Hyundai Atos vs Suzuki S-Presso
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 65% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Atos | S-Presso | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 199 900 | R 178 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 3 494/m | R 3 127/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 81% | 81% |
| Retained after 3 years | 65% | 65% |
| Value after 3 years | R 129 846 | R 116 205 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 70 054 | R 62 695 |
| Value after 5 years | R 101 929 | R 91 221 |
| Our tier | Budget & entry level | Budget & entry level |
Hyundai Atos →
Twice Hyundai SA's cheapest car, first from 1998 to 2013 and again from 2019 to 2023. The relaunched Santro-based model paired a 1.1 petrol with decent safety kit for the money. Stock ran out early in 2023 and the Exter later took its slot.
Known for: bare-bones cheap wheels twice over
Suzuki S-Presso →
South Africa's cheapest new car for much of its life, the S-Presso arrived in 2020 and became a fixture at the top of the entry-level sales charts. Buyers pick it for the low purchase price, sub-5L/100km economy and cheap parts. Because so many first-time buyers shop at this price point, used examples move quickly.
Known for: rock-bottom pricing and running costs
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Hyundai Atos or the Suzuki S-Presso?
They are close to inseparable: 65% vs 65% 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 Hyundai Atos loses about R 70 054 over three years and the Suzuki S-Presso loses about R 62 695. 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 Hyundai Atos runs about R 3 494 per month and the Suzuki S-Presso about R 3 127, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.