Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota Fortuner
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Fortuner wins on money kept: 75% retained after three years vs 65%, worth about R 285 496 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Santa Fe | Fortuner | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 249 900 | R 692 800 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 21 846/m | R 12 109/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 81% | 87% |
| Retained after 3 years | 65% | 75% |
| Value after 3 years | R 808 462 | R 522 966 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 441 438 | R 169 834 |
| Value after 5 years | R 630 963 | R 443 454 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Workhorse bakkie & ladder-frame SUV |
Hyundai Santa Fe →
Hyundai's large SUV has been in South Africa since the early 2000s and has moved steadily upmarket. The current boxy generation is sold here as a 1.6 turbo hybrid seven-seater at a price deep in premium territory. Older diesel versions remain popular used family buys.
Known for: upmarket seven-seater that moved with the brand
Toyota Fortuner →
Built locally on the Hilux platform, the Fortuner has led the adventure SUV segment since 2006. It tows, goes off-road and handles daily family duty, which is exactly the combination South Africans buy. Used values are among the strongest of any SUV in the country.
Known for: hilux-based suv dominance
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Toyota Fortuner?
The Toyota Fortuner. It keeps about 75% of its price after three years against 65% for the Hyundai Santa Fe, a gap of 11 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Hyundai Santa Fe loses about R 441 438 over three years and the Toyota Fortuner loses about R 169 834. 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 Santa Fe runs about R 21 846 per month and the Toyota Fortuner about R 12 109, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.