10 Luxury SUVs That Depreciated Faster That A Lead Brick Thrown Into The Grand Canyon

Manufacturers want their brand-new luxury SUVs to dazzle when they first appear and to offer a heady mix of comfort, power, presence, and prestige. However, buyers will certainly have to factor in the hidden cost of depreciation and, in this sector, it could be massive. In this list, we highlight ten luxury SUVs, like the BMW X5, that have shed tens of thousands of dollars in only a few years and may have lost their value more quickly than almost any other segment.

The list shows a mix of mostly American road kings and European status symbols that, today, have seen a staggering drop in their resale value. And while some could represent a good buy if you’re shopping used, be wary of potentially sizable maintenance bills.

We curated a list of 10 luxury SUVs that have experienced a sizable drop in the depreciation department. We also looked at what buyers could expect in the secondhand market today in terms of ownership costs and for this article. We gathered information from authority sources and sites like Kelley Blue Book (KBB). The list is ordered by the current average value, in order of highest to lowest, and the figures in each table represent performance statistics for the most popular vehicle in that range for the model year. Any opinions in the article are those of the author.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS

Original MSRP: $68,700

Current Private Party Average: $15,900

The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 represented a class refresh in 2017 as an upmarket three-row German SUV. It’s suffered a steep drop in value since those days, however, but that could now present you with some serious Mercedes refinement for your mainstream money. As with many SUVs of this age, you’ll have to watch out for maintenance issues, including electronic gremlins, air suspension problems, and brake maladies. But if you’re prepared for the realities of German luxury ownership, the GLS 450 still has some presence on the road and plenty of comfort at this acceptable price point.

2015 Cadillac Escalade

Original MSRP: $72,970

Current Private Party Average: $15,350

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade certainly had a major presence with its towering size, V8 power, and luxurious interior. It was also one of the priciest American SUVs around in its day, but right now, you can find a clean example for about $15,500. Clearly, that represents a substantial saving, but ownership also has its own challenges, as expensive repairs could be on the horizon. Don’t expect fuel consumption to be good with a brick design like this and the technology has also aged considerably. But a good used Escalade could still offer you plenty of bold luxury with lots of space, so long as you’re realistic about ownership expectations.

2017 Maserati Levante

Original MSRP: $72,600

Current Private Party Average: $14,420

The 2017 Maserati Levante was a bold Italian alternative to mostly German dominance in the sector. It had Ferrari-derived V6 power and some seductive styling, while it sounded more like a sports car than a luxury SUV. Today, values are roughly 77% lower than they were at launch, but for this, you can still get a charming vehicle with upscale leather, sharp steering, and relative rarity in America. Again, maintenance is a challenge as there are not that many dealer outlets and parts can be very expensive. The Levante is still something different for those who want some drama and distinction in their daily drive.

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2015 Lincoln Navigator

Original MSRP: $61,920

Current Private Party Average: $10,800

In the mid-2010s, the Lincoln Navigator was America’s offering in the large luxury vehicle sector. It had a turbocharged V6, a commanding presence on the roads, and plenty of space for the entire family. In its price range, it would compete squarely with Infiniti’s QX80 and the Cadillac Escalade and was a reasonable, if not overly flashy, contender. Today, it’s lost more than 80% of its original value, but it’s still solid in the towing department with plenty of comfort for a long road trip with good utility. However, while those EcoBoost engines provide decent power, the Navigator is certainly not economical. You’ll also need to watch out for some air suspension failures if you buy one now, but otherwise, it might still represent a smart secondhand luxury buy.

2015 Range Rover Sport

Original MSRP: $63,350

Current Private Party Average: $10,560

Britain would proudly offer you an upscale luxury SUV in 2015 with plenty of off-road heritage and a reasonable selling price. The Range Rover Sport came with adaptive air suspension, a powerful engine, plus a plush cabin. It struck a reasonable blend of capability and elegance. At today’s prices you may think that you’ll get a bargain, but ownership is not for the faint-hearted. After all, Range Rover vehicles like this are known for their reliability quirks and high cost of maintenance, and they’re perhaps best for those who can manage or afford to deal with repairs. Still, the ride comfort is good, and it works well off-road, so it may be worth a look.

