Audi A6 vs Saab 9-5
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 49%, worth about R 520 587 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A6 | 9-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 184 100 | R 374 020 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 20 696/m | R 6 537/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 71% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 49% |
| Value after 3 years | R 705 682 | R 185 094 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 478 418 | R 188 926 |
| Value after 5 years | R 518 290 | R 131 381 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Orphan & discontinued |
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
Saab 9-5 →
The bigger Saab sold here from the late 1990s until around 2009, mostly in 2.3 turbo Arc and Aero trim with wagons among the sought-after survivors. The all-new 2010 9-5 never officially reached SA because the importer arrangement collapsed. Cheap to buy now, but condition and service history are everything.
Known for: aero turbo comfort, cheap entry
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A6 or the Saab 9-5?
The Audi A6. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 49% for the Saab 9-5, a gap of 10 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 Saab 9-5 loses about R 188 926. 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 Saab 9-5 about R 6 537, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.