Not so Lux Anymore
You’d think dropping big bucks on a luxury car means you’re set, right? Not exactly. Some of these high-end beauties lose value faster than your old smartphone. Between flashy features and crazy upkeep costs, some luxury models become money pits the moment you drive off the lot. Stay with us as we look at 35 luxury cars that just don’t hold their worth.
BMW 7 Series
The 7 Series is big on tech, big on price, big on losing value. Blame high maintenance costs, complex electronics, and brutal competition. It’s a luxury ride that screams status, but the resale value whispers, “You sure about that?”
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
This is a rolling masterpiece until you try to sell it. With new tech dropping yearly, yesterday’s flagship quickly feels outdated. And those repair costs scare off secondhand buyers. So while it’s dreamy to drive, your wallet might wake up in a cold sweat at trade-in time.
Jaguar XF
The XF is sleek, stylish, and British, but resale is not its strong suit. Jaguars don’t hold their value, thanks to reliability concerns and limited brand loyalty in the U.S. The XF might purr on the road, but its resale price will leave you growling.
Audi A8
Audi’s answer to full-size luxury, the A8 is smooth and tech-packed, but used buyers just aren’t biting. Between steep depreciation and repair costs, the A8 ends up on the discount rack faster than you’d expect.
Maserati Ghibli
This looks like a Ferrari’s cousin but depreciates like it’s allergic to value. The badge might impress your neighbors, but under the hood, it’s a mix of underwhelming performance and reliability red flags. Most owners regret the resale math before year three.
Lexus LS
The LS is proof that even Lexus isn’t immune to depreciation when it comes to flagship sedans. This model loses value quickly, especially as buyers shift to SUVs. It’s a great car, just not great for your long-term investment strategy.
Genesis G90
Genesis offers big luxury for less, on paper. But resale is where this luxury underdog struggles. Since the brand’s still building its rep, used buyers hesitate. Although the G90 might rival Mercedes in comfort, it’ll be hard convincing your wallet it’s worth the hit later.
Volvo S90
The S90 is a gorgeous, safe, and comfortable ride, but resale value tanks hard. Volvo’s low brand prestige in the luxury game and the sedan slump don’t help. You’ll love owning it, but selling it? Not so much.
Infiniti Q70
Infiniti’s aging luxury sedan gets left behind in more ways than one. With outdated tech and a brand identity crisis, resale is a rough road. The Q70 is roomy and powerful, but its value curve dives faster than your morning coffee cools off.
Cadillac CT6
Cadillac’s flagship sedan has bold looks and a smooth ride, but it took a depreciation hit. It never really caught on with luxury buyers, and the resale numbers show it. Even a used CT6 feels like a steal because the first owner already paid the price. Literally.
BMW 5 Series
It’s the business-class badge everyone knows, but depreciation doesn’t care. The 5 Series depreciates fast due to high supply, expensive repairs, and short attention span for older tech. It’s still a great car, but if you plan to resell, don’t expect that “Ultimate Driving Machine” to be an ultimate investment.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
This is a luxury workhorse with timeless appeal until you check the resale prices. The E-Class is saturated; there are just too many used ones out there. Add in expensive parts and buyers moving to SUVs, and you’ve got a car that says “elegant” but has low resale value.
Tesla Model S
Surprised? While it once held strong, the Model S now depreciates as fast as Tesla updates its software and rolls out new models. It’s a cool car with a futuristic feel, but many buyers fear older tech, fading batteries, and warranty gaps.
Acura RLX
It’s reliable and loaded with features, but resale? Yikes! The RLX never really caught on in the luxury space, and Acura discontinued it in 2020. That makes it a tough sell on the used market, even if it’s a good car.
Audi A7
The A7 is beautiful but expensive to fix, and that scares secondhand buyers. It’s the kind of car you fall in love with until it breaks your financial heart at trade-in time.
Lincoln Continental
The Continental came back with swagger but couldn’t hold its ground. Luxury buyers weren’t interested in big sedans, and now, it’s discontinued. That combo killed its resale value. You can find lightly used Continentals for a steal because the original owners took the hit for you.
Porsche Panamera
It’s a Porsche that’s also a sedan. That niche appeal tanks its resale faster than a rear-engine 911 corners. Repairs are expensive, and many buyers just don’t want a four-door “fun car.” If you buy new, be prepared to watch the value deflate faster than a birthday balloon.
