3-Year-Old Cars And SUVs With Huge Depreciation Worth Buying Right Now

Depreciation is the perfect example of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s eye-widening to see your brand-new vehicle drop in value so quickly. Some cars, often expensive luxury cars and EVs, are so poor in this respect that their residual value more than halves in the first three years of ownership. Then again, it’s not all doom and gloom, as this dramatic loss in value allows for frugal, second-hand buyers to swoop in and grab a bargain. It’s common to find second-hand cars for around $30,000, which possess a host of modern technology, advanced features, and were manufactured in the 2020s. This strategy is the best of both worlds approach, as most cars of the past five years still have many years of service left to give, while also feeling like truly modern companions.

Of course, there are reasons why certain cars’ value drops so dramatically. A huge upfront cost is one of the main factors, as a similarly high price wouldn’t be competitive in a used market. However, there are more concerning reasons as well. Many of the vehicles that suffer from poor resale value have questionable reliability, scaring away buyers with the fear that they will become an endless money pit. But, with the right maintenance, there is plenty of life in many of these bargains yet, and in this examination, we will study 10 of them and whether they can justify your hard-earned money.

2023 Audi A7

39% Depreciation After Three Years

Audi

Though this is expensive compared to some other cars on this list, for under $40,000, the Audi A7 is one of the most well-equipped, stylish, and refined cars on this list. What’s appealing about the A7 is that it doesn’t depreciate because of poor reliability or brand uncertainty; it’s more to do with the A7 being lost in translation when it comes to Audi’s lineup. With a shift to e-trons, SUVs, and crossovers, the sleek and beautiful design of the 2023 A7 has left the Sportback segment in an unknown zone. By 2023, Audi had also ironed out the vast majority of mild-hybrid issues, and it meant you could enjoy a vehicle with wonderful build quality, Quattro DNA, and a virtual cockpit which still feels bleeding-edge in 2026. The $35,000 drop in value in the A7 has made it a truly tempting choice.

2023 Audi A7 55 TFSI Specifications

2023 Jeep Wagoneer

40% Depreciation After Three Years

Jeep

The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer may not be the vehicle to capture your heart on this list, but look at the amount of car and powertrain you are getting for the price, and things start to look impressive. The Wagoneer has class-leading space in its interior, with even third-row legroom being enough for your average adult. Not only can it carry seven people with ease, with space left for luggage, but it can also tow an incredible 10,000 pounds at the same time, once again matching or outclassing competitors like the Chevy Tahoe or Ford Expedition. Not only is it practical as a family and work vehicle, but the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six is Jeep’s secret weapon, allowing it to feel incredibly muscular for its $35,000 second-hand price. Depreciation falls fairly fast due to reliability concerns surrounding the early years of the engine, and paying lots of money for a typically non-luxury brand doesn’t appeal to people.

2023 Jeep Wagoneer Series II Specifications

2023 Maserati Grecale

40% Depreciation After Three Years

Maserati

The king of depreciation, of course, must feature on this list. The base model Grecale GT started at $63,500, which grants the Grecale its 40 percent depreciation, with examples now hovering around $40,000. This is a small number compared to the Quattroportes’ hilariously high depreciation rates. In many ways, it has a similar head-over-heart philosophy as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but features a longer wheelbase for far improved trunk space and rear leg-room compared to Alfa, making it a genuinely practical family car. The issue is, it’s still a nightmarish long-term purchase. With oil changes costing up to $500 from the main dealer, and general maintenance being eye-wateringly high, the 2023 Grecale starts to look like a terrible financial decision. Even if a Maserati cost $10, it would find a way to cost $10,000 within the first six months.

2023 Maserati Grecale Modena Specifications

2023 Nissan Armada

42% Depreciation After Three Years

Nissan

The Nissan Armada is one of only two base V8 options on this list, which is already a huge pull for a lot of traditional ICE fans. With prices now hovering around $30,000, you can experience the classic rumble of a V8, which just can’t be found in the 2026 lineup of SUVs. The Armada doesn’t quite live up to the quality feel of rival Lexus or Infiniti interiors, but it does get closer in the more expensive “platinum” trims. With quilted leather and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, the Nissan still feels at home in 2026 without being outdated. Though the robust body-on-frame construction and the V8 make the 2023 Armada feel insanely tough, depreciation is considerable due to a combination of poor economy and its aging platform.

2023 Nissan Armada Specifications

2023 Infiniti QX80

43% Depreciation After Three Years

Infiniti

The 2023 Infiniti QX80 is a truly luxurious used bargain. Though very similar to the Nissan Armada with its V8 soul, the Infiniti costs a reasonable chunk more but gives you a far improved sense of quality across the board. With its hydraulic body motion control replacing standard anti-roll bars, it manages to keep the 6,000-pound body in check, handling far better than vehicles with a similar weight and stature. With a cabin surrounded by semi-aniline quilted leather, open-pore wood, and your music playing on the high-end Bose sound system, the Infiniti QX80 is bound to give you the sensation of interior beauty like not much else on this list. Whilst the aging platform has meant that issues are all ironed out, it has caused the Infiniti to depreciate quickly, as, despite its quality, it is viewed as somewhat dated in 2026. Like the Nissan, the poor fuel economy also plays a huge role.

