Mercedes-Benz EQB vs Volvo XC40
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Volvo XC40 wins on money kept: 61% retained after three years vs 44%, worth about R 149 651 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| EQB | XC40 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 374 500 | R 750 000 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 24 024/m | R 13 109/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 67% | 80% |
| Retained after 3 years | 44% | 61% |
| Value after 3 years | R 608 827 | R 459 176 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 765 673 | R 290 824 |
| Value after 5 years | R 410 894 | R 342 624 |
| Our tier | Premium EV | Premium (established) |
Mercedes-Benz EQB →
The seven-seat companion to the EQA, sold here since 2022 in 350 4Matic form. Volumes are minimal in a market with limited charging infrastructure. Used examples shed value quickly.
Known for: seven-seat electric compact suv
Volvo XC40 →
Volvo's best-selling model in South Africa since its 2018 launch, and winner of the 2019 SA Car of the Year award. It now sells as a mild-hybrid petrol from about R750k, and a pure-electric version was also offered locally. Resale holds up better than the brand's sedans, though German rivals still outsell it.
Known for: safety-led compact suv and sa car of the year
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Mercedes-Benz EQB or the Volvo XC40?
The Volvo XC40. It keeps about 61% of its price after three years against 44% for the Mercedes-Benz EQB, a gap of 17 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Mercedes-Benz EQB loses about R 765 673 over three years and the Volvo XC40 loses about R 290 824. 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 EQB runs about R 24 024 per month and the Volvo XC40 about R 13 109, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.