Hyundai i20 vs Volkswagen Polo
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Volkswagen Polo wins on money kept: 72% retained after three years vs 66%, worth about R 63 091 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| i20 | Polo | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 309 900 | R 373 800 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 5 417/m | R 6 533/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 85% |
| Retained after 3 years | 66% | 72% |
| Value after 3 years | R 205 836 | R 268 927 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 104 064 | R 104 873 |
| Value after 5 years | R 163 042 | R 222 698 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Strong mainstream |
Hyundai i20 →
Hyundai's Polo rival has been on sale here since 2009 and offers generous spec for the money. The current generation sells on comfort, space and warranty rather than driving thrills. Resale is respectable, if a notch below the Polo's.
Known for: well-specced polo alternative
Volkswagen Polo →
Built in Kariega for local sale and export, the Polo has been SA's benchmark compact hatch since the Playa era of the mid-1990s. GTI versions carry a strong enthusiast following, and used values hold up better than almost anything else in the class.
Known for: class-leading resale and gti heritage
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Hyundai i20 or the Volkswagen Polo?
The Volkswagen Polo. It keeps about 72% of its price after three years against 66% for the Hyundai i20, a gap of 6 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Hyundai i20 loses about R 104 064 over three years and the Volkswagen Polo loses about R 104 873. 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 i20 runs about R 5 417 per month and the Volkswagen Polo about R 6 533, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.