Audi A6 vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Audi A6 wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 56%, worth about R 44 528 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A6 | E-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 184 100 | R 1 331 478 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 20 696/m | R 23 272/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 77% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 56% |
| Value after 3 years | R 705 682 | R 750 210 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 478 418 | R 581 268 |
| Value after 5 years | R 518 290 | R 533 167 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi A6 →
Audi's executive sedan fought the 5 Series and E-Class locally through several generations before quietly dropping off the new-car price lists around 2024, with a new generation expected back by 2027. It built its name on comfortable cruising and strong diesel engines. Depreciation is steep, so used A6s deliver a lot of car for the money.
Known for: comfortable long-distance executive cruiser
Mercedes-Benz E-Class →
The E-Class has long been the choice of established professionals who find the C-Class too small. Recent generations sell in modest numbers new but keep a solid reputation for comfort and technology. Depreciation is heavy in the first few years, typical of large German sedans.
Known for: comfort-first executive sedan
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A6 or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
The Audi A6. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 56% for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a gap of 3 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Audi A6 loses about R 478 418 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class loses about R 581 268. 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 A6 runs about R 20 696 per month and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class about R 23 272, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.