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport
It’s sporty, sharp, and packs a punch, but resale isn’t its strong suit. Buyers love the power but not the long-term costs, which puts its value in the danger zone.
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe
It looks like a million bucks but sells for a lot less. The 6 Series Gran Coupe is beautiful but expensive to maintain, and that’s before something actually breaks. It may make your neighbors jealous, but it won't make your accountant smile.
Genesis G80
It’s a great value upfront, but that’s the problem. The G80 depreciates fast because it’s underpriced compared to the competition. Yes, Genesis is gaining fans, but resale hasn’t caught up.
Maserati Quattroporte
Here’s a luxury sedan with Ferrari flair and minivan-level depreciation. The Quattroporte oozes Italian drama and performance, but repair costs and reliability concerns send used values plummeting. It’s a car you buy to impress until you try to sell it and realize nobody wants your heartbreak on wheels.
Hyundai Equus
Hyundai dipped its toes into the luxury pool and got soaked by depreciation. Despite all the features and rear-seat massagers, badge bias hit hard. The car was solid, but the market wasn’t ready. Today it’s luxury on a shoestring, but only for the second owner.
Buick LaCrosse
The LaCrosse may be quiet and smooth, but does it hold its value? No, not really. It wore a luxury badge-lite and promised a comfy ride, but the LaCrosse faded fast in a world obsessed with crossovers. This is one of those cars you’ll find cheap on a dealer lot, wondering why it didn’t sell.
Lexus GS
Despite being reliable and well-built, the GS’s resale is quite disappointing. This model doesn’t have the same cult following as other Lexus models, and buyers tend to skip over it in favor of flashier alternatives. Add its recent discontinuation, and the resale value is waving a white flag.
Lincoln MKZ
It had great styling and a comfy ride, but the MKZ never had a chance against its German rivals. Lacking the prestige or performance of its competitors, it quickly became a rental lot regular. You’ll find it for cheap on the used market. Real cheap.
Infiniti QX80
The QX80 screams luxury SUV, but its design hasn’t aged well, and fuel economy is brutal. Depreciation hits hard, especially when buyers start comparing it to newer full-size rivals with newer tech and better MPG.
Infiniti M56
The M56 has a big engine and a luxurious interior, but its long-term value is pretty low. This car flew under the radar in its prime, and that’s exactly where it stayed on the used market. Expensive to maintain and invisible to status seekers, it depreciates quietly but quickly.
Jaguar XJ
The XJ had style and performance, but Jaguar’s reliability reputation kept resale values low. Buyers chose BMW or Mercedes instead, which meant XJ owners watched their investment disappear. Great to lease, but painful if you bought it new.
Volkswagen Phaeton
VW’s luxury gamble failed in the US. The Phaeton had Bentley DNA but a VW badge, which confused just about everyone. Few bought it new, and even fewer want it used. It depreciated like a stone in a pond: fast, deep, and forgotten.
Acura TL (2012–2014)
The TL’s reliable and sporty, but that beak-like front grille didn’t exactly win over luxury shoppers. It lost to the Germans and depreciated quickly. Today, you can get one cheap, just don’t expect to sell it for much.
Infiniti QX55
Stylish curves, luxe interior, coupe-like SUV body, what’s not to love? Apparently, the resale market doesn’t agree. The QX55 looks premium, but its steep depreciation shows buyers aren’t convinced it’s worth luxury prices long term. It’s flashy up front, a budget hit later.
Cadillac XTS
This luxury cruiser was aimed at traditional luxury buyers but never lit up the sales charts, and resale took a hit. Discontinued in 2019, the XTS is roomy and comfy, but can’t compete with trendier, techier rivals in the used market.
Mercedes-Benz CLS
It’s got curves and class, but the CLS has a depreciation problem. Positioned between the E and S-Class, it often gets lost in the shuffle. Its sleek design doesn’t offset the fact that buyers worry about long-term repair costs and complexity.
BMW I8
While the i8 is cool and futuristic, it isn’t exactly resale-friendly. It looks like a concept car, but limited practicality and high maintenance costs have hurt its value.
Audi A6
The A6 is a solid all-rounder that fades fast in the resale world. Maybe that’s because it’s in a tough market with newer tech and flashier rivals. Buyers often skip over it for SUVs or newer-gen sedans, and that means a quick dip in value.
