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5 Small SUVs That Barely Depreciate
Small SUVs have quietly become the default family car in America. They’ve replaced midsize sedans in countless driveways, killed wagon sales years ago, and now occupy a sweet spot for many, between practicality, fuel economy, and affordability.
But not all of them hold value equally once the new-car smell disappears.
According to a recent iSeeCars study, a handful of compact crossovers are unusually resistant to depreciating, with some losing easily coming in under the segment average after five years. Buyers know what these vehicles are, what they cost to own, and what they’ll probably still be doing at 180,000 miles.
Here are the five small SUVs with the lowest five-year depreciation rates.
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According to iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer, small SUVs now dominate the American market because they satisfy such a broad range of needs without becoming overly expensive. Models like the RAV4, CR-V, and Forester aren’t particularly flashy, but they consistently deliver the kind of ownership experience buyers trust. And in the resale market, trust tends to hold value better than almost anything else.
5. Subaru Forester
Average 5-Year Depreciation: 32.6% Average Loss in Value: $9,766 The Forester continues doing what it has always done. Subaru hasn’t radically changed the formula over the years, and that stability has worked in its favor. Standard all-wheel drive, good outward visibility, straightforward controls, and a reputation for durability keep used Foresters in steady demand. It’s also one of the few compact SUVs that still prioritizes practicality.
4. Subaru Crosstrek
Average 5-Year Depreciation: 29.1% Average Loss in Value: $7,867 The Crosstrek is basically proof that Americans will buy almost anything if you add a little ground clearance and black plastic cladding. Positioned somewhere between hatchback and SUV, the Crosstrek has become one of Subaru’s biggest hits thanks to reasonable pricing, standard AWD, and fuel economy that doesn’t punish owners for wanting a little extra ride height. Used buyers know exactly what they’re getting here, and they keep lining up for them.
3. Honda CR-V
Average 5-Year Depreciation: 28.9% Average Loss in Value: $8,946 The CR-V has spent decades quietly mastering the art of being competent at basically everything. It’s roomy, comfortable, efficient, easy to drive, and generally free from unnecessary drama. Honda’s hybrid models have only strengthened the CR-V’s position recently, especially as fuel prices continue bouncing around unpredictably. Buyers who missed out on a new CR-V often turn directly toward the used market, which keeps values unusually strong compared to most competitors. There’s a reason you see these absolutely everywhere.
2. Honda HR-V
Average 5-Year Depreciation: 28.8% Average Loss in Value: $7,645 The HR-V doesn’t dominate headlines or horsepower charts, but it lands squarely in that sweet spot many buyers actually care about: affordable, efficient, easy to park, and unlikely to become financially catastrophic five years later. The newer generation also looks considerably more mature than the original HR-V, which probably helps broaden its appeal beyond first-time buyers. And unlike some entry-level crossovers, the HR-V doesn’t feel especially cheap inside.
1. Toyota RAV4 / RAV4 Hybrid
Average 5-Year Depreciation: 25.2% Average Loss in Value: $7,731 Toyota sells an enormous number of them every year, yet demand somehow remains just as strong on the used side. Normally, high production volume eventually weakens resale value. The RAV4 largely ignores that rule. Buyers continue chasing both the standard and hybrid models because they’ve built a reputation for reliability, low operating costs, and long-term durability. The hybrid version, especially, has become one of the most sought-after vehicles in the used market as buyers try to offset rising fuel costs without committing fully to an EV.
