BMW iX1 vs Toyota bZ4X
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota bZ4X wins on money kept: 47% retained after three years vs 44%, worth about R 18 925 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| iX1 | bZ4X | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 210 000 | R 1 182 800 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 21 149/m | R 20 673/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 67% | 69% |
| Retained after 3 years | 44% | 47% |
| Value after 3 years | R 535 962 | R 554 888 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 674 038 | R 627 912 |
| Value after 5 years | R 361 718 | R 384 461 |
| Our tier | Premium EV | Premium EV |
BMW iX1 →
As the electric twin of the X1, the iX1 has been the most attainable end of BMW's EV range in South Africa since 2023. It is among the brand's better-selling EVs locally. Resale still trails the petrol X1 by a wide margin.
Known for: bmw's most attainable ev
Toyota bZ4X →
Toyota's first battery electric model reached South Africa in late 2025, priced from just under R1.2 million. It is a RAV4-sized SUV competing in a small but growing local EV market. Volumes are tiny while charging infrastructure and pricing limit demand, so depreciation is expected to be steep.
Known for: toyota's first ev in south africa
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW iX1 or the Toyota bZ4X?
The Toyota bZ4X. It keeps about 47% of its price after three years against 44% for the BMW iX1, a gap of 3 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BMW iX1 loses about R 674 038 over three years and the Toyota bZ4X loses about R 627 912. 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 iX1 runs about R 21 149 per month and the Toyota bZ4X about R 20 673, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.