If there is a law of depreciation, it would function a lot like gravity. Applied to new vehicles, the higher the original purchase price, the more the value drops. That’s why there are so many models from luxury brands on this list. Those vehicles tend to lose 40, 50, or even 60 percent of their value after five years.
The reasons for this drop in value vary, but the most common issue is as these vehicles age, they are increasingly expensive to maintain. You’ll either pay a high purchase price or run the risk of high repair bills. For that reason, we also put together an article on the 20 most expensive cars to maintain, which includes some of the vehicles on this list.
To find the 20 cars with the worst resale values, though, we went to CarEdge and compiled information, compared each model’s typical new list price against its resale value after five years. Then we picked the 20 cars that depreciated the most amount in that time.
20. BMW 4 Series
- Price When New: $61,302
- Resale Value After Five Years: $34,200
- Five-Year Depreciation: 44.2 Percent
The BMW 4 Series could be considered the 3 Series sedan’s more fashionable sibling, offering a two-door coupe and convertible, as well as a liftback five-door Gran Coupe. It’s quick and stylish, though the sharply raked roofline of the Gran Coupe model eats into rear headroom compared to a traditional 3 Series sedan.
19. Nissan Leaf
- Price When New: $38,839
- Resale Value After Five Years: $21,575
- Five-Year Depreciation: 44.5 Percent
Even with electric cars in high demand, the Nissan Leaf loses almost half its value over five years. Blame that trend on the rapid change in EV technology and advances in battery capacity. The good news is if you’re looking for a bargain electric car, a five-year-old Leaf makes a compelling choice thanks to its depreciation.
18. BMW 5 Series
- Price When New: $64,289
- Resale Value After Five Years: $35,308
- Five-Year Depreciation: 45.1 Percent
As a midsize sport sedan, the BMW 5 Series offers excellent performance in nearly every area but resale value. All models are rewarding to drive, but the M-badged sedans stand out, offering acceleration and handling on par with many sports cars.
17. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Price When New: $83,503
- Resale Value After Five Years: $45,701
- Five-Year Depreciation: 45.3 Percent
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers something for everyone with a comprehensive lineup 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 – but it won’t earn you a lot of money on the secondhand market.
16. BMW X5
- Price When New: $73,122
- Resale Value After Five Years: $39,625
- Five-Year Depreciation: 45.8 Percent
BMW’s midsize luxury SUV is tuned on the sporty side for aggressive drivers who want 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.
15. Porsche Panamera (Tie)
- Price When New: $142,700
- Resale Value After Five Years: $77,058
- Five-Year Depreciation: 46.0 Percent
In the old days, the idea of a Porsche sedan would be heresy. But the Panamera is really the “Porsche” of performance sedans. An extensive model line includes five-door hatchback, extended-length Executive, and wagon-like Sport Turismo models, all packing powerful engines.
15. Mercedes-Benz S-Class (Tie)
- Price When New: $127,503
- Resale Value After Five Years: $68,852
- Five-Year Depreciation: 46.0 Percent
The flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most sophisticated and elegantly cast large sedans this side of a Rolls-Royce. It can be fitted with an extensive array of options and advanced amenities to suit every taste. There’s no lack of power with either the turbocharged six-cylinder or V8 engines, with depreciation making a used model the best value.
13. Audi A6
- Price When New: $66,377
- Resale Value After Five Years: $35,744
- Five-Year Depreciation: 46.2 Percent
The midsize Audi A6 luxury sedan is a smooth and stylish performer with standard all-wheel drive and a number of high-tech features. The S6 and RS6 are the quickest and most nimble models in the line, with the latter offering supercar-like speed thanks to its twin-turbo V8.
12. Porsche Cayenne
- Price When New: $103,367
- Resale Value After Five Years: $55,219
- Five-Year Depreciation: 46.6 Percent
The Porsche Cayenne SUV comes wrapped in attractive bodywork and has room for five passengers. It likewise packs Porsche performance DNA, with a choice of authoritative powertrains, including hybrid models. Unlike the 911, however, the Cayenne loses a fair amount of value over time.
