Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs BMW X3
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The BMW X3 wins on money kept: 61% retained after three years vs 54%, worth about R 57 173 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Stelvio | X3 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 338 900 | R 1 077 260 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 23 402/m | R 18 829/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 73% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 54% | 61% |
| Value after 3 years | R 716 708 | R 659 536 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 622 192 | R 417 724 |
| Value after 5 years | R 523 913 | R 492 126 |
| Our tier | Weak-franchise mainstream | Premium (established) |
Alfa Romeo Stelvio →
The Stelvio has been Alfa Romeo's volume model in South Africa since 2018, sharing the Giulia's platform and petrol engines. Pricing currently starts around R1.34 million, with the Quadrifoglio flagship above R2.2 million. It handles better than most rivals but low sales volumes mean soft resale and a thin used market.
Known for: the driver's choice among premium suvs
BMW X3 →
Built at Rosslyn since 2018 for local sale and export, the X3 is BMW South Africa's most important model. It fights the Mercedes GLC and Audi Q5 and is the brand's biggest local seller. Steady used demand keeps trade-in values healthier than most premium rivals.
Known for: locally built and bmw sa's biggest seller
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or the BMW X3?
The BMW X3. It keeps about 61% of its price after three years against 54% for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, a gap of 8 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio loses about R 622 192 over three years and the BMW X3 loses about R 417 724. 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 Alfa Romeo Stelvio runs about R 23 402 per month and the BMW X3 about R 18 829, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.