Depreciation is a factor that affects almost every new car currently available in the U.S., especially those that sit in the luxury and electric car industries. This is one of the biggest drawbacks when considering a new vehicle purchase, but it also often makes the used market an appealing one to consider if you want a lightly pre-owned model at a much lower price.
There are some drawbacks to consider when it comes to buying used. You don’t get to specify a model to your exact tastes, and you don’t have a clear idea of how well a car has been looked after, even with service records. Thankfully, this isn’t as serious for one-year-old models, thus mitigating the risk that you’d have to take on. These options have suffered the worst depreciation after one year, making them immensely attractive considerations for 2026.
The models in this list have been extensively researched to ensure the most accurate information possible as of the time of publishing. Models are listed based on their five-year depreciation rates, from best to worst.
10
2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Five-Year Depreciation: 45.6%
The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer holds a 45.6 percent or $10,498 depreciation estimate from iSeeCars, which is much better than the other entries on this list, but considerably poor for the compact SUV segment. Pricing for this model started at $23,100 for the base Trailblazer LS model. J.D. Power publishes current used values to be between $20,811 and $32,313. It also issues the range with an 86/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 86/100 for quality and reliability, 86/100 for the driving experience, 96/100 for resale, and 84/100 for the dealership experience.
Chevrolet Trailblazer Reliability
Existing owners of the 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer have taken to Edmunds to issue the model with a 4/5 overall rating, with interior spacing, the driving experience, and the visual appearance being key positives. It garners some criticism for returning poor reliability and manufacturing quality, loud road noise at speed, and substandard braking performance.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $330 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,077 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
9
2024 Tesla Model 3
Five-Year Depreciation: 57%
The 2024 Tesla Model 3 holds a $24,217 or 57 percent depreciation estimate from iSeeCars. The base model would have cost you $38,990 a year ago, which is more than the new base Model 3‘s $36,990 MSRP. J.D. Power issues this model with a 79/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 74/100 for quality and reliability, 82/100 for the driving experience, and 85/100 for resale.
Tesla Model 3 Reliability
The 2024 Tesla Model 3currently maintains a 4/5 owner review score on Edmunds, with key strengths being its value proposition, driving experience, and easy-to-use technology. It does lose some points for offering poor outward visibility and an odd steering feel.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $499 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $3,222 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 15
8
2024 Polestar 2
Five-Year Depreciation: 60.6%
The 2024 Polestar 2 earns a $39,266 or 60.6 percent depreciation estimate from iSeeCars. When new, you would have spent $49,900 on the base Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor configuration. J.D. Power notes that one-year-old models now sell for $49,900 to $63,000, depending on the condition, mileage, and specification. The range holds a 69/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 65/100 for quality and reliability, 73/100 for the driving experience, and 71/100 for resale.
The Polestar 2 showed me that, although it’s an EV, it can provide thrills to even the most hardcore driving enthusiast. Remove its traction control systems, and this zero-emission sedan gracefully kicks out its tail, all while lurching forward thanks to an overabundance of grip.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
Polestar 2 Reliability
Existing owners of the 2024 Polestar 2 have taken to Edmunds to issue it with a 3.8/5 overall rating, citing key strengths to be its acceleration, handling and steering, and overall driving experience, but it loses some points for returning poor technology, a substandard interior experience, and a poor-performing infotainment system.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,736 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
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7
2024 Tesla Model Y
Five-Year Depreciation: 60.8%
The 2024 Tesla Model Y currently holds a 60.8 percent or $36,499 depreciation estimate from iSeeCars. Pricing for this model started at $42,990 when it was new a year ago, but you can buy one for around $25,671 to $33,611 as of right now, according to J.D. Power. The 2024 Model Y holds a 78/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 70/100 for quality and reliability, 86/100 for the driving experience, and 85/100 for resale.
Tesla Model Y Reliability
The Tesla Model Y holds a 3.8/5 overall score on Edmunds, with noteworthy strengths being its driving experience, reliability and manufacturing quality, and acceleration. It does earn some criticism for not offering the best value, outward visibility, and infotainment system.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $600 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,732 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 5
6
2024 Volkswagen ID.4
Five-Year Depreciation: 62%
iSeeCars issues the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 range with a 62 percent or $24,786 five-year depreciation estimate. When new, one year ago, this ID.4 model would have cost you $39,735 MSRP for the base Standard model. J.D. Power suggests that this model year now sells for $33,848 to $57,918, depending on the specification, mileage, and condition.
