Audi Q8 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
| Q8 | GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 968 700 | R 1 958 375 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 34 410/m | R 34 229/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 79% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 184 187 | R 1 177 976 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 784 513 | R 780 399 |
| Value after 5 years | R 874 471 | R 869 885 |
| 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
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 Q8 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 Q8 loses about R 784 513 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 Q8 runs about R 34 410 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.