Lexus LS vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 54% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| LS | S-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 2 543 600 | R 2 652 260 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 44 458/m | R 46 357/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 76% |
| Retained after 3 years | 54% | 54% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 369 444 | R 1 427 945 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 174 156 | R 1 224 315 |
| Value after 5 years | R 947 962 | R 988 458 |
| Our tier | Luxury flagship & exotic | Luxury flagship & exotic |
Lexus LS →
The LS 400 is the car that launched Lexus, and the flagship sedan was sold in South Africa in small numbers for three decades. Lexus SA confirmed the LS was discontinued at the end of 2023 after registering a single unit that year. Depreciation is severe, which makes used examples strong value for buyers who can stomach it.
Known for: flagship build quality, tiny sales
Mercedes-Benz S-Class →
Every generation of the S-Class lands in SA as the technology flagship of the whole market. New buyers are mostly chauffeur-driven executives, while used buyers get limousine luxury for a fraction of list price because depreciation is brutal. Running costs on older examples can sting.
Known for: flagship tech and chauffeur luxury
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Lexus LS or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
They are close to inseparable: 54% vs 54% 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 Lexus LS loses about R 1 174 156 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses about R 1 224 315. 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 Lexus LS runs about R 44 458 per month and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class about R 46 357, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.