9 Cars That Could Drop in Value Fast — While You Owe More Than They're Worth
Depreciation is a dirty word when it comes to building wealth, and no asset is perhaps more famous for its brisk rate of nigh-guaranteed depreciation than your brand-new vehicle.
So which cars, trucks, and SUVs are the quickest to drop in value, perhaps leaving you underwater on your loan financing or lease? One thing’s for certain, at least according to a recent iSeeCars study: The answer is likely to be an EV or luxury vehicle, with nearly all (24 of 25) of the fastest-depreciating vehicles falling beneath this umbrella. Here are eight standouts from the roundup, plus a ninth to watch out for, according to an expert.
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1. Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf may be a popular choice with motorists considering an electric vehicle, but the numbers indicate it’s potentially a very bad investment — shedding nearly two-thirds (63.1%) of its MSRP over the course of five years of ownership, for a loss of $17,743.
One small caveat, however: The Nissan Leaf has been completely redesigned as of the 2026 model year, meaning that it’s a bit difficult to gain a handle on how this new iteration might fare in the long run.
2. Infiniti QX80
Another victim of a recent redesign hurting value retention, the Infiniti QX80 shed a whopping $52,631 of its initial sale price on average during a five-year time frame. Again, as with the Leaf, it’s tough to forecast exactly how the newest model might fare.
“Luxury vehicles offer an appealing blend of upscale styling, premium interior materials, and the latest in automotive technology," said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer, "but if you’re buying a new car and looking to retain maximum value, you’ll want to avoid most luxury models.”
Brauer added that the used car market doesn’t value these factors.
3. Volkwagen ID.4
This EV placed third on the rankings, losing $28,010 over the five-year span or 62.8% of its original value.
4. Tesla Model S
Tesla’s Model S nabbed the No. 4 spot overall on the iSeeCars list, whether due to high maintenance and replacement fees, public concerns over having to replace the battery pack due to degradation in the near future (a fear contested by Inside EVs as largely unfounded) or simple sociopolitical friction with the automaker’s CEO, Elon Musk.
Brauer pointed to the sky-high up-front cost of buying an EV, including Tesla models, as hurting their value on the secondary market.
“That high up-front cost comes back to haunt electric cars on the used market, where buyers aren’t willing to pay the premium,” he said.
All in all, purchasers of a brand-new Tesla Model S are looking at a five-year depreciation of $58,907.
5. Land Rover Range Rover
A pricey and very large full-size SUV, the Range Rover shed nearly $70k over five years ($69,856 on average, to be more precise) or about 61.7% of its MSRP.
6. BMW 7 Series
Another luxury casualty on the list, and pegged at No. 6, the BMW 7 Series suffered a 61.6% loss in its showroom valuation — or $61,141 on average.
7. Tesla Model X
For similar reasons to the Model S, the Model X falls quite a bit in value — more than the S in dollars after its $61,216 tumble, but slightly less in overall percentage off a higher MSRP sticker: 61.2% when all is said and done.
8. Ford Mustang Mach-E
Sure, it’s a sporty ride — but the Ford Mustang Mach-E also loses a lot of value over a five-year time-span — $22,976, in fact.
Coming in on the eighth slot on the list, all of the Mustang Mach-E’s bold aesthetics and high-performance specs couldn’t save it on the secondary market.
9. Nissan Ariya
It's not on the iSeeCars list but the Nissan Ariya is due for a drop.
Jason Allan, founder of used-car marketplace Bestest, pointed to the Nissan Ariya as an EV to watch in terms of upcoming depreciation, given the circumstances around its planned exit from the new vehicle market.
“The Nissan Ariya electric vehicle was recently discontinued, and there's a wave of lease returns heading to market. That's a recipe for a sharp drop in resale value,” Allan said.
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact year, make or model of the vehicle(s) listed in this article.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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