Not so Luxurious
Luxury sedans are designed to impress with comfort, technology, and smooth rides. The problem comes when it is time to trade them in or sell them. Some models lose their value much faster than others, leaving owners shocked at how little they are worth. Here are 15 luxury sedans known for steep resale drops.
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series delivers comfort, technology, and presence on the road. It is everything a flagship sedan should be, except when it comes to resale value. Buyers flock to them new, but repair costs and rapid tech aging mean used versions take a nosedive on the market, frustrating sellers.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The S-Class sets the bar for luxury sedans, introducing features that trickle down into other cars years later. The problem is those innovations age quickly, and the used market moves on just as fast. Owners enjoy the prestige while new, but when selling, they are often disappointed by the numbers.
Audi A8
The Audi A8 is a sleek and polished sedan with plenty of advanced features. But high upkeep costs and a smaller used-buyer pool lead to poor resale values. Drivers love the experience behind the wheel, but potential secondhand buyers hesitate, knowing expensive repairs may soon follow, dragging down resale numbers.
Jaguar XJ
The Jaguar XJ is one of the most stylish sedans in its class, with unmistakable British flair. Sadly, it has a history of reliability concerns, and shoppers often steer clear of used ones. Depreciation hits hard, making it a thrill to own new but a headache when it is time to sell.
Maserati Quattroporte
The Quattroporte has exotic looks and Italian charm, but resale value is where it struggles. Reliability doubts and pricey maintenance scare away secondhand buyers. It feels exciting when purchased new, but once the novelty wears off, owners are faced with low offers and fast depreciation compared to German competitors.
Cadillac CT6
Cadillac tried to reassert itself with the CT6, a tech-heavy sedan meant to rival European luxury. Unfortunately, brand perception and dwindling demand for sedans worked against it. Buyers liked it new, but resale values dropped quickly, making it another reminder of how tough the large luxury sedan market has become.
Genesis G90
The Genesis G90 offers outstanding value when bought new, with plenty of features at a lower price than European rivals. But as a young brand, it lacks recognition in the luxury resale market. That means used buyers hesitate, resale prices sink, and early adopters watch their investment drop in value.
Lexus LS
Known for comfort and long-term reliability, the Lexus LS should hold value better than it does. The problem is simple: Americans want SUVs more than sedans. Even the dependable LS cannot escape that shift. While it shines as a new purchase, resale demand is soft, and values reflect it.
Volvo S90
The S90 brings understated Scandinavian design and plenty of safety features. Buyers appreciate its refinement, but when it comes to resale, sedans from Volvo struggle compared to SUVs. Used buyers lean toward XC models instead, leaving the S90 with faster depreciation and lower resale numbers than owners might expect.
Infiniti Q70
Infiniti discontinued the Q70 after years of sluggish sales, and its resale numbers explain why. While smooth and comfortable, it never stood out in its crowded segment. Lack of updates and waning brand strength left resale values weak. Today, used buyers look elsewhere, keeping Q70 prices consistently low.
Acura RLX
The Acura RLX never caught on with luxury sedan shoppers, and resale values show it. While reliable and spacious, it was often seen as bland compared to rivals. With Acura focusing more on SUVs, demand for the RLX faded quickly, and depreciation made it one of the weakest resellers in its class.
Lincoln Continental (modern Revival)
Lincoln revived the Continental with hopes of rekindling its former glory. Buyers loved the nostalgia, but resale value was another story. Limited demand for sedans and strong competition left it struggling on the used market. Despite luxury touches, depreciation kept prices surprisingly low when owners tried to trade them in.
Chrysler 300 (higher Trims)
The Chrysler 300 in higher luxury trims aimed to compete with premium sedans, but resale values tell a different story. Even well-equipped versions struggled against rivals with stronger brand recognition. Buyers often found them affordable on the used market, but original owners took a big hit when selling.
Tesla Model S (early Models)
Tesla made waves with the Model S, but early versions are showing serious resale drops. Rapid advances in battery technology and new features make older ones feel outdated quickly. Add in expensive out-of-warranty repairs, and used buyers hesitate, leaving resale values far below what original owners hoped for.
Buick LaCrosse (premium Trims)
The LaCrosse in premium trims was positioned as a near-luxury sedan, but resale numbers reveal the struggle. Buyers liked its comfort and smooth ride when new, but Buick lacked the prestige of European brands. When owners tried to sell, they were often surprised at how little the car was worth.
