High depreciation in the luxury segment is nothing new, and in fact, it’s something we’ve covered here plenty of times in the past at CarBuzz. However, while there certainly is plenty to celebrate about a $40,000 luxury sedan now selling for $12,000, or tanking EV prices, this piece zeroes in on some of the biggest losers when it comes to plummeting values.
Fully loaded SUVs from some of the most prestigious automakers are, on paper, properly desirable cars. However, the need to be the latest and greatest, plus tear-inducing repair and running costs, has seen them lose huge amounts of value. As a result, you can now pick up a svelte SUV with supercar-level power for commuter prices; here’s our pick of the bunch, ordered alphabetically by manufacturer, for high-riding luxury SUV “bargains.”
Aston Martin DBX
The DBX was Aston Martin’s first foray into the world of SUVs, enabling the storied British firm to compete directly with the likes of Lamborghini, Bentley, and later on, Ferrari too. While there was certainly an element of risk linked to a model that so obviously diverts away from the brand’s core offerings, it clearly worked, as the DBX rapidly established itself as a new bestseller for the brand.
The DBX debuted with a sticker price of $176,900, although it was certainly possible for shoppers to lighten their pockets to the tune of $250,000 and more via the extensive options list. Unfortunately, it was even easier for these buyers to lose cash, as the DBX depreciated significantly. According to CarEdge, Aston’s first SUV sheds 49% of its value within the first five years alone.
That’s a significant percentage, which works out to a loss of more than $90,000 based on the 2021 model’s base MSRP, leaving a residual value around $86,600. A few have already changed hands for slightly less than $70,000 in online auctions, putting it perilously close to entry-level Toyota Sequoia prices, which start at $65,725.
Driving this heavy dose of depreciation may well be due to the numerous electrical issues owners have experienced with the model, in addition to the DBX 707, which arrived a few years later, casting a very faint shadow of undesirability over the earlier, softer models.
Bentley Bentayga
Another British SUV to bite down hard on the depreciation bullet is the Bentley Bentayga, which sported an MSRP of $177,000 back in 2021. Much like the aforementioned Aston Martin, it was perfectly possible to spend a great deal more on the Bentayga, with the W12-equipped Speed grade commanding a near-$75,000 premium.
A price point like that excludes many shoppers, but depreciation steps in to right that wrong, slashing the Bentayga’s residual values by 57% over five years. That’s enough to see a $177,000 example from 2021 lose over $100,000 to reach an average of $76,110. Judging by examples currently advertised on the CarBuzz Marketplace, that’s a fairly conservative estimate in some cases.
Unlike supercars or highly limited luxury coupes, the Bentayga lacks collectibility, so prices tend to drop steeply as it ages. Plus, maintenance costs for complex air suspension systems, ceramic braking setups, and complex W12 engines certainly don’t make aging models particularly tempting to own.
Maserati Levante
High depreciation is a common problem for Maserati models. The Italian brand’s cars can be fabulous when new, with striking looks, sumptuous cabins, and evocative powertrains. But no matter how great they are, residual values never reflect their strengths. We’ve covered the Quattroporte’s rapidly falling values in the past. The Levante hasn’t done much better.
Five years ago, a new Levante would have set buyers back between $74,490 and $149,990, depending on whether they opted for a base trim, Trofeo trim, or something in between. Astonishingly, these models have since shed an eye-watering 79% of their original value, so it’s now possible to pick one up for new Highlander money, which costs $55,675 (before a $1,595 destination fee) for the range-topping 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD. Meanwhile, some 2021 Trofeos are selling for just shy of $50,000.
Base models are available for around $20,000, so it’s actually perfectly possible to secure two of them for the price of a new Highlander, despite the $74,490 price tag just a few short years ago. Electrical, air suspension, and transmission issues help contribute to that sinking valuation, but in truth, the badge on the grille is likely just as much to blame.
Mercedes-Maybach GLS
Mercedes-Benz models usually hold value a little better than their competitors. It performs similarly to the Aston Martin, losing 47% of its value in the first five years of ownership. While not stellar, it’s nothing in comparison to the Levante.
However, considering that the flagship Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 trim commanded $160,500 when new in 2021, shedding almost half that value is still a pretty big deal. The 47% drop would see the GLS 600 trading for $85,065 today. Listings reveal that lesser grades, such as the GLS 450, are trading for less than $30,000. That’s Toyota Camry money for a full-size Mercedes SUV that makes 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged inline-six.
Naturally, maintenance costs will be a concern to those with real-world budgets, and the threat of further depreciation might dampen the GLS’ appeal somewhat, but this is still a remarkably capable machine, and surely very tempting in the sub-$30,000 window.
Those who purchased their GLS new would have been far wiser opting for a G550 instead. These SUVs originally sported an MSRP in the region of $130,000 and still happily trade for more than $90,000.
Range Rover (SV Autobiography)
The Land Rover Range Rover is a perennial heavyweight in the luxury SUV segment, and it’s also famous for suffering high depreciation. However, high running costs and scary reliability concerns see it losing a massive 74% of its original value within the first five years of motoring.
In long-wheelbase SV Autobiography trim, it stickered for $211,000 in 2021. Today, they’ve lost $156,140, resulting in a current valuation of $54,860, which is around the same price as a nicely specified Highlander.
Lower trim levels are available for around $25,000, and they would have around 80,000 to 100,000 miles on the clock. That’s a lot of car for the money, but the list of four- and five-figure fixes that plague these models is concerningly long, making it easy to understand how the beloved Range Rover manages to lose so much value quite so quickly.
Base Trim Engine
3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Four-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
355 hp
Base Trim Torque
365 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Fuel Economy
18/23 MPG
Infotainment & Features
9 /10
Sources: AutoTempest, CarEdge, Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati, Mercedes, Range Rover
