They say a rising tide lifts all boats. But despite used vehicles generally going for unprecedentedly high prices these days, due to ongoing supply and demand issues on both the new- and pre-owned sides of a dealer’s lot, not all factory-fresh models can be expected to hold onto their original values as tenaciously as others.
Even in the most predictable of times deciding what a given model will be worth five years down the road is an inexact science. It’s akin to voodoo when even a 10-year-old beater used car is priced beyond reason. Fortunately, the valuation experts at the automotive research and listings site CarEdge.com have given it their best shot by analyzing millions of data points to come up with rankings on nearly 200 models to determine which ones will best (and worst) preserve their initial worth.
Choosing a model that performs well in this regard means there will be more cash to put down on a new vehicle at trade-in time or to pocket if one will eventually be winnowing down the family fleet.
As we revealed in a separate post, the vehicle that’s expected to depreciate the least over a five-year ownership period is the iconic Porsche 911 sports car, which is predicted to hold onto an average of 85 percent of its original value. The biggest loser is predicted to be the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class SUV, which should retain just 37.75 percent of its original cost after five years. Of note, all but one of the 20 models having the worst average resale values come from luxury brands, which historically retain a lower percentage of their original values than mainstream models. That’s largely due to price sensitivity among used-car buyers and the higher cost of maintenance and repairs older upscale vehicles require.
To illustrate this difference, the mainstream brand CarEdge.com says will return the lowest resale values among its entire model line is Buick, at an average of 63.15 percent, with Land Rover being the worst performing luxury nameplate at an average of 53.08 percent. By comparison, Subaru models can be expected to return the highest resale values after five years, at an industry-leading average of 78.65 percent.
We’re presenting the 20 models below that CarEdge.com data shows will lose the largest percentages of their values after five years on the road, despite the fact that due to unprecedented market forces. All data is for vehicles in good condition, averaging 12,000 miles driven per year.
1. Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
The GLS is the S-Class of SUVs, which means it’s large and handsomely designed, with a particularly elegant interior that can be loaded up with myriad fanciful features. It comes in multiple trims, including a high-performance AMG version and the ultra-plush Maybach GLS 600, all of which should take a steep dive in value.
- Assumed Price New: $116,680
- After Five Years: $44,047
- Retained Value: 37.75%
2. Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
The midsize Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a notch smaller than the above GLS, but can still seat up to seven riders in high style. A wide range of model choices run the gamut from mild to wild, with the AMG GLE 53 being the sportiest expression.
- Assumed Price New: $90,322
- After Five Years: $39,642
- Retained Value: 43.89%
3. Land Rover Range Rover
The flagship of Land Rover’s line was the first bona fide luxury SUV sold in the U.S. It’s both posh and a capable off-road performer, though it takes gumption to risk scuffing up a vehicle this expensive climbing over rocks and fallen trees. Plus, whether new or used, ownership costs are sky-high.
- Assumed Price New: $131,111
- After Five Years: $57,623
- Retained Value: 43.95%
4. BMW 7 Series
The brand’s flagship sedan is handsomely styled inside and out and is roomy enough to be used as an executive car for livery duties. Sportier than the norm, it offers a range of strong engines that include a twin-turbo V-12, but costs a bundle when new and a lot less as time goes by.
- Assumed Price New: $107,657
- After Five Years: $50,297
- Retained Value: 46.72%
5. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLA is the “four-door coupe” alternative to the brand’s A-Class sedan by virtue of its sharply raked roofline. Its AMG trim packs a hand-built 382-horsepower AMG 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
- Assumed Price New: $58,310
- After Five Years: $27,528
- Retained Value: 47.21%
6. Infiniti QX80
The full-size Infiniti QX80 can seat up to eight passengers in comfort and can traverse off-road trails when fitted with four-wheel drive. It comes packed with technology and accelerates with authority, though it loses its value just as quickly.
- Assumed Price New: $77,737
- After Five Years: $36,642
- Retained Value: 47.38%
7. Audi A8
Audi’s largest sedan is handsome and comfortable, and comes with all-wheel drive and many tech features. First owners and lessees absorb a huge chunk of its transaction price, though it’s not cheap to own as a used car, either.
- Assumed Price New: $95,553
- After Five Years: $46,286
- Retained Value: 48.44%
8. Jaguar XF
Jaguar’s lone sedan keeps up appearances with classic big-car styling, a posh cabin, and a choice of willing engines. It tends to get lost in the shuffle as the luxury market shifts toward SUVs and premium electric cars, however.
