12 Luxury Cars That Depreciate Over 50% in Three Years
That brand-new luxury sedan loses value faster than you might think. These 12 high-end vehicles depreciate dramatically within just three years, leaving owners with a fraction of their original investment.
1. BMW 7 Series
You'd think dropping $97,000 on BMW's flagship sedan would hold its value. Think again. After three years, you're looking at maybe $48,000, a gut-wrenching 51% loss, or roughly $49,000 vanished. Expensive maintenance and BMW's relentless updates make older versions feel ancient fast.
2. Mercedes S-Class
The benchmark luxury sedan commands $118,000 new, but three years later? Expect around $58,000. That's a $60,000 haircut, roughly 51% depreciation. Tech in this segment moves fast, last year's cutting-edge quickly becomes yesterday's news.
3. Maserati Ghibli
Italian passion meets brutal depreciation. The Ghibli starts at $80,000 and sheds 55% in three years, about $44,000 gone. Buyers discovered that beneath the exotic badge lurked Chrysler parts and dealer headaches.
4. Jaguar XJ
The British flagship started around $76,000 and depreciated so hard the model was discontinued entirely. A three-year-old XJ? Maybe $33,000, that's 57% depreciation. Reliability concerns made used buyers run.
5. Audi A8
Starting at $89,000, Audi's flagship loses badly. Expect around $40,000 after three years, a 55% drop, or $49,000 in losses. Those smooth air suspensions? Expensive nightmares for second owners.
6. Lincoln Continental
Ford revived the Continental at $67,500, but couldn't revive interest. Three years later: $27,000, a shocking 60% depreciation. Lincoln abandoned sedans entirely, leaving owners with orphaned vehicles.
7. Cadillac CT6
GM's $97,000 flagship arrived as Americans abandoned sedans. After three years? About $39,000, a 60% loss. Production ended quickly, nearly $58,000 in depreciation.
8. Volvo S90
Swedish style meets steep depreciation. Starting at $57,500, the S90 drops to around $26,000 in three years, 55% loss, or $31,500 gone. Lower brand prestige means steeper drops.
9. Genesis G90
Hyundai's flagship offers tremendous value at $89,000 new, but the used market isn't convinced. After three years: $40,000, a 55% depreciation. Brand perception still lags.
10. Alfa Romeo Giulia
The gorgeous Italian at $46,000 loses value as fast as it corners. Three-year resale: around $21,000, a 54% drop. Reliability concerns hurt. That $25,000 depreciation is the price of passion.
11. Infiniti Q70
Starting at $52,000, Nissan's luxury sedan struggled. A three-year-old Q70 fetches maybe $21,000, 60% loss, $31,000 gone. Infiniti's pivot to crossovers left sedan owners stranded.
12. Lexus LS
Even the reliable Lexus flagship at $78,000 suffers here. After three years: $39,000, a 50% loss. Buyers at this price prefer leasing new. Still $39,000 in depreciation.
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