10 SUVs That Hold Their Value

It seems like there are some SUVs that hold their value much better than others, managing to avoid the depreciation that plagues almost every new vehicle in the first few years after it rolls off the lot. It's not an easy trick to pull off, and it typically indicates that the vehicle in question has a strong, dedicated audience of buyers that pick one up and hold on to it as long as they can before trading it in for the same model. This keeps second-hand models scarce. Other key factors in keeping resale value high include a good reputation for reliability, and SUV models that have only recently hit the scene and are in high demand (again, making used options hard to find).

Let's take a quick look at 10 SUVs that hold their value.

Acura buyers are a loyal lot, and the Acura MDX is one of the most popular vehicles in the Japanese brand's showroom. It's also known for staying well clear of dealer repair bays, giving it strong cachet amongst luxury-seeking shoppers who don’t want to worry with frequent warranty claims. For 2016 the Acura MDX has seen a nine-speed automatic transmission grafted on as standard equipment alongside its 290 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and it also enjoys an improved all-wheel drive system as an option. Fuel mileage for the five-passenger SUV is listed at 19-mpg city and 27-mpg highway.

The Lexus NX, like the MDX, is another reliable premium SUV, albeit a much smaller entry-level compact model. Helping to keep resale value high is that fact that the NX is a relatively recent introduction from the brand, giving it its first compact sport-utility vehicle ever and opening up a new market for Lexus. The NX is available in both turbocharged (200t) and hybrid (200h) editions, but it's the turbo model with its 235 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and lower price point that leads the way in keeping its value on the secondhand market.

For many families, the compact SUV conversation begins and ends with the Honda CR-V. This compact people mover has enjoyed decades of dominance thanks to its affordable window sticker, its large and useful interior, and its ability to stay out of the repair shop. So strong is Honda's reputation for reliability that the CR-V has become sought after as a used car, driving its resale value up past most of its competitors. In addition to offering seating for five, the 2016 Honda CR-V provides 185 horsepower from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, optional all-wheel drive, and 29-mpg in combined driving.

The Toyota Highlander is a full-size family SUV that offers seating for up to eight passengers across three rows. It's also reliable and available in a hybrid edition, which increases its appeal as a used vehicle and pushes up pricing. The Toyota Highlander's entry-level 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine is good for 185 horsepower, but given that its fuel mileage is almost a match for the more powerful 270 horse 3.5-liter V-6 that's also available with the vehicle, we recommend skipping it. You'll get 21-mpg combined with the six-cylinder Highlander, which is just one mile per gallon less than with the four-cylinder model.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class appears to defy the standard criteria that apply to SUVs that hold their value. Here is an ultra-expensive luxury vehicle that guzzles gas and relies on an architecture that's decades old—yet still commands strong attention as both a used and new model. The key is the rarity of the G-Class, as production remains low enough to stoke the fires of those attracted by its exclusivity. It also helps that unlike other Mercedes-Benz products, its relatively simple design keeps repair costs low. For 2016 the G-Class gains a new 416 horsepower twin-turbo V-8 engine, and of course low-range four-wheel drive remains standard across the board.

Speaking of older designs, the Jeep Wrangler continues to command a premium amongst secondhand buyers. In the case of the Wrangler, there's a unique factor at play: a built-in market of off-road adventurers who wouldn't dream of leaving the beaten path unless they were behind the wheel of a Jeep. The club of like-minded Wrangler fans keeps the SUV's value high years after the new sheen has worn off. A 3.6-liter, 285 horsepower V-6 is standard with the Wrangler, and a four-door Unlimited model adds practicality to the rugged package.

The Toyota 4Runner can be summarized as the more civilized alternative to the Wrangler—a more comfortable and modern mid-size SUV, that still offers respectable off-road chops should the going get rough. That Toyota reliability also holds sway over the minds of buyers on the secondary market, pushing values up for the five-passenger 4Runner. The 2016 version of the sport-utility vehicle is motivated by a 270 horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 engine, is shifted through a five-speed automatic transmission, and can be had in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive editions, with Trail and TRD Pro models offering additional all-terrain gear.

There really aren't many traditional full-size SUVs left on the market, which helps to explain why the Chevrolet Tahoe and its GMC Yukon sibling hold their value so well. With the ability to seat nine passengers (across three rows), towing capacity that flirts with the 9,000 pound mark, and a pair of hefty V-8 engines available between them (plus an optional magnetically-adaptive suspension system), the Tahoe and the Yukon have cultivated more than their fair share of fans. Expect to pay more for the luxury-oriented Denali version of the Yukon when shopping second-hand.

The Porsche Macan is the new hotness for a company better known for its sports cars than its SUVs. Tapping into pent-up demand for an entry-level, fun-to-drive luxury utility model, the Porsche Macan is selling at a rapid pace when new, and spends an equally short amount of time on the lot as a used model. This drives up the resale value of the vehicle—if you can find one, since it's such a recent offshoot of the Porsche vine. There are a pair of twin-turbo V-6 options available under its hood—rated at 340 and 400 horsepower, respectively—and all-wheel drive is standard with the Porsche Macan.

The Lexus LX is another unusual entry on our list of SUVs that hold their value. Like the G-Class, the LX is a full-size luxury model that commands a pretty penny when new, and it also offers more than respectable off-road capability. Most buyers, however, snag the Lexus for its comfy interior and stunning reliability (it does share its platform with the Toyota Land Cruiser, after all). Very few LX models are sold each year, so the lack of availability conspires to keep second-hand prices high. A 5.7-liter V-8 engine good for 383 horsepower is standard with the Lexus, as is full-time four-wheel drive.