These Are The Cars That Don’t Depreciate

A new report from Cox Automotive has revealed the cars with the least amount of depreciation.

While most vehicles are expected to become less valuable after they’re driven from the dealership lot, there are a handful that buck the trend – with a rare handful being worth more second-hand than they are new.

However, this can be because manufacturers increase the prices of the model, making the used vehicle more expensive than it was initially – but still less expensive than the brand-new equivalent.

At the top of the list is the popular Suzuki Jimny, with an average residual value of 121 per cent for vehicles between two and four years old.

The current-generation Jimny launched in 2021 at $25,990 before on-road costs for the base model, with buyers lining up to take delivery for up to 12 months.

By 2023, the base price for a Jimny had risen to $30,490 – with fewer features than before – with many buyers willing to pay a premium for a lightly used vehicle with no waiting time.

Cox Automotive’s SmartPublisher software shows the Toyota LandCruiser coming in second, with an average residual value of 113.1 per cent for vehicles two-to-four years old.

In a similar story to the Jimny, wait times for 300 Series LandCruiser mean some buyers are happy to pay extra to skip the queue – even if it means buying an older car.

In the case of the 70 Series LandCruiser, there’s been a quiet rush for buyers to pick up the last of the turbo-diesel V8-powered models, after Toyota introduced a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine to the range.

In third place is the Land Rover Defender, with an average residual value of 103.9 per cent for vehicles up to four years old.

With the exception of the Kia Picanto in sixth position – retaining 100.3 per cent of its value up to four years from new – the Top Ten list is made up all of Toyota models.

From the Yaris Cross in fourth position, with 101.9 per cent, to the HiAce (101.3 per cent), as well as the Corolla (97.7 per cent), the HiLux (97.5 per cent), the Camry (96.9 per cent), and the RAV4 in 10th with 96.9 per cent.

For vehicles aged between five and seven years old, the Jimny also takes first position, with a residual value of 120.6 per cent.

This is followed by the Toyota Yaris (103.7 per cent) and the LandCruiser (98.8 per cent).

While the LandCruiser moves up one place to second position for vehicles aged between eight and 10 years old – at 92.1 per cent – it’s the HSV Clubsport which has the best residual value, with 96.3 per cent.

For vehicles more than 10 years old, the HSV Clubsport moves to third position with an average residual value of 76.3 per cent.

In second position is the previous-generation Suzuki Jimny, with 80.9 per cent, while the HSV Maloo ute takes the podium, retaining 86.9 per cent of its value.

To view the full report, contact Mike Costello at Cox Automotive by clicking here.