Toyota Corolla Quest vs Volkswagen Polo Sedan
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 71% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Corolla Quest | Polo Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 336 000 | R 382 600 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 5 873/m | R 6 687/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 84% | 84% |
| Retained after 3 years | 71% | 71% |
| Value after 3 years | R 237 520 | R 270 462 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 98 480 | R 112 138 |
| Value after 5 years | R 194 750 | R 221 760 |
| Our tier | Strong mainstream | Strong mainstream |
Toyota Corolla Quest →
Toyota SA's clever trick of keeping the outgoing locally built Corolla in production at a sharply reduced price. Two generations of Quest ran from 2014 until around 2025, when final pricing started at R336,000. Fleet buyers, ride-hailing drivers and families bought them in huge numbers, and the used supply is deep with values that hold firm.
Known for: previous-gen corolla at a discount
Volkswagen Polo Sedan →
Revived in 2022 as an India-built sedan based on the Virtus, sharing 1.0 TSI engines with the Polo hatch. It offers one of the biggest boots in the segment and appeals to buyers who want a compact car with proper family space.
Known for: big boot on polo running gear
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Toyota Corolla Quest or the Volkswagen Polo Sedan?
They are close to inseparable: 71% vs 71% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Toyota Corolla Quest loses about R 98 480 over three years and the Volkswagen Polo Sedan loses about R 112 138. 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 Toyota Corolla Quest runs about R 5 873 per month and the Volkswagen Polo Sedan about R 6 687, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.