Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 63% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Civic | WRX | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 725 000 | R 899 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 12 672/m | R 15 713/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 80% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 63% | 63% |
| Value after 3 years | R 453 567 | R 562 423 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 271 433 | R 336 577 |
| Value after 5 years | R 347 468 | R 430 861 |
| 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
Subaru WRX →
Split from the Impreza in 2014, the WRX carries the rally-bred turbo all-wheel-drive formula that built Subaru's local following. The current 2.4 turbo range starts at R899k in 2026, including the harder tS derivative. Enthusiast demand keeps used values firmer than mainstream Subarus.
Known for: turbo all-wheel-drive performance heritage
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda Civic or the Subaru WRX?
They are close to inseparable: 63% vs 63% 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 Civic loses about R 271 433 over three years and the Subaru WRX loses about R 336 577. 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 Subaru WRX about R 15 713, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.