The Top 10 Slowest Depreciating SUV’s

Now that September is among us and the weather is getting a bit more blustery and less warm, thoughts turn to the Autumn and Winter seasons that will very soon be upon us. For many people, this also means that the car they bought to enjoy for the Spring and Summer is starting to look a little unfit for purpose, especially with the inevitability of more rain in the not so distant future.

With September already being one of the best months to buy a car and the obvious change in the weather that is happening, switching to an SUV might be a popular choice right now with many looking to change their vehicle as the seasons switch.

As a result we thought we’d put together a list of the slowest depreciating SUV’s on the market right now so that if you are looking to switch to an SUV at this time of year, you can at least look to protect the value of your purchase as best you can. As usual the list takes into account the industry standard of the vehicles’ average retained value after 3 years and 36,000 miles (Source: What Car?, Auto Express & Auto Trader).

What’s more, the list is a mix of electric, hybrid and combustion engine vehicles, as well as a range of performance abilities and even price ranges, so hopefully there is something of interest for everyone.

Audi RS Q3

The Audi RS Q3 is the quickest version of Audi’s compact and highly popular SUV. Taking a detuned version of the iconic 5-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine from the impressive RS3 to create a 335bhp practical family car. That combined with the famed quattro four-wheel drive system and a more aggressive look, bigger wheels and huge oval exhausts means the RS Q3 certainly looks the part and has the performance to match.

Despite a relatively expensive starting price with the right options of just over £60,000, the RS Q3’s build quality, refinement and technology synonymous with the Audi brand means that the depreciation fares much better than most of its rivals. After 3 years and 36,000 miles the small SUV holds on to just over 50% of its value, an impressive feat considering its starting price. Expect to see the RS Q3 to be on average around the £31,000 mark after this time, but it is specification dependant, those that have the Comfort & Sound pack included are most sought after, everyone who is looking for one will ask.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla’s Model Y has been a huge sales success for the California brand. Unmistakably a smaller clone of its bigger brother, the Model X, yet without the outlandish gullwing doors, the cheaper and more compact Model Y has sold in its many tens of thousands since its launch in 2020. Offering more manageable dimensions and even better handling, not to mention easy to use technology and reasonable range possibilities, the Model Y has been many people’s way into the electric car market and they haven’t looked back since.

By far the most popular specification of Model Y is the Long Range Dual Motor version, offering obviously greater range possibilities but also greater performance and all-wheel drive for safety and to keep that additional performance in check. With a starting price of just under £53,000 the desirability and popularity of the most usable model in the range means that the proportion of value retained is much better than most other all-electric SUV’s. With 53.7% of its value retained after 3 years and 36,000 miles expect a Model Y to have a value of around £28,500.

Land Rover Discovery

The Discovery may be high up on the list to be revised and updated by Land Rover soon, however the appeal and demand for the current model remains as high as ever. Previously seen as a much more utilitarian way into the brand, these days the technology and refinement of offer from the Discovery is better than ever. The latest iteration is the also the biggest model yet and what it lacks in Range Rover image it certainly makes up for in space for both luggage and up to 7 passengers with ease.

The Discovery has features in abundance so whatever you pick from the range is sure to be well equipped and more than capable of continuing on when the going gets tough. The 3.0-litre diesel is the most in-demand engine choice and holds its value better than the others, the addition of more well-equipped HSE trim will ensure that more creature comforts allow the Discovery to retain up to 54.5% of its value. The average list price of just over £73,000 means that the Discovery is likely to be just a shade under £40,000 after 3 years and 36,000 miles.

Range Rover Sport

Combining dynamic ability and luxurious comfort, the Range Rover Sport is one of the best all rounders out there. Whether it is the latest generation or the previous one, the recipe is the same and the results are very impressive. Its agility surprises for the size of the vehicle, yet it is just as capable of navigating tight urban streets and tackling long motorway cruises. As you’d expect from the brand, technology, functionality and the sheer number of options are seemingly endless and the cache that comes with the badge means you feel a sense of superiority wherever you go.

Despite the range of diesel and petrol options that are available across the line up it is the popularity of the hybrid powertrain that makes the most sense financially, both in terms of running costs and residual values. Hybrid values are particularly strong right now, with many people considering them the ideal first step into electric car motoring. The well-equipped Autobiography in P400e, or P460e in the latest iteration, should retain its value better than the others in the range, expecting a return of just over £59,000 from the average list price around £100,000.

Range Rover

Since its inception in the 1970’s, the Range Rover has been the byword for luxury off-roading the world over. These days they have taken that concept further than ever before and offer an experience of refinement and comfort that few can compete with. Not only that, but it is always reassuring to know that whatever the British weather can throw at you and whatever terrain you find yourself in, the Range Rover can keep on going.

As with its Range Rover Sport sibling, the hybrid is the one most likely to retain the most value after 3 years and 36,000 miles. The appeal of wafting around in total comfort and total silence is still a difficult one to beat, with the reassurance of the petrol engine to keep you going rather than a long wait at a charging point. For the previous generation it is again the Autobiography that will hold on to its value better, however the latest model sees the base SE depreciate less than the others. The average price retained a respectable £65,500 from the average list price of around £115,000.

