SUVs That Retain Their Value

9 years ago - 27 November 2015, Autoblog

According to the industry experts at Edmunds.com, the automobile brand that best holds its value after five years of ownership is Toyota. In the luxury-vehicle category, the award goes to Acura.

While it's good to know which brands best hold their value overall, the performance of individual nameplates in each specific vehicle segment varies, from compact cars to fullsize pickup trucks. Put another way, choosing a Toyota no matter what – while perhaps not the worst strategy in the world for money misers – doesn't necessarily mean you're maximizing the chances of taking the smallest financial hit when it comes time to sell your car.

With that in mind, follow along as we run through this list of SUVs that retain the most value in a segment-by-segment basis.

HONDA CR-V

In the compact crossover segment, no vehicle is expected to retain more of its original value than the Honda CR-V, according to Edmunds. Other good choices include the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

Toyota Highlander

Taking top honors in the midsize crossover category is the Toyota Highlander. Not only will the Highlander retain more value after five years than other vehicles in its segment, according to Edmunds, it also seats up to eight passengers. That makes it a good choice for families who will put its available all-wheel-drive system to good use.

GMC Acadia

Stepping up one class to fullsize crossovers, the GMC Acadia beats out the Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse as the top choice for retaining value.

Interestingly, all three of these vehicles from General Motors share the same large platform.

Acura RDX

Considering Acura's standing atop the overall rankings of luxury brands that retain their value, it doesn't come as much of a surprise that the RDX earns Edmunds' recommendation in the entry-level luxury SUV segment.

It's interesting to note, however, that the best-selling Lexus RX, which is available in both standard V6 and fuel-saving hybrid forms, falls into the same category but doesn't retain quite as much of its value as the RDX.

Lexus GX 460

The Lexus GX 460 has a well-earned reputation as a long-lasting and durable off-road-ready platform. With its big V8 engine, the GX isn't particularly efficient, but that doesn't stop it from retaining more value in the midrange luxury SUV segment than any of its competitors, according to Edmunds.

Mercedes G-Class

With its rugged, boxy looks, the Mercedes G-Class SUV has garnered a reputation as both a highly capable off-road warrior and a typical choice for wealthy people who at least want to look like they're ready to go off road. In any case, the G-Class beats out competitors that include the Cadillac Escalade in the premium luxury SUV category when it comes to retaining value, says Edmunds.

Jeep Wrangler

In the midsize traditional SUV segment, no competitor can match the iconic Jeep Wrangler when it comes time to take the fun off the pavement. According to Edmunds, no competitor retains as much value after five years, either.

Of course, the number of real traditional SUVs that legitimately compete with the Jeep Wrangler is dwindling year by year, leaving those wanting a truly off-road-capable vehicle with few places other than their local Jeep dealership to turn.

GMC Yukon

In the large traditional SUV category, the GMC Yukon is expected to retain more value after five years than any other vehicle, according to Edmunds. Falling close behind is another GM product, namely the Chevy Tahoe.

As was the case with the Jeep Wrangler, there aren't many so-called traditional SUVs currently for sale in America, as the marketplace shifts from body-on-frame architecture to unibody designs. That leaves vehicles like the GMC Yukon with very little competition.