Premium SUV Residual Values: The New Yardstick Market Watch

Buying a premium SUV is a significant investment, but the list price is only part of the story. To discover which models best protect owners' money, The New Yardstick Market Watch compared eight premium SUVs using identical Auto Trader search criteria.

Every vehicle is registered from 2023 onwards, has covered no more than 35,000 miles, has no Category S or Category N history, and is the cheapest qualifying example available at the time of research.

Current UK manufacturer list prices were then compared with today's used values to estimate how much value each model is likely to retain after around three years of ownership.

The figures reveal several surprises, challenging a few long-held assumptions about premium SUV ownership. Here's how all eight models ranked, from weakest to strongest residual value

8. Land Rover Range Rover Velar D200 - 50.6%
RRP from: £55,460
Used price from: £28,063

The Velar combines elegant styling, a premium interior and impressive technology, making it one of the most desirable-looking SUVs in its class. However, strong showroom appeal hasn't translated into equally strong residual values.

Concerns surrounding the long-term reliability of some 2.0-litre Ingenium engines are likely to have influenced buyer confidence, while the used market appears to favour other Land-Rover models.

The Velar remains an attractive luxury SUV, but these figures suggest there are stronger choices for buyers focused on long-term value retention. (Image credit: JLR)

7. Audi Q7 45 TDI - 51%
RRP from: £72,400
Used price from: £36,950

The Audi Q7 is one of the biggest vehicles in this comparison and one of only two to offer seven seats, making it an obvious choice for larger families. However, the extra practicality hasn't translated into noticeably stronger residual values.

The figures suggest buyers aren't willing to pay a significant premium simply for the additional seating. That makes the Q7 an appealing used purchase, where buyers gain a lot of premium SUV for the money, but a less convincing investment when bought new. (Image credit: Audi)

6. Volvo XC90 B5 - 51.8%
RRP from: £66,270
Used price from: £34,330

The Volvo XC90 continues to attract buyers looking for a dependable, premium family SUV. Its reputation for safety, comfort and sensible ownership has helped it remain competitive on the used market.

However, like the Audi Q7, its seven-seat layout hasn't translated into significantly stronger residual values. Instead, the XC90 shows that practicality alone isn't enough to guarantee the best long-term value retention. (Image credit: Volvo)

5. Mercedes-Benz GLE 350de - 52.4%
RRP from: £83,615
Used price from: £43,850

The Mercedes-Benz GLE performs much as you'd expect from one of the premium SUV segment's longest-established nameplates. It doesn't top the rankings, but neither does it suffer unusually heavy depreciation, placing it firmly among its German rivals.

Strong brand recognition, broad model choice and enduring buyer demand help support used values, even if they aren't class-leading. For those seeking a luxurious, capable SUV, the GLE continues to represent a dependable choice with reassuringly predictable value retention. (Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)

4. BMW X5 xDrive30d - 54.3%
RRP from: £74,280
Used price from: £40,299

The BMW X5 has long been one of the benchmarks in the premium SUV segment, making its mid-table finish particularly interesting. Rather than standing apart from its rivals, the X5 delivers solid, predictable residual values that closely mirror the wider premium SUV market.

It may not be the outright winner for value retention, but neither does it disappoint. For buyers, it remains a reassuringly safe choice, balancing strong desirability with competitive long-term ownership costs. (Image credit: BMW)

3. Lexus RX 350h - 56.7%
RRP from: £63,445
Used price from: £35,990

The Lexus RX quietly secures one of the strongest results in this comparison, reinforcing its reputation as a dependable, well-built premium SUV. Often overlooked by buyers who naturally gravitate towards more familiar premium brands, the RX offers proven hybrid technology, excellent refinement and a strong reputation for reliability.

Those qualities continue to resonate with used buyers, helping support impressive residual values. It may not grab headlines, but the RX demonstrates that sensible engineering and long-term trust can pay dividends. (Image credit: Lexus)

2. Land Rover Range Rover Sport D300 - 58.6%
RRP from: £88,695
Used price from: £51,999

The Range Rover Sport demonstrates that buyers are willing to pay a premium for the right SUV. Despite costing significantly more than the Velar when new, its stronger residual values narrow the real-world ownership gap, highlighting the appeal of the larger model.

The results reinforce the Range Rover Sport's position as one of the benchmarks in the premium SUV segment, combining desirability with impressive value retention.

For buyers able to stretch to one, the extra outlay may prove far less costly over time than the list price initially suggests. (Image credit: JLR)

1. Maserati Grecale 2.0 300hp - 65.0%
RRP from: £59,990
Used price from: £38,999

The biggest surprise in this comparison comes from the Maserati Grecale. For years, Maserati was associated with heavy depreciation, not least because models such as the Ghibli were produced in far greater numbers and frequently appeared on dealer forecourts in large volumes.

The Grecale tells a different story. Maserati's lower-volume strategy may attract headlines for reducing sales, but it also appears to be supporting stronger residual values for owners.

Beyond the numbers, the Grecale is an accomplished premium SUV, offering engaging handling, distinctive Italian character and a cabin that feels every bit as premium as anything else in this class.

Despite those strengths, it often remains overlooked by buyers who instinctively gravitate towards more established choices. If these figures are anything to go by, that may be a mistake. The Grecale doesn't just top this comparison – it suggests Maserati has quietly rewritten expectations for what owning one could cost over the long term. (Image credit: Maserati)

Model	Current RRP	Used Price	£ Lost	Value Retained
Maserati Grecale 2.0 300hp	£59,990	£38,999	£20,991	65.0%
Land Rover Range Rover Sport D300	£88,695	£51,999	£36,696	58.6%
Lexus RX 350h	£63,445	£35,990	£27,455	56.7%
BMW X5 xDrive30d	£74,280	£40,299	£33,981	54.3%
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350de	£83,615	£43,850	£39,765	52.4%
Volvo XC90 B5	£66,270	£34,330	£31,940	51.8%
Audi Q7 45 TDI	£72,400	£36,950	£35,450	51.0%
Land Rover Range Rover Velar D200	£55,460	£28,063	£27,397	50.6%