BMW 5 Series vs Toyota Crown
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Crown wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 56%, worth about R 153 377 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| 5 Series | Crown | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 286 731 | R 948 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 22 490/m | R 16 570/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 77% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 56% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 724 997 | R 571 620 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 561 734 | R 376 380 |
| Value after 5 years | R 515 249 | R 422 722 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
BMW 5 Series →
A long-running executive staple, the 5 Series has been sold new in South Africa across every generation since the mid-1990s. The 520d and 530d diesels were the volume picks for years, and the current range is topped by the plug-in hybrid M5. Used examples are plentiful and prices fall quickly once the motor plan ends.
Known for: executive sedan with strong badge status
Toyota Crown →
Toyota brought the Crown crossover sedan to South Africa in late 2023 in small allocations that sold out quickly. The 2.5 Hybrid E-Four listed at R948,000 in 2025. It offers Lexus-grade refinement with a Toyota badge, though rarity makes it an unusual sight and a niche used buy.
Known for: left-field premium hybrid in tiny numbers
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW 5 Series or the Toyota Crown?
The Toyota Crown. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 56% for the BMW 5 Series, a gap of 4 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BMW 5 Series loses about R 561 734 over three years and the Toyota Crown loses about R 376 380. 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 BMW 5 Series runs about R 22 490 per month and the Toyota Crown about R 16 570, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.