Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Volkswagen Touareg
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 60% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| GLE | Touareg | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 958 375 | R 1 494 300 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 34 229/m | R 26 118/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 79% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 60% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 177 976 | R 898 832 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 780 399 | R 595 468 |
| Value after 5 years | R 869 885 | R 663 749 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Premium (established) |
Mercedes-Benz GLE →
Successor to the ML from 2015, the GLE is the large family SUV of the local range in standard and coupe bodies. Diesel derivatives dominate sales, currently led by the 450d. It is a near-R2 million car new and sheds a lot of that in rand terms over the first years.
Known for: big diesel family luxury suv
Volkswagen Touareg →
VW's flagship SUV has been sold in SA since 2003 and shares its platform with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. New prices sit deep in premium territory, but depreciation is heavier than the equivalent BMW or Mercedes, which makes used examples strong value.
Known for: flagship suv tech, heavy depreciation
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Mercedes-Benz GLE or the Volkswagen Touareg?
They are close to inseparable: 60% vs 60% 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 GLE loses about R 780 399 over three years and the Volkswagen Touareg loses about R 595 468. 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 GLE runs about R 34 229 per month and the Volkswagen Touareg about R 26 118, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.