Volkswagen ID.4 Reliability
The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 range holds a relatively low 3.7/5 average score on the Edmunds owner review section, with owners citing its interior space, driving experience, and value as key benefits, but reliability and manufacturing quality, technological features, and outward visibility as noteworthy concerns.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $676 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,769 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
5
2024 Tesla Model X
Five-Year Depreciation: 63.4%
The 2024 Tesla Model X holds a 63.4 percent and $53,846 depreciation score from iSeeCars. You would have spent $79,990 on a new Model X if you bought it a year ago, which J.D. Power suggests now sells for anywhere between $47,373 and $65,409, depending on the mileage, condition, and usage. It sits with a 79/100 consumer-verified overall score, including 72/100 for the quality and reliability, 90/100 for the driving experience, and 83/100 for resale.
Tesla Model X Reliability
The 2024 Tesla Model X holds a 3.3/5 overall consumer review score on Edmunds, which is the lowest on this list. It earns some praise for its acceleration abilities, comfortable ride quality, and high interior comfort levels, but many criticize it for its poor reliability and manufacturing quality, technological features, and poor value proposition.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $748 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,885 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
This Used Luxury Sedan Nails Practicality, Comfort, And Value
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4
2024 Maserati Levante
Five-Year Depreciation: 63.4%
The 2024 Maserati Levante boasts the highest starting MSRP on this list, with the 2024 model costing $102,000 when new. The chic Italian SUV suffers from a $64,635 or 63.4 percent depreciation estimate from iSeeCars, resulting in it earning a 6.9/10 retained value score. J.D. Power doesn’t have any used pricing data for the 2024 Levante, as it is an exclusive and niche offering with limited examples to sample.
From the moment you hit the starter button, you know it’s going to be an entertaining drive. The V-8 roars to life with just enough overrun and an unmistakable Maserati growl. Switch it into sport mode, and the Ferrari-sourced engine gargles even louder with a speedboat-like lope at idle.
– Garret Donahue for TopSpeed
Maserati Levante Reliability
Interestingly, the 2024 Maserati Levante currently holds a 4/5 owner review average on Edmunds, with existing owners indicating its visual presence, interior, and manufacturing quality to be key strengths. It does draw some criticism for not offering the best value, having expensive maintenance and parts, and returning poor fuel consumption figures.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,175 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $11,394 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
3
2024 Tesla Model S
Five-Year Depreciation: 65.1%
iSeeCars indicates that the 2024 Tesla Model S holds a 65.1 percent or $52,095 depreciation estimate after five years, with pricing for this model year starting at $74,990 when new. You can pick up a one-year-old Model S for anywhere between $47,283 and $65,575 today, including the flagship Plaid model, according to J.D. Power. This model earns an 80/100 consumer-verified overall score, consisting of 75/100 for quality and reliability, 85/100 for the driving experience, and 85/100 for resale.
Tesla Model S Reliability
Existing owners of the 2024 Tesla Model S take to Edmunds to issue it with a 3.5/5 average score, highlighting the driving experience, acceleration, and overall value as key positives, but the reliability and manufacturing quality, steering wheel, and road noise to be noteworthy weaknesses.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $500 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,566 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 5
2
2024 Lucid Air
Five-Year Depreciation: 66.3%
iSeeCars issues the 2024 Lucid Air with a 66.3 percent and $46,375 depreciation estimate, with pricing for this model year starting at $69,900. J.D. Power suggests that these models currently sell for $40,894 to $86,083, but it’s clear that this does not include the Sapphire flagship performance model.
The drive home was smooth, quiet, and seamless. And since this car is so flat and low to the ground from the way it was designed, the Air genuinely feels like a sports car from behind the wheel, a feeling emphasized in this world of top-heavy SUVs.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
Lucid Air Reliability
The 2024 Lucid Air holds a surprisingly low 3.4/5 owner review average score on Edmunds, with key strengths being its technological features, driving experience, and interior spacing. Some owners have criticized the Lucid Air for its reliability and manufacturing quality, braking performance, and climate control issues.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,703 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $2,510 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
Fastest Used Cars Under $20,000
In an age of ridiculously inflated used car prices, these high-performance bargains are true gems that can all be yours for less than $20,000
1
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS
Five-Year Depreciation: 73.3%
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan suffers from a staggeringly poor 73.3 percent or $76,572 depreciation rate from iSeeCars. When new, this would have cost you $104,400 for the base 450+ derivative. J.D. Power indicates that the range, including the flagship AMG and Maybach derivatives, now sells for anywhere between $73,162 and $189,122.
Mercedes-Benz EQS Reliability
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan holds a 4.2/5 average score on the Edmunds owner review section. Key strengths include good ride quality, appealing energy efficiency returns, and high interior comfort levels, but it loses appeal because of its overbearing technological features, poor brake performance, and reliability and manufacturing quality.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $700 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,724 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1