Audi Q8 vs BMW X6
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
| Q8 | X6 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 968 700 | R 1 935 637 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 34 410/m | R 33 832/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 79% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 184 187 | R 1 164 299 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 784 513 | R 771 338 |
| Value after 5 years | R 874 471 | R 859 785 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Audi Q8 →
Positioned as the sportier sibling to the Q7, the Q8 arrived in South Africa in 2019 with V6 diesel and petrol power plus the RS Q8 halo model. It carries strong status appeal in the large premium SUV segment. Expect heavy depreciation in the first three years, as with most R2 million German SUVs.
Known for: flagship suv coupe presence
BMW X6 →
The X6 created the coupe SUV genre in 2008 and has kept a following in South Africa ever since. M versions carry particular status appeal locally. It depreciates faster than the X5 it is based on because the shape narrows the buyer pool.
Known for: the original coupe suv
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi Q8 or the BMW X6?
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 Q8 loses about R 784 513 over three years and the BMW X6 loses about R 771 338. 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 Q8 runs about R 34 410 per month and the BMW X6 about R 33 832, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.