SUVs are often treated as comparatively safe purchases because demand for the body style remains broad across Europe and other major markets. But a Jalopnik review of five-year depreciation identifies seven SUVs that have shed value at a notably rapid rate.
The selection includes models from recognisable, premium-positioned brands, challenging the assumption that a prestigious badge automatically protects residual value. Brand image can support used-car demand, but it does not guarantee that a vehicle will retain a strong share of its original price.
Depreciation matters beyond private ownership. It shapes leasing rates, company-car budgets and the total cost of ownership calculations used by fleet operators. A steep fall in resale value can outweigh advantages in equipment, performance or purchase incentives.
For buyers, the findings underline the value of checking model-specific residual trends before committing to an SUV. Rapid depreciation can create compelling opportunities in the used market, while purchasers of new vehicles should factor likely resale performance into the ownership decision.
