First of all, let’s make it very clear: luxury SUVs are NOT an investment. They don’t appreciate in value, in fact, as we’re going to show you, some of these cars’ resale values HIT THE FLOOR almost immediately after you drive them off the lot.
But it’s not all bad. For those of you who’re looking to buy, this means you can get a super cool new luxury SUV for only a fraction of the retail price.
The first car on our list lost over SIX FIGURES of value in ONLY 3 YEARS! And the last car on the list could be yours for a third of it’s original price!
These are the SUVs with the WORST resale value.
Bentley Bentayga: The Biggest Loser
Anyone who knows anything knows that Bentley is synonymous with luxury. And the Bentayga is certainly no exception. This thing really does have all the bells and whistles.
With a tricked-out infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the option to install a clock on the dash that’s worth $160,000, this ride may as well come with the keys to a Malibu mansion.
Wait… what was that? $160,000? Yeah, that’s right. Instead of buying a house, you could buy a flashy clock for your dash. It’s the SUV equivalent of getting “filthy rich” tattooed on your forehead. Well, maybe not… but if you’re planning to resell your Bentayga, you might be out of luck.
45.3% lost in 3 years and $136,425 total value lost.
The 2017 model of this bougie bucket depreciated an unthinkable $137,000 in just 3 years! That’s 45.3% of its original value. Now, keep in mind that complex luxury cars often have very high depreciation, but this is just ridiculous.
If I were looking to buy a Bentayga, I’d probably go with a 2018 or newer, because that’s when they added the option to equip it with a V6 hybrid engine. If you’re going to lose on depreciation, might as well win on gas mileage.
Cadillac Escalade ESV: Esca-lost
Perhaps best known for its appearances in rap videos from the early 2000s, the Escalade is more than just a ride to throw some spinning rims on. This bad boy hides a 6.2 liter V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission under the hood, so you can rip down the road with authority!
The Escalade, however, isn’t exactly efficient at 21 miles per gallon down the highway. And even though it looks like it could handle a military drone strike, you probably don’t want to take this thing off-road.
But if luxury and style are what you’re after, Escalade away! But one thing you should know before you buy is that this beast does depreciate quite a bit after you start driving it.
57.5% lost in 5 years and $50,000 total value lost.
Over 5 years, the 2015 Escalade dropped $50,000 in value, a crippling 57.5% of what it goes for new. Again, this is probably because it’s in the luxury category. But STILL! That’s nearly 60%!
If you’re going to buy an Escalade, look for one made after 2017. They made some serious updates to the safety features that year, including a rear-vision camera so you won’t ding up the back of your sleek new wheels.
Ford Expedition: Expedition Attrition
The Ford Expedition is a super spacious SUV with more towing power than an aircraft carrier! Well, that might be a stretch. But you get the point. Seriously though, this thing can tow up to 9,200 pounds and rocks a twin-turbo V6 engine. There’s a reason they’re sometimes used as cop cars.
And while the interior looks exactly the same as it did in 2006, it’s got more space than you’ll know what to do with. And, for its size, the Expedition’s fuel economy is… surprisingly decent. This SUV is perfect if you’re the guy giving everyone rides around town.
The only time the Expedition will disappoint is if you try to resell it.
57.5% lost in 5 years and $30,000 total value lost.
The 2015 model dropped 57.5% in value over 5 years! That’s $30,000 you can’t get back. But if you’re looking into buying an Expedition, this means you can get one for a great price.
However, it’s worth mentioning that models made after 2018 feature an updated internal diagnostics system that makes those models far more reliable.
Tesla Model X 90D: Elon Musk Is Making Me Sad
For those of you who think the words “fully-electric SUV” and “badass” could never exist in the same sentence, THINK AGAIN! The Tesla Model X paved a new lane for SUVs powered by pure electricity, and it did so with style.
The sleek exterior consistent with Tesla’s futuristic design language features a panoramic windshield, and some flashy double-hinged falcon doors that will make you feel like a celebrity when you step out of them. And style isn’t all the Model X has to offer.
Like most other Tesla models, the Model X kills it in technology and performance. This swanky road rocket goes 0 to 60 in just 3.2 seconds and generates 328 horsepower. Tesla is laying rest to the idea that electric cars lack in performance. The Model X also gives you a taste of the future with standard technology features like autopilot and collision avoidance, and an optional self-driving mode.
But as we’ve learned with other luxury high-tech SUVs, their values drop quicker than the New Year’s Eve ball.
58% lost in 4 years and $86,000 total value lost.
The 2016 Model X dropped $86,000 in just 4 years, a staggering 58%. This is probably because Elon Musk and the boys are constantly updating the tech in their new models.
But it also means you could jump behind the wheel of a Model X for just $53,000, and watch jaws drop when you lift up those falcon doors.
