Audi Q7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
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
| Q7 | GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 958 000 | R 1 958 375 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 34 223/m | R 34 229/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 79% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 177 750 | R 1 177 976 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 780 250 | R 780 399 |
| Value after 5 years | R 869 719 | R 869 885 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi Q7 →
Audi's seven-seat flagship SUV has sold here since 2006 and now starts near R2 million in 55 TFSI Platinum form. Diesel 45 TDI versions did the volume work for family and towing duty over the years. Early used examples are affordable, but air suspension and electronics repairs can get expensive.
Known for: seven-seat quattro family hauler
Mercedes-Benz GLE →
Successor to the ML from 2015, the GLE is the large family SUV of the local range in standard and coupe bodies. Diesel derivatives dominate sales, currently led by the 450d. It is a near-R2 million car new and sheds a lot of that in rand terms over the first years.
Known for: big diesel family luxury suv
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi Q7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE?
They are close to inseparable: 60% 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 Q7 loses about R 780 250 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz GLE loses about R 780 399. 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 Q7 runs about R 34 223 per month and the Mercedes-Benz GLE about R 34 229, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.