10 U.S. cars with the lowest re-sale value

Some cars lose in value faster than others for some reasons. Some buyers are deterred by this, while some are motivated to acquire the vehicle. For there are quite gorgeous – modern and reliable – items among the cars that happen to lose in re-sale value quicker.

All boats rise with the tide, as they say. However, despite the fact that used cars these days have pretty high price tags on them, not all recent models retain their value over time.

Making predictions as to what the price of a specific car will be in three to five years, even in more stable times, is no easy task to say the least. To come up with some trustworthy stats, the experts of automotive portal CarEdge.com have analyzed millions of data points. This led them to identify which of the new cars are best (and worst) at retaining their initial price. Eight years prior, financial resource GoBankingRates did something very similar. Professionals at Columbus summed up the data from both of the aforementioned sources. Hopefully, the readers will find this comparison interesting and informative.

10 cars that will lose in value faster than others: data from CarEdge, 2022

One vehicle, which is, supposedly, less likely to lose in value inside a five-year stretch is a cult classic, Porsche 911. According to CarEdge, it will maintain up to 85% of its initial price tag. Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV will lose the most, floating around 37,75% of the price after the first sale.

It is worth mentioning that all, but one, of the cars on the list are of the luxury segment. This is largely connected with the buyer’s sensitivity to second-hand vehicles’ prices and rather expensive maintenance and repair works of the high-end cars.

To prove this point, CarEdge.com reports that the lowest re-sale price among carmakers is of the Buick, 63,15% on average. As for luxurious vehicles, automotive professionals single out Land Rover, which keeps only 53,08% of its price after five years.

For comparison: it is very likely that Subaru cars will save about 78,65% of initial price in five years.

Below you can see the names of 10 cars that will, according to CarEdge.com, lose the biggest share of their initial prices within five years. All information concerns automobiles in good condition with average mileage of 12,000 miles per year.

1. Mercedes-Benz GLS

GLS is an S-class SUV, which means it’s big and good-looking, with elegant interior, stuffed with a variety of helpful features. It’s been made in several builds, including the high-performance AMG version, and the “ultra-plush” Maybach GLS 600. Sadly, each of them will eventually lose in value big time.

• Recommended price for new: $116,680

• Price in five years: $44,047

• Residual value: 37,75%

2. Land Rover Range Rover

The flagship of the Land Rover line was the first, truly luxury SUV sold in the United States. It is both posh and capable of taking on the challenges of the actual off-road. However, it takes a very exalted kind of guy to ruin such an expensive automobile by climbing rocks and overcoming trenches. No matter if it’s a brand-new or a second-hand car, the price tag is way up there either way.

• Recommended price for new: $131,111

• Price in five years: $57,623

• Residual value: 43,95%

3. BMW 7 Series

Flagship sedan of the German brand has equally stunning exterior and interior, with plenty of room inside to boot, so it can be used as a premium class vehicle. More sporty than other cars, it comes with a selection of high-powered engines, including a twin-turbocharged V-12. This slick “rocket” will decrease in value over time, sadly.

• Recommended price for new: $107,657

• Price in five years: $50,297

• Residual value: 46,72%

4. Infiniti QX80

Full-size QX80 can comfortably fit in up to eight passengers, and can beat the off-road when equipped with AWD. Pretty technologically advanced, it lunges forward quite rapidly, but loses in price as fast as it moves.

• Recommended price for new: $77,737

• Price in five years: $36,642

• Residual value: 47,38%

5. Jaguar XF

The only sedan to remain loyal to the classic style. This is a large vehicle with luxurious interior and pretty good choice of engines. But it gets lost in the hustle, which is caused the luxury-on-wheels market drifting towards the segments of SUVs and premium-class electric cars.

• Recommended price for new: $50,086

• Price in five years: $29,289

• Residual value: 49,57%

6. Porsche Cayenne

Medium-size SUV, Porsche Cayenne is pleasing to the eye thanks to its curvy bodylines with recognizable traits of the German maker’s design. Up to five passengers can sit comfortably inside the automobile. The car inherited the Porsche DNA: powerful engines command respect, with hybrids also available. Nonetheless, Cayenne is not as stable with its re-sale price as 911.

• Recommended price for new: $103,367

• Price in five years: $55,219

• Residual value: 53,42%

7. Audi A6

Posh mid-size sedan, Audi A6 is a slick and stylish car with all-wheels drive and handful of high-tech features. S6 and RS6 are the fastest models in this line, equipped with twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Maintenance of such a beast has a hefty price.

• Recommended price for new: $66,377

• Price in five years: $35,744

• Residual value: 53,85%

8. Mercedes-Benz S-class

Flagship Mercedes-Benz S-class is one of the most technologically advanced and large sedans after Rolls-Royce, and can be fitted with abundance of additional features. There’s no shortage of horsepower in neither the V6 engine, nor the twin-turbocharged V8. All this luxury amounts to a feasible toll.

• Recommended price for new: $127,503

• Price in five years: $68,852

• Residual value: 54,00%

9. Porsche Panamera

A while back, a mere thought of a 4-door Porsche sedan sounded ridiculous. Fortunately, though, the big and powerful Panamera does not disappoint. Well, maybe from the standpoint of its low re-sale value it does. Wide model range includes a 4-door hatchback, prolonged premium models, and a “universal” Sport Turismo. They all come with powerful engines, and are anything but cheap to maintain.

• Recommended price for new: $142,700

• Price in five years: $77,058

• Residual value: 54,00%

10. Nissan Leaf

Despite the high demand for electric cars due to skyrocketing fuel prices, Nissan Leaf’s value will decrease by almost 50% in five years. By that time, its technology and range (149-226 miles depending on the build) will have been surpassed by the newer models.

