Nissan Leaf — Pioneering EV Facing a Competitive Used Market
~54–60%+3-Year Depreciation (varies by year)
62.9%5-Year Depreciation (iSeeCars)
The Nissan Leaf was among the first mass-market electric vehicles to reach consumers at scale, and that pioneering position comes with a significant financial cost in the resale market today. According to iSeeCars, the Nissan Leaf depreciates 62.9 percent after five years, with a resale value of approximately $10,434. Kelley Blue Book data for the 2024 model year shows a 54 percent depreciation over the most recent comparable period. Data compiled by MoneyDigest using Kelley Blue Book figures indicates that both the 2018 and 2021 Leaf models depreciated over 60 percent in just three years, placing them in the 75th to 100th percentile for depreciation among all hatchbacks from their respective model years. Independent rankings of EV resale value consistently place the Nissan Leaf near the top of worst-depreciation lists, with five-year value losses in the approximately 64 percent range according to Recharged. Earlier Leaf models also had batteries that degraded faster due to lacking an active thermal management system, further contributing to lower resale values. A used market flooded with lease returns and heavy dealer incentives on new models has compounded the pricing pressure on secondhand Leafs. While the vehicle remains functional and cost-effective to operate, its resale performance reflects both its age and the rapid advancement of competitor models offering meaningfully greater range.
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Hyundai Kona Electric — Compact EV Resale in a Shifting Market
~37–40%+3-Year Retained Value (approx.)
58–60%5-Year Depreciation (CarEdge/Recharged)
The Hyundai Kona Electric presents a more nuanced picture than the luxury EVs above, but its position on this list reflects confirmed analysis showing more than half its value can be lost within a three-year window under certain conditions. One major study cited by Recharged pegs three-year Kona Electric depreciation at just over half of its original value. CarEdge places five-year depreciation at approximately 60 percent, while Recharged’s analysis using independent data sources shows the Kona Electric depreciating roughly 58 to 60 percent over five years. The 2020 model, which originally stickered at around $38,000, now carries a dealer retail value in the mid-$15,000 range and a trade-in value closer to $11,000 to $13,000 according to KBB and Edmunds data reviewed by Recharged. The rapid pace of EV technology advancement has played a central role: market-wide EV price drops in 2024 and 2025 pushed used prices down broadly, pulling the Kona Electric’s resale values lower alongside its competitors. The updated 2024 and 2025 Kona Electric models fared better, reflecting their fresher design and improved range. However, for earlier model years, the data consistently shows value loss well in excess of 50 percent within a short ownership window, particularly when compared to the Kona’s gas-powered sibling, which CarEdge shows depreciating just 42 percent over five years.
Key Takeaways: What the Data Reveals
Luxury EVs Depreciate Fastest
Models like the Audi Q8 e-tron and Tesla Model X (older years) top the three-year depreciation charts, sitting in the 75th–100th percentile for value loss among all SUVs in their class.
Sedan Demand Has Shifted
In 2025, BMW sold nearly twice as many X7 SUVs as 7 Series sedans, reflecting an industry-wide trend that accelerates depreciation for full-size luxury sedans.
Italian Brands Lead Value Loss
Maserati and Alfa Romeo rank as the two worst brands for value retention among major manufacturers according to CarEdge, driven by ownership costs and reliability perceptions.
Used Buyers Can Benefit
For shoppers willing to buy used after the steepest depreciation curve has passed, these same vehicles can represent significant value, with much of their useful life still ahead.
Final Perspective
Before You Drive One of These Off the Lot
Vehicle depreciation is not a minor footnote in the cost of ownership — according to iSeeCars, it is the single largest financial factor in owning a vehicle, and the models featured in this article illustrate just how significant that cost can be. Whether it is the rapid technology churn affecting luxury electric SUVs, the structural market shift away from full-size sedans, or the persistent reliability concerns surrounding European niche brands, each of the seven vehicles above experiences value loss at a pace that outpaces the broader market by a meaningful margin. For buyers committed to one of these models, understanding those curves before signing is not just advisable — it is essential to making a financially informed decision; and for those willing to shop the secondhand market, the same depreciation that penalizes first owners can open the door to an otherwise unaffordable vehicle at a price that finally makes sense.
