COVER STORY

The second you drive your new car away from the dealership, it begins to shed pounds and pence in value. And with every mile you drive and hour you keep it, the amount lost in depreciation increases.However, the gap between the cars that hold their value well and the models that haemorrhage it is wide indeed. Here, Darren Moss reveals the safest bets if depreciation is your top concern – as well as the models that will cost you the most. We’ve set a price cap of £50,000 for buying new, and our depreciation data is based on three years and 36,000 miles of ownership.

10 TOYOTA BZ4X

Model AWD Motion List price £47,810 36k/3yr resale value £26,575 Price drop £21,235

THE BZ4X IS one of only two fully electric models to make this list – and in mid-range AWD Motion form, it holds on to its value better than electric SUV rivals such as the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y.

Most drivers will find that the front-wheel-drive (FWD) bZ4X is quick enough for their needs, but the AWD version (with two motors and fourwheel drive) has a bit more oomph and stronger resale values.

We like the bZ4X’s smooth power delivery, which encourages you to drive in a relaxed manner. That, coupled with supple suspension, makes the bZ4X a comfortable car in which to while away the miles. And although it won’t take you as far between charges as some rivals – up to 317 miles (officially) in FWD form, or up to 286 miles in AWD form – that should still be plenty for most buyers.

The bZ4X’s high-set driving position makes you feel like you’re driving a proper SUV, with good visibility to the front and sides, but the quality of the materials used inside is a mixed bag.

9 HYUNDAI KONA

Model 1.6 Hybrid N Line DCT List price £31,825 36k/3yr resale value £17,700 Price drop £14,125

SOME VERSIONS OF the Kona depreciate faster than small SUV rivals such as the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc. However, in this hybrid form, it knocks those rivals into a cocked hat in terms of value retention.

It also just so happens that the hybrid version is our favourite. It should be cheap to run; officially, it’ll return 61mpg, because it can run for short distances on electric power alone, such as when in slow-moving traffic, with its 1.6-litre petrol engine coming to life only when needed.

The Kona is also a comfy choice for your commute, taking the sting out of potholes and other road imperfections even better than the Puma and T-Roc. Just bear in mind that it’s not especially dynamic to drive, due to a fair amount of body lean and vague steering.

The Kona gives you the kind of elevated driving position that most SUV buyers crave, so you get a good view ahead. As is the case with most rivals, seeing out of the rear is trickier, but this N Line version helps you out, displaying a 360-degree overhead view of the car when manoeuvring.

8 KIA SPORTAGE

Model 1.6T GDi HEV GT-Line List price £35,475 36k/3yr resale value £20,525 Price drop £14,950

IN THE CUT-throat world of family SUVs, the Kia Sportage has an edge: it’ll keep its value better than any rival. But that’s only part of the story; in fact, it’s so good we named it our Family SUV of the Year.

Let’s start with the engine options. You can have the Sportage in pure petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid or plug-in hybrid forms, and it’s the regular hybrid that holds on to its value the best. It’s agreeably nippy, with the 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor working together to produce 226bhp, yet it’s also economical; we clocked up an average of 43.8mpg in our real-world fuel tests.