Honda Civic vs Toyota GR Yaris
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota GR Yaris wins on money kept: 70% retained after three years vs 63%, worth about R 212 029 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Civic | GR Yaris | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 725 000 | R 951 600 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 12 672/m | R 16 632/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 80% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 63% | 70% |
| Value after 3 years | R 453 567 | R 665 596 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 271 433 | R 286 004 |
| Value after 5 years | R 347 468 | R 542 492 |
| 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 GR Yaris →
A homologation special with a turbocharged three-cylinder and all-wheel drive, sold here in limited numbers since 2021. Allocations sold out quickly at launch and the facelifted car now costs close to R1 million. Supply constraints have kept used values unusually strong for a performance car.
Known for: rally-bred all-wheel-drive hot hatch
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda Civic or the Toyota GR Yaris?
The Toyota GR Yaris. It keeps about 70% of its price after three years against 63% for the Honda Civic, a gap of 7 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 GR Yaris loses about R 286 004. 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 GR Yaris about R 16 632, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.