Infiniti QX70: QQ
Although Nissan has received some less-than-flattering press in recent years (and rightfully so with their former CEO being essentially a cartoon villain), their luxury brand Infiniti has continued to be a light in the darkness.
The QX70 is an SUV with impressive performance numbers. It’s got a powerful 3.7 liter V6 that gives it acceleration like a sedan instead of a tall crossover. And even with a curb weight equal to a herd of elephants, it still handles surprisingly well, with quick steering response and a low center of gravity that keeps it steady through turns. The 20-inch wheels, however, do make the ride feel a bit shakier than it should. Not sure why they decided to put those in…
The QX70’s resale value also drops in the blink of an eye.
59.7% lost in 5 years and $30,000 total value lost.
The 2015 model went down 59.7% in 5 years, knocking $30,000 off its market price.
The QX70’s seen very few substantial updates since its initial release in 2014. So, if you want to buy one of these fancy four-wheelers, an older model will do the trick, and you’ll probably get it at a great price.
Audi Q7: Ouchie Audi
Audi has always had a reputation for style, and the Q7 definitely doesn’t disappoint. You’d be hard-pressed to find a sleeker, more stylish SUV out there.
And under the hood, the Q7 looks pretty good too. These German jackknives feature a 3-liter V6 capable of generating 280 horsepower coupled with an 8-speed transmission and an all-wheel-drive system that’ll have you turning on a dime… or a Euro? I think that’s what they use in Germany?
And as always, Audi built the best-of-the-best when it comes to interior comfort. The cabin feels like the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, but with an engine and wheels.
However, one thing you should know about the Q7 is how quickly it depreciates.
61.4% lost in 5 years and $42,000 total value lost.
Over 5 years, the 2015 Q7 lost 61.4% of its market value. That’s $42,000 out the window.
The second-generation Q7 was unveiled in 2015, and it proved to be far superior to the first with new engine updates and a nice facelift.
Best of all, you could pick up one of these second-gen’s for less than $19,000. Not a bad deal for that kind of luxury.
Land Rover Range Rover: Land Rover, Wallet Wrecker
The Range Rover is probably the most well-known luxury SUV, and with good reason!
The supercharged V6 engine pushes these buckets of luxury from 0 to 60 in just 4.7 seconds, and the interior is tip-top when it comes to comfort and style. With plush stitched leather seats and wood trim, this ride is lavish enough to have transported Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, and even Queen Elizabeth.
But you may not have to be rich and famous to get in the driver’s seat of one of these iconic cars. They depreciate so heavily that many of the older models are now semi-affordable.
63% lost in 5 years and $75,000 total value lost.
The 2015 Range Rover dropped 63% in value over 5 years from around $125,000 to around $40,000.
And with how durable Rover’s are, even a 5-year-old version is going to perform like new. And best of all, you can convince your friends that you’re WAY richer than you really are!
BMW X5 M: Break My Wallet
The BMW X5 M is quite simply a beast. This thing’s got a souped-up 4.4-liter V8 that spits out a ridiculous 567 horsepower.
This monstrous SUV is built for power, and when you’re generating that much of it, you’ve got to have the rig to handle it. The X5 M has a 115.5-inch wheelbase and a super-strong suspension meant to handle all that this BMW bruiser can give it: ultra-firm bushings, stiff springs, and it sits 10 millimeters lower than the base model for extra stability.
But what do you have to do with a beast? That’s right, you’ve got to feed it. Unlike the base model X5, which actually gets very good gas mileage, the M gets a dismal 19 highway miles to the gallon.
And if that’s got you gripping your wallet, you’re probably going to break it in half when you hear how it depreciates.
63.4% lost in 5 years and $76,000 total value lost.
The 2015 M model lost a devastating 63.4% of its value in 5 years, equivalent to $76,000 dollars!
However, X5’s have stayed pretty much the same since their release in 2015, so if you want to get your hands on a BMW SUV for relatively cheap, a 2015 X5 M might be a good call.
VW Touareg: How do you spell that?
The Volkswagen Touareg. First of all, why would you name a car such a difficult word to pronounce. Seriously, I probably spent a solid 20 minutes trying to figure out how to say it.
But while this model may give you a headache with its name, it could end up saving your skull with its top-of-the-line safety features. It’s got a post-collision braking system that applies the breaks after an initial impact to help prevent a second one.
The Touareg is also the best off-roading SUV on our list.
But here’s the double-edged sword of depreciation: if you already own a Touareg, sorry. These SUVs drop in value QUICKLY.
65.8% lost in 5 years and $44,000 total value lost.
With the 2015 model dropping 65.8%, or $44,000, in 5 years.
But the upside? That means if you’re in the market for a used 2015 Touareg, you can snap one up for around $20,000!
So does that make the Touareg the biggest winner or the biggest loser? You tell me.
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