Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Corolla wins on money kept: 70% retained after three years vs 63%, worth about R 39 435 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Civic | Corolla | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 725 000 | R 590 200 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 12 672/m | R 10 316/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 80% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 63% | 70% |
| Value after 3 years | R 453 567 | R 414 132 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 271 433 | R 176 068 |
| Value after 5 years | R 347 468 | R 338 143 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Strong 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
Toyota Corolla →
The Corolla has been a fixture of South African driveways since the 1970s and was built locally for much of that time. Today it sells as an imported sedan and hatch with petrol and hybrid power, positioned well above the budget Quest that used to carry the old shape. Buyers trust it for low running costs and it remains one of the easiest used cars to sell.
Known for: bulletproof reliability and easy resale
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda Civic or the Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla. It keeps about 70% of its price after three years against 63% for the Honda Civic, a gap of 8 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 Toyota Corolla loses about R 176 068. 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 Toyota Corolla about R 10 316, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.