Audi A4 vs Lexus IS
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 60% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A4 | IS | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 774 800 | R 1 080 400 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 13 542/m | R 18 884/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 78% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 59% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 453 682 | R 651 454 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 321 118 | R 428 946 |
| Value after 5 years | R 329 778 | R 481 760 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi A4 →
For three decades the A4 was Audi's core sedan in South Africa, running through five generations from 1995 until the new A5 replaced it in 2025. Buyers knew it for refinement and solid build rather than outright sportiness. Used examples are plentiful and prices are soft, making it a common value buy among premium sedans.
Known for: refined quattro executive staple
Lexus IS →
The IS has been Lexus SA's compact sedan since the IS 200 arrived in 1999, building a following through the IS 250 and IS 350 F Sport years. Today it is sold only as the IS 300h hybrid at just over R1 million. Buyers pick it for reliability and spec rather than badge cachet, and clean used examples hold decent demand.
Known for: reliable hybrid alternative to german sedans
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A4 or the Lexus IS?
They are close to inseparable: 59% vs 60% 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 Audi A4 loses about R 321 118 over three years and the Lexus IS loses about R 428 946. 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 Audi A4 runs about R 13 542 per month and the Lexus IS about R 18 884, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.