11. Audi Q7
- Price When New: $68,451
- Resale Value After Five Years: $36,060
- Five-Year Depreciation: 47.3 Percent
The Audi Q7 is a luxury SUV that seats up to seven across three rows and delivers a well-balanced ride and handling. The top SQ7 trim gets a 500-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine for maximum muscle but also commands a hefty sticker price.
10. Audi SQ5
- Price When New: $63,754
- Resale Value After Five Years: $32,744
- Five-Year Depreciation: 48.6 Percent
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.
These Cars Keep Their Value:
9. Audi A7
- Price When New: $79,684
- Resale Value After Five Years: $40,774
- Five-Year Depreciation: 48.8 Percent
The stylish Audi A7 is related to the midsize A6, but the automaker calls it a Sportback by virtue of its sharply sloping rear hatch and arced roofline. While that feature adds visual pizzazz, it sacrifices some rear headroom and makes graceful ingress a challenge.
8. Jaguar XF
- Price When New: $59,086
- Resale Value After Five Years: $29,289
- Five-Year Depreciation: 50.4 Percent
Jaguar’s lone sedan keeps up the marque’s traditional appearances with classic big-car styling, a posh cabin, and a choice of willing engines. However, it tends to get lost in the shuffle as the luxury market shifts toward SUVs and premium electric cars.
7. Audi A8
- Price When New: $95,553
- Resale Value After Five Years: $46,286
- Five-Year Depreciation: 51.6 Percent
Audi’s largest sedan is handsome and comfortable and comes with all-wheel drive and a number of impressive tech features. But first owners and lessees absorb a huge chunk of its transaction price.
6. Infiniti QX80
- Price When New: $77,337
- Resale Value After Five Years: $36,642
- Five-Year Depreciation: 52.6 Percent
The full-size Infiniti QX80 seats up to eight passengers in comfort and can traverse off-road trails with full-time, two-speed four-wheel drive. Its big V8 accelerates with authority, though the softly sprung suspension won’t win many autocross challenges
5. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
- Price When New:$58,310
- Resale Value After Five Years: $27,528
- Five-Year Depreciation: 52.8 Percent
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.
4. BMW 7 Series
- Price When New: $107,657
- Resale Value After Five Years: $50,297
- Five-Year Depreciation: 53.3 Percent
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, the latest 7 Series offers a range of powerful engines and even an electric option. While it costs a bundle when new, used versions of the previous generation get cheaper to buy over time.
3. Land Rover Range Rover
- Price When New: $131,111
- Resale Value After Five Years: $57,623
- Five-Year Depreciation: 56.0 Percent
The flagship of Land Rover’s line was the first bona fide luxury SUV sold in the US. It’s both posh and a capable off-road performer, though it takes gumption to use it to climb over rocks and fallen trees. Plus, whether new or used, ownership costs are sky-high as you'll see in our list of the costliest cars to maintain.
2. Mercedes-Benz GLE
- Price When New: $90,322
- Resale Value After Five Years: $39,642
- Five-Year Depreciation: 56.1 Percent
The midsize Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a notch smaller than the GLS but can still seat up to seven riders in style. A wide range of model choices run the gamut from mild to wild, with the AMG GLE 53 being the sportiest expression.
1. Mercedes-Benz GLS
- Price When New: $116,680
- Resale Value After Five Years: $44,047
- Five-Year Depreciation: 62.3 Percent
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.
Cars With The Worst Resale Value 2023
20. BMW 4 Series
19. Nissan Leaf
18. BMW 5 Series
17. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
16. BMW X5
15. Porsche Panamera
15. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
13. Audi A6
12. Porsche Cayenne
11. Audi Q7
10. Audi SQ5
9. Audi A7
8. Jaguar XF
7. Audi A8
6. Infiniti QX80
5. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
4. BMW 7 Series
3. Land Rover Range Rover
2. Mercedes-Benz GLE
1. Mercedes-Benz GLS