Subaru Forester 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 13 393 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Forester | Tiguan | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 699 000 | R 664 500 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 12 217/m | R 11 614/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 82% | 85% |
| Retained after 3 years | 67% | 72% |
| Value after 3 years | R 466 453 | R 479 846 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 232 547 | R 184 654 |
| Value after 5 years | R 370 446 | R 398 194 |
| Our tier | Mainstream | Strong mainstream |
Subaru Forester →
Subaru's best seller in South Africa since the late 1990s, valued for standard all-wheel drive and mechanical durability. The sixth generation launched here in 2025 from R699k with the 2.5 boxer petrol. Reliability is well regarded, but the small dealer network keeps resale a step behind the RAV4 and CR-V.
Known for: dependable awd family suv
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 Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Tiguan?
The Volkswagen Tiguan. It keeps about 72% of its price after three years against 67% for the Subaru Forester, a gap of 5 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Subaru Forester loses about R 232 547 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 Subaru Forester runs about R 12 217 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.