Jeep Gladiator vs Volkswagen Amarok
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Volkswagen Amarok wins on money kept: 75% retained after three years vs 55%, worth about R 341 931 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Gladiator | Amarok | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 427 900 | R 596 800 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 24 957/m | R 10 431/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 75% | 87% |
| Retained after 3 years | 55% | 75% |
| Value after 3 years | R 792 430 | R 450 499 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 635 470 | R 146 301 |
| Value after 5 years | R 589 439 | R 382 006 |
| Our tier | Weak-franchise mainstream | Workhorse bakkie & ladder-frame SUV |
Jeep Gladiator →
The Gladiator arrived in South Africa in 2022 as a Rubicon-only 3.6 V6, priced at launch as the most expensive double cab on the market. It is essentially a Wrangler with a load bed and matches serious off-road hardware with niche appeal. Current pricing sits around R1.43 million and volumes remain tiny.
Known for: wrangler dna in bakkie form
Volkswagen Amarok →
The second-generation Amarok is built by Ford in Silverton alongside the Ranger, sharing its platform and engines. The first generation earned a reputation for car-like road manners and a strong 3.0 V6 TDI. Resale is solid even though it trails the Hilux and Ranger in outright sales volume.
Known for: car-like refinement in a bakkie
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Jeep Gladiator or the Volkswagen Amarok?
The Volkswagen Amarok. It keeps about 75% of its price after three years against 55% for the Jeep Gladiator, a gap of 20 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Jeep Gladiator loses about R 635 470 over three years and the Volkswagen Amarok loses about R 146 301. 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 Jeep Gladiator runs about R 24 957 per month and the Volkswagen Amarok about R 10 431, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.