BMW X5 vs Infiniti FX
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The BMW X5 wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 52%, worth about R 739 585 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| X5 | FX | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 814 637 | R 679 131 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 31 717/m | R 11 870/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 72% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 52% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 091 517 | R 351 932 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 723 120 | R 327 199 |
| Value after 5 years | R 806 039 | R 255 223 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Orphan & discontinued |
BMW X5 →
One of the first premium SUVs in South Africa, the X5 has been on sale since 2000 and remains a status benchmark. The xDrive30d diesel has been the perennial volume derivative. It is a used-market staple, though out-of-plan running costs on older examples are high.
Known for: the original premium suv staple
Infiniti FX →
Part of Infiniti's mid-2012 SA launch range, the FX offered 3.7 V6, 3.0 diesel and 5.0 V8 versions priced from R679,131 to R859,513. Its swooping styling stood out against the X5 and X6 crowd. The nameplate became QX70 in 2014 under Infiniti's renaming scheme.
Known for: muscular styling and v8 option
Common questions
Which holds value better, the BMW X5 or the Infiniti FX?
The BMW X5. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 52% for the Infiniti FX, a gap of 8 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The BMW X5 loses about R 723 120 over three years and the Infiniti FX loses about R 327 199. 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 X5 runs about R 31 717 per month and the Infiniti FX about R 11 870, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.