• Recommended price for new: $38,839

• Price in five years: $21,575

• Residual value: 55,55%

10 cars that will lose in value faster than others: data from GOBankingRates, 2014

So, not all cars lose in value in equal measure. Some can retain up to 62% of their initial price inside the five-year period. Luxury cars often suffer higher depreciation rates in comparison to other cars; that is primarily because they are usually rented in the U.S., not bought, which leads to influx of three- and four-year old cars with mileage in the market. Sometimes, the prices go down as a result of buyers’ feedback regarding the models of the previous years, which are a far cry from the virtues of today’s cars. Whatever the reason, here’s top-10 of the cars with the lowest re-sale price in the market.

1. Lincoln MKS

The 2014 Lincoln MKS is affordable. However, despite the latest technologies used in designing the car, including dual-zone climate control, premium leather interior and advanced comfort settings, the car is not great at retaining its value. Perhaps, it’s all about perception. Many youngsters consider Lincoln “ancient”, favoring fashionable and dynamic brands instead. This results in low demand in the market.

• Recommended price for new: from $19,710 to $34,090

• In 36 months: 58%

2. Dodge Avenger

The 2014 Dodge Avenger is another affordable car, but with less positive feedback. For example, it got “two out of five” stars from JD Power & Associates. Despite the image of a reliable mid-size sedan, this car loses in value fast.

The automotive experts voiced their criticism in regard to many things, including high petrol consumption, lack of comfort, and overall “ruggedness”. In all fairness, it was exactly the opinion of the seasoned professionals that affected the Dodge Avenger’s re-sale price. Feedback from regular consumers is pretty positive, though.

• Recommended price for new: from $10,007 to $17,219

• In 36 months: 58%

3. Jaguar XJ

The 2014 Jaguar XJ is an expensive automobile. Despite its reputation of a “car for the chosen”, this feline embodiment depreciates fast.

The consumers do not consider “jag” a reliable car, which might the core of the problem. This might push away many buyers from the used Jaguars as well. People do not feel like paying a lot for a car, and then cover numerous expensive repairs.

• Recommended price for new: from $35,056 to $75,012

• In 36 months: 58%

4. Volkswagen Touareg

The 2014 VW Touareg generally has plenty of positive feedback, although it’s not without its flaws, the high price being one of them.

Hands down, this is a reliable car, but the buyers are not ready to pay big bucks in the second-hand market (in the United States at least). The starting retail price from the maker was excessive to begin with.

• Recommended price for new: from $21,812 to $44,784

• In 36 months: 58%

5. Mercedes-Benz CL-class

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz CL-class is the most expensive car on this list. However, it does not guarantee its price won’t go down in three years. Crazy as it sounds, the car is too good for an average buyer and not good enough for a wealthy buyer.

Since the car is technologically advanced, it requires a pretty sum to keep it looked after; the price of repairs can be too much for an average car buyer. As for the more well-off customers, they will probably be drawn to something classier, like the SL model.

• Recommended price for new: from $49,562 to $78,566

• In 36 months: 58%

6. Kia Sedona (for Europe – Kia Carnival)

One of the most accessible cars on this list. The 2014 Kia Sedona got mixed reviews from JD Power & Associates – not too bad, not too good. This fact alone is not enough reason to force the car’s depreciation, yet it does have an effect.

Another reason why the re-sale price goes down is significant fuel consumption – 12.5 liters per 100 kilometers in the city. On top of that, Kia is not as recognizable as BMW, Jaguar or any other brand on this list.

• Recommended price for new: from $12,479 to $22,371

• In 36 months: 58%

7. Nissan Titan

The 2014 Nissan Titan pickup truck depreciates like crazy. In part, not so positive buyers’ reviews are to blame. Another reason of the low re-sale price, apparently, is excessive fuel consumption: Titan seems “thirsty” even next to pickups stuffed with V8 engines. Moreover, the Nissan engineers did not seem to bother implementing new ideas when designing variations of this truck; for years, it’s been basically the same vehicle coming off the conveyor belt.

• Recommended price for new: from $20,678 to $36,662

• In 36 months: 59%

8. Ram

Possibly the cheapest car on this list. The 2014 Ram quickly loses in value, even though the automotive professionals speak pretty highly of this pickup (full-size pickup truck, more likely). Insufficient visibility from the cabin is one obvious flaw, though. Average fuel consumption in the city is quite acceptable for a supercharged working horse (12,4 liters per 100 km).

Nothing bothers in this pickup’s look, just like nothing fascinates. This is, perhaps, the very reason the Ram depreciates at such rate.

• Recommended price for new: from $6,955 to $19,155

• In 36 months: 60%

9. Chevrolet Impala Limited

The 2014 Chevy Impala Limited does not retain its price well. This totally mediocre car is often a rental car in the U.S., considering its 2.5-liter engine consumes reasonable 10.7 liters in the city.

People often deprecate Chevrolet about the current incarnation of Impala having lost its charisma and not having really changed since the 1980s. True, the car seems obsolete, and this fact alone causes trouble to its sellers.

• Recommended price for new: from $14,934 to $28,054

• In 36 months: 60%

10. Chevrolet Captiva Sport

The 2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport quite possibly has the lowest re-sale price in the used cars market. There are no obvious reasons for the price’s swan dive, and you can come across many favorable reviews from American owners of the car. However, it just is too functional and too dull. On the other hand, rational customers will definitely enjoy its advantages, reasonable price being one of them for sure.

• Recommended price for new: from $12,506 to $20,738

• In 36 months: 62%

MSRP prices and depreciation percentage taken from Cars.com