter priced over R1 million. Buyers rate it for solid build and engines that run forever, so clean used examples sell quickly.
Known for: bulletproof engines and strong resale
Mazda Mazda3 →
Sold in South Africa since 2004 across four generations, the Mazda3 is the brand's Golf and Corolla rival. The current car gets credit for a near-premium interior, but Mazda SA has trimmed the range to a handful of hatch derivatives as buyers migrate to SUVs. Used examples are dependable, though resale trails the German badges.
Known for: upmarket cabin and dependable ownership
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda Civic or the Mazda Mazda3?
The Mazda Mazda3. It keeps about 66% of its price after three years against 63% for the Honda Civic, a gap of 3 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Honda Civic loses about R 271 433 over three years and the Mazda Mazda3 loses about R 170 245. 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 Civic runs about R 12 672 per month and the Mazda Mazda3 about R 8 709, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.