Mazda CX-5 vs Volkswagen Tiguan
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Volkswagen Tiguan wins on money kept: 72% retained after three years vs 67%, worth about R 99 143 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| CX-5 | Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 570 500 | R 664 500 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 9 971/m | R 11 614/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 85% |
| Retained after 3 years | 67% | 72% |
| Value after 3 years | R 380 703 | R 479 846 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 189 797 | R 184 654 |
| Value after 5 years | R 302 345 | R 398 194 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Strong mainstream |
Mazda CX-5 →
Mazda's best seller in South Africa since it landed in 2012, fighting the Tiguan, RAV4 and Sportage. Earlier ranges offered 2.5 petrol and 2.2 diesel options, but the current lineup centres on the 2.0 petrol automatic. It is a dependable used buy with decent, if not Toyota-level, resale.
Known for: reliable family suv and brand best seller
Volkswagen Tiguan →
VW's core family SUV in SA since 2008, now in its third generation. It holds value well by segment standards, and the 1.4 TSI versions dominate the used market thanks to their balance of economy and price.
Known for: family suv with premium feel
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Mazda CX-5 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Tiguan. It keeps about 72% of its price after three years against 67% for the Mazda CX-5, a gap of 5 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Mazda CX-5 loses about R 189 797 over three years and the Volkswagen Tiguan loses about R 184 654. 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 Mazda CX-5 runs about R 9 971 per month and the Volkswagen Tiguan about R 11 614, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.