Mahindra KUV100 vs Suzuki S-Presso
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Suzuki S-Presso wins on money kept: 65% retained after three years vs 59%, worth about R 13 601 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| KUV100 | S-Presso | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 172 999 | R 178 900 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 3 024/m | R 3 127/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 77% | 81% |
| Retained after 3 years | 59% | 65% |
| Value after 3 years | R 102 604 | R 116 205 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 70 395 | R 62 695 |
| Value after 5 years | R 78 826 | R 91 221 |
| Our tier | Weak-franchise mainstream | Budget & entry level |
Mahindra KUV100 →
Mahindra pitched the KUV100 as a mini SUV, though it really competed with budget hatchbacks from 2016 until it was quietly dropped in 2023. The Nxt update added kit and pricing stayed under R180k to the end. It is a cheap used buy backed by a growing dealer network.
Known for: cheap quirky city runabout
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 Mahindra KUV100 or the Suzuki S-Presso?
The Suzuki S-Presso. It keeps about 65% of its price after three years against 59% for the Mahindra KUV100, a gap of 6 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Mahindra KUV100 loses about R 70 395 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 Mahindra KUV100 runs about R 3 024 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.