Mazda Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Corolla wins on money kept: 70% retained after three years vs 66%, worth about R 86 077 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Mazda3 | Corolla | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 498 300 | R 590 200 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 8 709/m | R 10 316/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 66% | 70% |
| Value after 3 years | R 328 055 | R 414 132 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 170 245 | R 176 068 |
| Value after 5 years | R 258 569 | R 338 143 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Strong mainstream |
Mazda Mazda3 →
Sold in South Africa since 2004 across four generations, the Mazda3 is the brand's Golf and Corolla rival. The current car gets credit for a near-premium interior, but Mazda SA has trimmed the range to a handful of hatch derivatives as buyers migrate to SUVs. Used examples are dependable, though resale trails the German badges.
Known for: upmarket cabin and dependable ownership
Toyota Corolla →
The Corolla has been a fixture of South African driveways since the 1970s and was built locally for much of that time. Today it sells as an imported sedan and hatch with petrol and hybrid power, positioned well above the budget Quest that used to carry the old shape. Buyers trust it for low running costs and it remains one of the easiest used cars to sell.
Known for: bulletproof reliability and easy resale
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Mazda Mazda3 or the Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla. It keeps about 70% of its price after three years against 66% for the Mazda Mazda3, a gap of 4 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Mazda Mazda3 loses about R 170 245 over three years and the Toyota Corolla loses about R 176 068. 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 Mazda3 runs about R 8 709 per month and the Toyota Corolla about R 10 316, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.