Infiniti Q50 vs Lexus IS
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Lexus IS wins on money kept: 60% retained after three years vs 51%, worth about R 449 192 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Q50 | IS | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 399 000 | R 1 080 400 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 6 974/m | R 18 884/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 71% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 51% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 202 262 | R 651 454 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 196 738 | R 428 946 |
| Value after 5 years | R 145 182 | R 481 760 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Premium (established) |
Infiniti Q50 →
Infiniti's volume model in SA, launched in 2014 from R399,000 with a Mercedes-sourced 2.2 diesel plus a 3.5 hybrid and later a 2.0 turbo petrol. It undercut the 3 Series and C-Class on price and standard kit. Depreciation turned brutal once the brand left in 2019, which makes it a lot of used car per rand today.
Known for: undercutting the germans on spec
Lexus IS →
The IS has been Lexus SA's compact sedan since the IS 200 arrived in 1999, building a following through the IS 250 and IS 350 F Sport years. Today it is sold only as the IS 300h hybrid at just over R1 million. Buyers pick it for reliability and spec rather than badge cachet, and clean used examples hold decent demand.
Known for: reliable hybrid alternative to german sedans
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Infiniti Q50 or the Lexus IS?
The Lexus IS. It keeps about 60% of its price after three years against 51% for the Infiniti Q50, a gap of 10 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Infiniti Q50 loses about R 196 738 over three years and the Lexus IS loses about R 428 946. 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 Infiniti Q50 runs about R 6 974 per month and the Lexus IS about R 18 884, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.