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2015 Infiniti QX80

Original MSRP: $63,250

Current Private Party Average: $10,455

Infiniti is perhaps one of the lesser-known luxury OEM offshoots and the QX80 was a bold, full-size offering that combined a muscular V8 engine with plenty of third row space. It wasn’t cheap among its competitors, but the brand had a good reputation for reliability and the QX80 combined a plush interior with some serious towing power. In today’s market, used examples are around for less than $11,000 in a private party sale, which represents a massive amount of depreciation. But still, despite its age, the QX80 still has some appeal. It’s a good buy if you want lots of space and power but without the kind of maintenance cost you might expect from a European vehicle of this era. Yes, the fuel economy is poor, and the infotainment system is dated by current standards, but it’s still an option for those who want to prioritize functionality over brand snobbery.

Volvo XC90

Original MSRP: $56,600

Current Private Party Average: $10,165

A rare Scandinavian entry in this sector came in the shape of the Volvo XC90. It had a minimalist interior and an efficient turbocharged engine, while it also featured the kind of advanced safety technology you might expect from Volvo. Even the top trims were relatively affordable in 2016, but today, the XC90 has suffered from an almost 80% value decline. Still, it’s good value in the design, comfort, and safety departments, and it has a practical three-row layout for the family buyer. You may expect some electrical gremlins and potential issues with its complex powertrain, but on the flip-side, you will get features like the Pilot Assist and City Safety systems, which were well ahead of their time.

2015 BMW X5

Original MSRP: $62,220

Current Private Party Average: $9,685

The 2015 BMW X5 was a performance-focused midsize luxury SUV that offered premium build qualities, sharp handling, and an impressive range of different powertrains. For example, you could choose between a turbocharged inline-six or V8 engine, and would also get a spacious interior for its category with lots of technology. Still, ten years later private party values show a depreciation rate of almost 85%, which is dramatic. But if you can find a decent example, you can still enjoy its upscale feel and rewarding on-road characteristics, while keeping an eye out for some turbo issues on those V8s. If you are an enthusiast and don’t mind getting your fingers dirty in the garage on the weekend, you can get plenty of luxury and agility in a used X5 today.

2015 Audi Q7

Original MSRP: $48,300

Current Private Party Average: $7,850

Audi’s offering in the luxury SUV department in 2015 was the Q7. This was a good blend of German design with three-row practicality, and it also had the company’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The cabin was well-appointed with lots of technology and the ride was good enough, making the Q7 stand out in its crowded segment. However, today, with private party values below $8000, you’re looking at a more than 82% depreciation rate. And as with the Lincoln, you may have to watch out for potential air suspension problems which could be a costly experience out of warranty. Still, it drives very well, and you will find upscale materials throughout, so it could yet represent an option for savvy buyers.

2017 Jaguar F-Pace

Original MSRP: $41,990

Current Private Party Average: $7,760

The F-Pace was Jaguar’s first SUV and, as the company was trying to squeeze its way into a tough market, it had a very reasonable base MSRP. It delivered sporty handling and sleek styling, and as it was relatively lightweight, the fuel economy was reasonable. Today, it hasn’t suffered the same amount of depreciation as some others on this list, and it could be one of the better options for used SUV buyers. But still, ownership is unlikely to be trouble-free as others have reported turbo reliability issues, infotainment problems, and electrical quirks. The F-Pace does drive more like a sports sedan and is an alternative to the ever-present Germans, so a 2017 F-Pace today could yet reward a bold buyer with something that’s certainly not generic.

Sources: Mecum, Kelley Blue Book, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Cadillac, Range Rover, Volvo, Lincoln, Maserati