BMW i5 vs Volvo ES90
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 42% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| i5 | ES90 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 812 000 | R 1 590 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 31 671/m | R 27 791/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 65% | 65% |
| Retained after 3 years | 42% | 42% |
| Value after 3 years | R 755 187 | R 662 664 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 056 813 | R 927 336 |
| Value after 5 years | R 491 571 | R 431 345 |
| Our tier | Premium EV | Premium EV |
BMW i5 →
Launched alongside the latest 5 Series, the i5 gives South Africa an electric executive sedan, topped by the M60 performance flagship. Sales are a small fraction of the petrol and diesel 5 Series. Like most large EVs here it sheds value quickly.
Known for: electric 5 series
Volvo ES90 →
Volvo's electric sedan flagship landed in South Africa in early 2026, priced from about R1.59m in Core, Plus and Ultra trims. It effectively replaces the S90 at the top of the saloon range. Volumes will be small given local EV adoption rates.
Known for: electric successor to the s90
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW i5 or the Volvo ES90?
They are close to inseparable: 42% vs 42% 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 BMW i5 loses about R 1 056 813 over three years and the Volvo ES90 loses about R 927 336. 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 i5 runs about R 31 671 per month and the Volvo ES90 about R 27 791, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.