Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Volvo C40 / EC40
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
| EQA | C40 / EC40 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 235 900 | R 1 396 800 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 21 602/m | R 24 414/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 67% | 67% |
| Retained after 3 years | 44% | 44% |
| Value after 3 years | R 547 435 | R 618 704 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 688 465 | R 778 096 |
| Value after 5 years | R 369 461 | R 417 561 |
| Our tier | Premium EV | Premium EV |
Mercedes-Benz EQA →
Mercedes' entry EV arrived in 2022 as part of the local EQ launch. It sells in tiny volumes given a R1.2 million price against petrol GLAs. Like most EVs in SA, early depreciation is steep.
Known for: entry electric mercedes suv
Volvo C40 / EC40 →
Launched locally in 2022 as the C40 Recharge and renamed EC40 in 2024, this is the coupe-roofed electric sibling of the XC40. Pricing from about R1.4m limits it to a small premium EV audience. Like most expensive EVs in South Africa it depreciates quickly.
Known for: coupe-styled electric crossover
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Mercedes-Benz EQA or the Volvo C40 / EC40?
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 Mercedes-Benz EQA loses about R 688 465 over three years and the Volvo C40 / EC40 loses about R 778 096. 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 Mercedes-Benz EQA runs about R 21 602 per month and the Volvo C40 / EC40 about R 24 414, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.