- Assumed Price New: $50,086
- After Five Years: $29,289
- Retained Value: 49.57%
9. Audi A7
The stylish Audi A7 is related to the midsize A6 but is considered a four-door coupe by virtue of its sharply sloping roofline. While that feature adds visual pizzazz, it sacrifices some rear headroom and makes back-door entry difficult.
- Assumed Price New: $79,864
- After Five Years: $40,774
- Retained Value: 51.17%
10. Audi SQ5
The Audi SQ5 is the sportiest expression of the Q5 compact SUV. While it packs a punch with its 349-horsepower turbocharged V6, it’s not quite the knockout as the top models in other European luxury rivals, except in terms of its rapidly depreciating value.
- Assumed Price New: $63,754
- After Five Years: $32,744
- Retained Value: 51.36%
11. Audi Q7
The midsize Audi Q7 luxury SUV seats up to seven across three rows, and delivers well-balanced ride and handling qualities. The top SQ7 trims get a 500-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine for maximum muscle, but they also command maximum sticker prices that deflate quickly
- Assumed Price New: $68,451
- After Five Years: $36,060
- Retained Value: 52.68%
12. Porsche Cayenne
The midsize Porsche Cayenne SUV comes wrapped in attractive bodywork that features classic Porsche design cues and seats five passengers. It likewise packs Porsche 911 performance DNA, with a choice of authoritative powertrains, including hybrids. It holds its value nowhere near as well as an actual 911, though.
- Assumed Price New: $103,367
- After Five Years: $55,219
- Retained Value: 53.42%
13. Audi A6
The midsize Audi A6 luxury sedan is a smooth and stylish performer, with standard all-wheel drive, and many high-tech features. The S6 and RS6 are the quickest and most nimble models in the line, with the latter leveraging a twin-turbo V8, but exacting a cost you’ll never see again.
- Assumed Price New: $66,377
- After Five Years: $35,744
- Retained Value: 53.85%
14. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most sophisticated and elegantly cast large sedans this side of a Rolls-Royce and can be fitted with an extensive number of advanced amenities. There’s no lack of power with either the six-cylinder or turbocharged V8 engine, with depreciation making a used model the best value.
- Assumed Price New: $127,503
- After Five Years: $68,852
- Retained Value: 54.00%
15. Porsche Panamera
At one time the idea of a four-door Porsche sedan would be heresy, but fortunately, the large and in-charge Panamera does not disappoint, except in terms of its lackluster resale value. An extensive model line includes four-door hatchback, extended-length Executive, and wagon-like Sport Turismo models, all packing powerful engines.
- Assumed Price New: $142,700
- After Five Years: $77,058
- Retained Value: 54.00%
16. BMW X5
BMW’s midsize luxury SUV is tuned on the sporty side for aggressive drivers that need a roomy and practical ride, and are willing to pay the price. It offers six-cylinder or V8 power, along with a plug-in hybrid and a high-performance X5 M version.
- Assumed Price New: $73,122
- After Five Years: $39,625
- Retained Value: 54.19%
17. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class affords an extensive model line of sedans, coupes, convertibles, and even a station wagon. It runs the gamut from plush and well-mannered to highly aggressive in its powerful AMG trims.
- Assumed Price New: $83,503
- After Five Years: $45,701
- Retained Value: 54.73%
18. BMW 5 Series
Though a worthy contender among midsize luxury/sports sedans, the BMW 5 Series loses money faster than a hard-luck gambler at a crooked casino. CarEdge.com says it would be worth maybe 20 percent of its original price after 10 years; rapid depreciation and costly repairs make it a bad bet as a vehicular investment.
- Assumed Price New: $64,289
- After Five Years: $35,308
- Retained Value: 54.92%
19. Nissan Leaf
Even with electric cars in demand because of high fuel costs, the Nissan Leaf will drop almost half its value over five years. By then its technology, and especially its range on a charge (149-226 miles, depending on the version) will have been eclipsed by newer models.
- Assumed Price New: $38,839
- After Five Years: $21,575
- Retained Value: 55.55%
20. BMW X6 M
The BMW X6 M is the top performer in the brand’s line of coupe-like alternatives to the midsize X5. It’s quick and stylish, though the sharply raked roofline eats into rear headroom and cargo space and does nothing for its sub-par resale values.
- Assumed Price New: $129,330
- After Five Years: $71,287
- Retained Value: 55.12