Off-road vehicles offer the thrill of adventure and rugged capability, but not all of them keep their value over time. Some models lose their resale worth faster than others, leaving owners with a steeper drop in investment. In this list, we highlight 25 off-road vehicles that fail to retain value, so you can make a more informed choice before your next purchase.
Contents
Jeep Renegade
Despite being marketed as a fun, adventurous off-roader, the Jeep Renegade underperforms in power and capability compared to larger Jeep models. Its small size, combined with less-than-stellar reliability and an abundance of similarly priced competitors, results in lower resale value. Buyers often turn to more established models in the segment, leaving the Renegade with less demand in the used market.
Nissan Xterra
Once a popular off-road SUV, the Nissan Xterra has fallen behind in terms of technology and design. With its discontinuation in 2015, buyers hesitate to purchase a vehicle without long-term support. Its aging features, combined with limited availability of modern safety technology, contribute to its steep depreciation, despite its off-road credibility.
Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery is known for its luxury and off-road capability, but high maintenance costs and frequent reliability issues make it a risky purchase in the used market. Owners face expensive repairs, and this, coupled with heavy depreciation, makes it one of the quickest to lose value among luxury off-roaders.
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Though the ZR2 trim is built for off-road adventures, it suffers from steep depreciation due to competition in the mid-size truck market and the preference for full-size trucks. Its resale value drops faster than its full-size sibling, the Silverado, making it a less appealing investment for those looking to recoup their money.
Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia is a large, powerful SUV with excellent reliability, but its high initial price and poor fuel economy turn off potential buyers. Additionally, as newer models with more advanced features emerge, the Sequoia’s dated design struggles to compete, leading to significant depreciation over time.
Ford Bronco Sport
As the smaller, more road-friendly sibling of the Ford Bronco, the Bronco Sport doesn’t offer the same off-road prowess. Its limited off-road capability and its compact size make it less desirable compared to more robust alternatives, leading to a quicker drop in resale value.
Subaru Crosstrek
While the Subaru Crosstrek is reliable and affordable, its modest engine performance and less rugged off-road capability prevent it from holding its value. Buyers often choose more capable off-road vehicles, making the Crosstrek less appealing in the secondhand market despite its reputation for reliability.
Ram 1500 Rebel
The Ram 1500 Rebel is marketed for off-road enthusiasts, but full-size trucks tend to depreciate rapidly after purchase. Additionally, with newer models entering the market every few years, older Rebel trims face stiff competition, causing their value to drop faster than expected.
GMC Canyon AT4
Like the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon AT4 is a capable off-road truck that suffers from mid-size truck market competition. It depreciates quickly, especially as buyers often opt for larger trucks with more space and power, causing the Canyon AT4 to lose value rapidly.
Mitsubishi Montero
Once a popular off-road choice, the Mitsubishi Montero now struggles to hold its value due to Mitsubishi’s dwindling presence in the U.S. market. Limited availability of parts and service, combined with an outdated design, have caused its depreciation to accelerate over the years.
Honda Passport
Despite Honda’s reputation for reliability, the Passport’s off-road credentials fall short compared to competitors. Its high initial price tag and average off-road capability make it less attractive to used buyers, causing it to depreciate faster than more rugged SUVs in the segment.
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk offers decent off-road capability, but it’s often overlooked in favor of the more capable Wrangler. Reliability concerns and a relatively high price compared to competitors hurt its resale value, making it one of the quicker-depreciating Jeep models.
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe is large and powerful, but its size, lower fuel efficiency, and high initial cost make it a poor choice for buyers looking for long-term value retention. As gas prices fluctuate and buyers opt for more fuel-efficient models, the Tahoe’s resale value continues to decline.
Ford Ranger FX4
The Ford Ranger FX4 is a capable off-road truck, but it faces stiff competition from more established models like the Toyota Tacoma. This, along with its relatively high starting price, leads to faster depreciation as buyers tend to favor trucks with stronger reputations for longevity.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Though luxurious, the Range Rover Evoque is plagued by poor reliability ratings and high maintenance costs. These factors, combined with its high initial price, result in steep depreciation, making it one of the worst luxury SUVs in terms of retaining value.
Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada is a large, powerful SUV with decent off-road capability, but its poor fuel economy and high ownership costs deter many buyers. Its lower demand in the secondhand market leads to rapid depreciation, especially when compared to more efficient alternatives.
Jeep Compass Trailhawk
The Compass Trailhawk is an affordable off-road option, but its limited reliability and relatively weak engine hurt its resale value. With competition from both within Jeep’s own lineup and other brands, it depreciates faster than other off-road-capable vehicles in its class.
Toyota 4Runner
While certain trims of the Toyota 4Runner are highly valued, some of the more expensive options face steep depreciation. Its higher price, coupled with minimal feature updates, means newer buyers are often drawn to lower trims or other, more feature-packed models.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is synonymous with luxury, but its exorbitant price tag and high cost of ownership make it one of the worst luxury SUVs for value retention. Buyers face steep depreciation as its off-road capability often gets overshadowed by its focus on status over substance.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe offers adventure-ready trims, but its off-road capability pales compared to others in the segment. Buyers looking for serious off-road vehicles overlook the Santa Fe, and its brand’s lack of rugged reputation contributes to faster depreciation.
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is a large SUV with good off-road capability, but its high fuel consumption and premium price tag scare off potential buyers. This, coupled with stiff competition from more fuel-efficient rivals, results in rapid depreciation.
Lexus GX 460
Though luxurious and capable off-road, the Lexus GX 460 suffers from a dated design that has remained relatively unchanged for years. Buyers seeking modern technology and features look elsewhere, causing the GX 460 to lose its value faster than other luxury SUVs.
Chevrolet Blazer
The revived Chevrolet Blazer nameplate doesn’t live up to the off-road reputation of its predecessors. Its more crossover-like design and limited off-road capability result in quicker depreciation, especially when compared to other, more capable competitors.
Suzuki Jimny
Beloved in certain off-road communities, the Suzuki Jimny’s niche appeal and limited availability in some markets make its resale value unpredictable. While it may hold value in specific regions, overall, it depreciates quickly in markets where it has limited presence.
Volkswagen Atlas
Though the Volkswagen Atlas is marketed as a rugged family SUV, it struggles with off-road credibility. Buyers prefer more established off-road brands, leading to the Atlas losing value faster, especially in a competitive market filled with more capable alternatives.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
More from MyCarMakesNoise
19 Sleek Aviation Designs That Revolutionized Air Travel
Aviation has seen incredible advancements over the years, with certain aircraft designs playing a major role in shaping the future of flight. From sleek commercial jets to cutting-edge military planes, these innovations have changed how we travel and defend the skies. Read More
17 Motorcycles That Looked Fast but Were Painfully Slow
Not all motorcycles live up to their looks. Some bikes have sleek, aggressive designs that make them seem like they’re built for speed, but in reality, they’re surprisingly slow. Whether due to underpowered engines or heavy frames, these motorcycles disappoint when it comes to performance. Read More
19 Boutique Car Makers Crafting High-Performance Vehicles
In the world of high-performance cars, boutique manufacturers stand out for their craftsmanship, innovation, and exclusivity. These niche car makers push the boundaries of speed and design, offering unique vehicles that rival those from major brands. Read More
