Honda Elevate vs Kia Sonet
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
| Elevate | Sonet | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 373 800 | R 299 995 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 6 533/m | R 5 243/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 83% | 83% |
| Retained after 3 years | 67% | 67% |
| Value after 3 years | R 251 582 | R 201 908 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 122 218 | R 98 087 |
| Value after 5 years | R 200 758 | R 161 120 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Mainstream |
Honda Elevate →
Launched in February 2024 as the WR-V's indirect replacement, the Indian-built Elevate is Honda SA's entry SUV. It uses the familiar 1.5 petrol with manual or CVT gearboxes and undercuts the HR-V by a wide margin. Early residuals look steady given Honda's reliability record, though Chinese rivals offer more kit for the money.
Known for: value-focused entry suv
Kia Sonet →
Kia's Indian-built compact crossover has been a steady seller since 2021 and shares its platform with the Hyundai Venue. The unstressed 1.5 petrol keeps running costs low, and a panel van derivative targets small businesses. Consistent demand keeps used prices reasonably firm for the class.
Known for: practical compact crossover value
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Honda Elevate or the Kia Sonet?
They are close to inseparable: 67% 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 Elevate loses about R 122 218 over three years and the Kia Sonet loses about R 98 087. 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 Elevate runs about R 6 533 per month and the Kia Sonet about R 5 243, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.