Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz EQC
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 44% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| I-Pace | EQC | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 2 005 100 | R 1 575 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 35 046/m | R 27 528/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 67% | 67% |
| Retained after 3 years | 44% | 44% |
| Value after 3 years | R 888 147 | R 697 637 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 116 953 | R 877 363 |
| Value after 5 years | R 599 406 | R 470 832 |
| Our tier | Premium EV | Premium EV |
Jaguar I-Pace →
South Africa's first premium electric SUV arrived in March 2019 and won World Car of the Year, but high pricing and thin charging infrastructure kept sales tiny. Production ended in 2024 as Jaguar reset for its electric relaunch. Used values have collapsed, making it one of the fastest-depreciating cars in the country.
Known for: award-winning early ev, brutal depreciation
Mercedes-Benz EQC →
Mercedes' first modern EV reached SA in 2022 at around R1.58 million and was discontinued globally soon afterwards. Few were sold locally. Used values have dropped sharply, as is typical of first-generation EVs.
Known for: short-lived first mercedes ev
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Jaguar I-Pace or the Mercedes-Benz EQC?
They are close to inseparable: 44% vs 44% 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 Jaguar I-Pace loses about R 1 116 953 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz EQC loses about R 877 363. 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 Jaguar I-Pace runs about R 35 046 per month and the Mercedes-Benz EQC about R 27 528, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.