Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 67% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| CR-V | Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 961 300 | R 699 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 16 802/m | R 12 217/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 81% | 82% |
| Retained after 3 years | 65% | 67% |
| Value after 3 years | R 625 158 | R 466 453 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 336 142 | R 232 547 |
| Value after 5 years | R 489 379 | R 370 446 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Mainstream |
Honda CR-V →
One of the original soft-roaders, the CR-V has been sold in SA since 1997 and is now in its sixth generation. Once a mid-priced family staple, it has moved upmarket and the current range starts near the R1 million mark. Older generations are sought after used because they routinely run past 300,000 km.
Known for: dependable family suv longevity
Subaru Forester →
Subaru's best seller in South Africa since the late 1990s, valued for standard all-wheel drive and mechanical durability. The sixth generation launched here in 2025 from R699k with the 2.5 boxer petrol. Reliability is well regarded, but the small dealer network keeps resale a step behind the RAV4 and CR-V.
Known for: dependable awd family suv
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?
They are close to inseparable: 65% vs 67% 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 CR-V loses about R 336 142 over three years and the Subaru Forester loses about R 232 547. 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 CR-V runs about R 16 802 per month and the Subaru Forester about R 12 217, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.