Before you dream of getting behind the wheel of a luxury Mercedes or an Audi, what if we told you that some of these vehicles start losing their value even before you start to enjoy their luxurious features? Deal breaker, right? Stick to the end to uncover truths about these vehicles and how they depreciate over time.
Maserati Quattroporte
Original price: $126,805
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 64.5%
Resale value: around $44,950
Difference: $81,851
Quattroporte is Italian elegance. Under the hood lies a Ferrari-made V8 engine that provides sophisticated power, 580 horses to be exact. If we skip the performance numbers, this vehicle has immense luxury and comfort. However, the depreciation has dropped its price tag to the floor, making it much cheaper on the used market.
BMW 7 Series
Original price: $122,475
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 61.8%
Resale value: around $46,780
Difference: $75,694
BMW has been serving well and is one of the top contenders in the full-size luxury car market. The 7 series lineup offers many features, especially after the 2024 refresh. However, like any luxury car, the 7 Series also didn’t live up to its name when it came to holding its value. The depreciation has shaved a lot of bucks off of it, and the prices will only get lower as you plan on owning it for a longer period.
Maserati Ghibli
Original price: $110,995
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 61.3%
Resale value: around $43,000
Difference: $67,950
This muscular Italian sports sedan was discontinued last year and is experiencing major depreciation. Beneath its stunning exterior, the Ghibli offers power options ranging from 345 to over 570 horses. Ghibli delivers sporty handling and refined power and showcases a well-appointed interior, but that’s not enough to save it from the depreciation hit it is bound to take.
Infiniti QX80
Original price: $82,450
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 58.1%
Resale value: around $34,500
Difference: $47,881
The Infiniti QX80 is known for its luxury and capability. Its robust V8 engine is complemented by an interior rich with high-quality materials and advanced tech, but don’t let these commanding features fool you. The QX80 is one of the worst SUVs for holding its resale value, and sadly, not many people are after it.
Porsche Panamera
Original price: $101,550
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 53%
Resale value: around $47,000
Difference: $53,821
The idea of a Porsche sedan was indeed unique. The Panamera model line offers luxury vehicles powered by turbocharged V6 or V8 engines with Porsche Performance DNA inside. If you step inside, the Germans have provided sophistication through premium materials and technology. However, with time, the Panamera is fond of losing much of its value.
Mercedes Benz S-Class
Original price: $182,250 (if you max out on options)
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 55.7%
Resale value: around $80,275
Difference: $101,975
The S-Class has always been “the luxury car” for many. With the V12 and V8 options, the S-class is also a comfortable place to be in and has been a better option if you don’t want to blow half a million bucks on a Rolls Royce. However, the depreciation has made it a lot cheaper.
Porsche Cayenne
Original price: $114,550
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 50%
Resale value: around $57,000
Difference: $57,275
The Cayenne lineup comes wrapped in a sporty bodywork and has room for five passengers. Offering rumbly V8 and hybrid V6 options, it packs Porsche Performance DNA. However, unlike the 911, the Cayenne loses much of its value over time, filling the used market with cheaper deals.
Audi A8
Original price: $93,295
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 55%
Resale value: around $42,200
Difference: $42,266
Audi’s beautiful and spacious sedan is comfortable, has a Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and offers tons of features. However, it’s surprising how quickly this luxurious ride loses its value. Factors contributing to this range from the high initial cost and competitive luxury car market to the high maintenance cost.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Original price: $73,540
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 53%
Resale value: around $34,750
Difference: $38,788
The E-Class lineup offers sedans, coupes, convertibles, and a station wagon. They only reflect Mercedes’s phenomenal efforts and commitment towards quality and luxury whenever you enter. However, over time, the E-Class owners will face significant depreciation.
BMW X5
Original price: $90,295
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 54.7%
Resale value: around $40,800
Difference: $49,411
If you seek luxury and performance in a stylish package, the X5 is your SUV. It offers many engines, such as a silent inline-six and a rumbly V8. Apart from performance, the X5 is also a luxurious place to be inside, offering high-quality materials and premium tech features. However, before getting one, do be aware that the high depreciation rate could be a trap.
Jaguar XF
Original price: $54,755
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 54%
Resale value: about $25,000
Difference: $29,182
British engineering to its finest, the XF offers a thrilling ride with polished handling. You can choose any: a turbocharged four-cylinder or a smooth V6. Regardless of engine choice, the stunning exterior and luxurious cabin portray opulence. However, the Jaguar XF also screams depreciation, which sounds like a bad investment if you’re considering getting one.
Land Rover Range Rover
Original price: $109,025
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 53.9%
Resale value: around $50,266
Difference: $58,758
This Land Rover’s flagship was the first bonafide luxury SUV sold in the U.S. market. Equipped with a powerful V8 engine, Range Rover excels both on and off the road. Despite its higher price tag, don’t expect it to maintain its resale value if you keep it longer. The depreciation will make it a lot cheaper.
Cadillac Escalade
Original price: $152,295 (if you max out on options)
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 56.5%
Resale value: about $66,000
Difference: $86,133
Escalade is undoubtedly one of the best American luxury SUVs money can buy. The brand has a history of being used as a symbol of high social status, and the Escalade does retain this symbol. However, the price numbers are decreasing in the used market as the Escalade depreciates rapidly.
BMW 5 Series
Original price: $82,495
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 55.3%
Resale value: around $36,900
Difference: $45,572
The 5 Series is a stunner on the road, especially after the 2024 refresh. It offers engines ranging from smooth turbo-fours to powerful V8s and showcases premium materials and advanced technology inside. However, despite its great lineup, the 5 Series has bad resale numbers due to depreciation.
Tesla Model S
Original price: $89,990
Depreciation rate after 5 years: 55.5%
Resale value: around $40,000
Difference: $49,994
Elon’s Tesla Model S combines adrenaline-rushing performance with high-tech luxury. It hosts features such as an autopilot and a large touchscreen display, through which you can tweak almost anything inside your cabin. However, just like the Model S’s quick acceleration, its depreciation numbers follow the same pattern. It ranks 19th among the top 25 vehicles with the highest 5-year depreciation.
Give It Due Thought
If you plan to keep a luxury SUV or sedan for many years, depreciation might not be a concern. But if you frequently trade-in or sell luxury cars every couple of years, you may face a substantial financial loss.
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Zainab Noor is a motoring journalist. Childhood rides in Nissan Almera fueled her love for cars. After graduating from AIOU in 2021, she steered her passion into freelance writing. You can find Zainab on LinkedIn.