Land Rover Defender

If you want to go off road you get a Defender. That had always been the way for generation after generation. The problem was, it was on the road that the original Defender didn’t seem to feel at home. When the reborn Defender was launched it provided all the mud-plugging off road ability with a new found capability on the road too, and threw in a rather large splash of Land Rover/Range Rover technology and refinement too. It manages to blend enough styling cues from the original and a certain amount of utilitarian functionality at the same time, not an easy trick to pull off.

The sales figures and popularity of the new Defender speak for themselves with no sign of it losing its appeal anytime soon. Its ability to be brought right up to date shows with the integration of the hybrid powertrain to the line up, which unsurprisingly is the one that retains its value best. The number of model types available means there is plenty to choose from, but it is the well equipped and sportier styled Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE that retains up to 58.1% of its £77,000 list price after 3 years and 36,000 miles.

Aston Martin DBX

Expensive luxury prestige cars in saloon or SUV format are more often than not found on the list of highest depreciating cars, however there are a few exceptions. The Aston Martin DBX may have been created to jump on the luxury performance SUV bandwagon but for many it was a mismatch of styles and not as definitive as the brands latest Vantage, DB12 and Vanquish models.

It is however exactly what an Aston Martin should be, comfortable, refined, luxurious and sounds fantastic thanks to the AMG sourced 4.0-litre V8 engine under the bonnet. Thankfully it also drives and handles exceptionally well and performance is impressive thanks to 550bhp on offer. Ultimately, whatever you think of the looks or the interior styling, the DBX is one of the most impressive luxury SUV options on the market and its residual value is stronger than most. With the average new price being around the £158,000 mark, 3 years and 36k miles should see approximately £95,000 of the value retained.

Lotus Eletre

For Lotus to abandon their ethos of ‘simplify and add lightness’ that they have used throughout their history shows how serious they are taking their new direction under new ownership. The Emira was their last hurrah of a combustion engine sports car, from now on it will be electric all the way. The Eletre was the first to be launched and could not have been a more radical departure from the norm. A wind sculpted all-electric super-luxurious performance SUV, with up to 900bhp and enough technology to impress a tech start up.

Those familiar with the brand are obviously not the new target customers, but the direction the car industry is heading that was never going to be sustainable. Its modern styling, active aerodynamic management, sumptuous interior, clever futuristic technology and a promise of Lotus sharp handling means that the Eletre is a very tempting prospect indeed. With an average list price of just over £90,000, the Eletre is likely to retain more than 60% of its original price over 3 years and 36,000 miles, holding on to around £55,000 in residual value.

Mercedes Benz G-Class

Retro influenced vehicles and restomods are all the rage right now, but no one has been doing it for longer than Mercedes Benz. Their military inspired G-Class for decades has been combining utilitarian looks with an abundance of power, the latest technology and Mercedes Benz luxury in a fashionable and stylish package. Its ability to not only blend all aspect together as one, but look just as ‘on trend’ covered in mud, pulling up outside a Michelin star restaurant or cruising down the motorway is a testament to its desirability and image power.

Whilst the flashy fire breathing G63 AMG ‘G-Wagon’ is what most people think of when it comes to the G-Class, it is the more understated and sensible G400d that retains its value better after 3 years and 36,000 miles. With its Premium Plus specification, its level of equipment and assistance systems is right up there with the very best, but its iconic boxy styling puts it miles ahead in the style stakes. The relatively high £131,000 average list price does little to deter buyers, with over 62% of the value being retained equalling a price of over £80,000 when it comes time to sell it.

Lamborghini Urus

For quite a few years now, the Lamborghini Urus has remained at the top of the SUV residual value retention charts and with good reason. Its ability to be the ‘ultimate one-car garage’ means it can be your supercar, luxury GT car, spacious SUV, track day toy, Winter snow conqueror and school run taxi all at the same time. There is a reason why the Urus is Lamborghini’s best-selling model of all time, and in the shortest time too, without the brand going against its beliefs just to meet sales figures. It still features futuristic angular styling, sounds and goes like a supercar should and looks just at home in bright orange, green or yellow than it does in black or grey.

The appeal and popularity of the Urus has taken everyone by surprise, yet it is this factor than means residual values continue to remain as strong as ever. The fact that the hybrid variant has just been launched will only add to the appeal of the model, with those likely to be selling well over list price for some time when they are delivered to their first customers. Despite being the most expensive car on this list with a list price of £185,000 for the Urus S, it also retains a huge 72.6% of its value after 3 years and 36,000 miles resulting in a resale value of almost £135,000. Nothing even comes close to the Urus for holding on to its value and it is easy to see why.

Oracle Finance SUV Funding

At Oracle Car Finance we are specialists in providing funding SUV’s, in fact SUV’s are the most popular cars we fund. Over 40% of the cars we funded so far this year were SUV’s of all shapes and sizes, meaning our expert Account Managers are well equipped to help you find that perfect finance package bespoke to you and your circumstances.

If you are looking at purchasing any of the above vehicles, our expert team have over 18 years experience in sourcing tailored car finance products, including these models mentioned above. Whatever type of car you’re looking for, you can get in touch with us either by calling 0800 012 6666 or clicking here.

With over 2,400 Trustpilot reviews and four-time consecutive award winners of the Best Specialist Car Finance Provider award from 2020 onwards, you too can find out why thousands of people trust us time and time again to find a smarter, tailored funding solution when looking for your next dream car.

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