2023 Infiniti QX80 Specifications

2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

45% Depreciation After Three Years

Stellantis

It’s a fact that Alfa Romeos possess gorgeous styling, Italian flair, and scratch an itch for a petrol head that no other brand can. However, it is also a fact that modern Alfas suffer from around 50 percent depreciation after the first three years. This poses an exciting opportunity to scratch the Alfa itch for around $25,000 with a 2023 Stelvio. Sure, the SUV stature of the Stelvio may dampen its classic brand charm somewhat, but the model offers some of the finest handling in its class. With a near 50/50 weight distribution and surprisingly quick steering rack, this SUV ends up feeling supple in the corners where its competitors won’t. This bargain comes with some obvious caveats, with known issues with the electrics, dated tech, and classic Alfa reliability concerns. Overall, though, for a beautiful car that corners like a Porsche Macan and costs the same as an Audi Q3, it is an absolute steal.

2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Sprint, Ti, And Veloce Specifications

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

46% Depreciation After Three Years

Hyundai

The Ioniq 5 is currently seeing one of the steepest drops in value in its segment. Prices ranged between $41,450 for lower trim models to $52,600 for faster, AWD models. Fast-forward to 2026, and you can purchase one for $20,000 to $25,000, which is a bargain for such an eccentric and cutting-edge vehicle. Hyundai has carved out its own identity in recent years with its boxy design language, which feels like a true modernization of the 1980s. The value has dropped so rapidly, predominantly due to concerns about EV dependability and fast-paced innovations in the EV market, which make even three-year-old models seem dated. If you don’t mind a shorter range and not having a new car, the 2023 Ioniq 5 is an excellent buy. With its 10-year and 100,000-mile battery warranty, you still have seven years of worry-free driving.

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Specifications

2023 Kia EV6

46% Depreciation After Three Years

Kia

The Kia EV6 is another victim of the rapid acceleration in EV technology whirlwind, leading to consumers wanting more range and certainty from brand-new models. The 2023 EV6 itself is a striking-looking vehicle, which you can now pick up for around $23,000. The choice in trim is critical, though. There is the sporty AWD GT, which flies from 0–60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, but it does also feature a measly 206 miles of range — a huge downgrade from the 282 miles that the GT-line offers. What is truly impressive with the EV6 is how well the tech has aged. Charging speeds are still class-leading, as 10 percent to 80 percent takes an impressive 18 minutes. However, expect harder plastics in a more budget-oriented interior than other vehicles on this list, along with irritating touch-screen controls. But, with a bold, futuristic design and Kia’s robust 10-year/100,000 miles warranty, the EV6 is the definition of value for money.

2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line Specifications

2023 Jaguar XF

49% Depreciation After Three Years

Jaguar

In the final years before Jaguar moved to its EV-only future, the company was making the under-the-radar sedan, which was the wonderful Jaguar XF. A car that truly valued its owner, with gorgeous leather and high-quality trim surrounding you, in an inherently classic Jaguar fashion. Whilst its German rivals were dedicated and refined, the 2023 XF felt like true craftsmanship. These models included the 2.0-liter Ingenium engine. The powertrain’s abysmal reputation in its pre-2020 years for timing chain catastrophies solidified any future generation as worrisome, contributing to a steep 49 percent depreciation. It’s second-hand buyers who benefit from this, though, as this version of the Ingenium engine featured a much sturdier chain. Jags are notorious for their early drop in resale value, but for the XF, it means you can pick up a last of its generation sedan for just $25,000.

2023 Jaguar XF P300 R (AWD) Specifications

2023 Tesla Model 3

52% Depreciation After Three Years

Tesla

The 2023 RWD models can be picked up for an incredible $20,000, with longer-range models reaching above $25,000 for an extra 60 miles of range and 150 horsepower, making them more sensible and more exciting. Due to the post-2023 refresh for the Model 3, buyers generally prefer the 2024 to 2026 models. However, there are still so many logical reasons to buy a slightly older one at that $25,000 price point. Tesla’s supercharging network is still the most widespread in the USA, making it the ideal jump into the world of electric cars for many people. It is also the final year of the Model 3 to include the physical stalks for signaling and gear shifting, a more intuitive system than the change to steering wheel buttons. While Tesla’s build quality has significantly improved, there might be more issues than comparable sedans, especially second-hand German rivals.

2023 Tesla Model 3 (Long Range AWD) Specifications

Sources: JD Power, Fueleconomy.gov, iSeeCars