The 10 fastest-depreciating SUVs

Model Pallas | List price £38,950 | 36k/3yr resale value £9950 | Price drop £29,000 | Retained value 25.5%

DS is positioned as a premium brand, which means you'll pay more for the DS 3 E-Tense than you would for some rival electric SUVs, including the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV. That's the case whether you buy on cash or on a PCP finance deal, where the DS 3's poor resale values mean that finance packages aren't very competitive.

Despite that, there are some redeeming features to consider, such as a relatively comfortable ride which does a good job of taking the sting out of battered British B-roads and town centre potholes alike. The steering isn't as sharp as the Kia Niro EV's, though, and the DS leans heavily through corners. In short, driving the DS 3 E-Tense quickly isn't a rewarding experience.

There's a decent amount of space in the front of the DS, but the Niro EV again trumps it for rear space – plus, you can get more into the boot of the Kia than you can into the DS. Compounding the usability issue is the 3's relatively poor range, which, at 250 miles, isn't up there with the best in this class. 

Read our full DS 3 E-Tense review

Model Makoto | List price £32,945 | 36k/3yr resale value £9650 | Price drop £23,295 | Retained value 29.3%

Mazda's electric SUV falls well behind the rest of its rivals even before you consider the collossal rate at which it sheds pounds and pence. Let's start with the range, because it's just 124 miles. And while that might be enough for commuting around town for some, the chances are that you could see much less than that in real-world use. Certainly, most electric SUV rivals, including the Peugeot e-2008 and Smart #1, offer substantially more.

The range is a shame, because the MX-30 actually drives well, with brakes which are better to regulate than those in the e-2008, and a ride which, while firmer than that of the Volkswagen ID 3, manages to soak up bumps well. 

Inside, the MX-30 knocks the ID 3 for six when it comes to material quality, and Mazda's infotainment system is easy to get along with – not least because it includes a rotary controller, which makes it easier to use on the move than the touchscreen-only setups of some rivals. Sadly, the Mazda's odd rear-hinged doors severely limit its practicality, because they make clambering into the car difficult, and can only be opened after the fronts have been opened too.

Read our full Mazda MX-30 review

Model Takumi | List price £50,995 | 36k/3yr resale value £16,150 | Price drop £34,845 | Retained value 31.7%

Losing more than £34,000 of value is going to sting, and unfortunately, the Lexus UX300e does little in the way of recompense for that hurt. It can't take you very far on a full battery charge – managing just 170 miles in our real-world tests – and while performance off the line is impressive, it quickly tails off a higher speeds.

The 300e isn't especially inspiring to drive through corners, either, with plenty of body lean and light steering which gives you little sense of connection to the front wheels. Then there's the space on offer, which is tight. A couple of tall adults will feel pretty hemmed into the rear seats, while seating three back there will be a real struggle. And while you'll get a couple of holiday suitcases into the UX300e's boot, most electric SUV rivals can carry more.

There are some positives, such as the Lexus' decent driving position, and the fact that its infotainment system comes loaded with features, but the UX300e is simply behind the curve in so many other areas that it's difficult to recommend – even before you factor in depreciation.

Read our full Lexus UX300e review

Model 250+ AMG Line Premium Plus | List price £57,810 | 36k/3yr resale value £18,575 | Price drop £39,235 | Retained value 32.1%

The EQA has the dubious honour of being the car which loses the most value of anything on this list – and that's partly because you'll pay so much for it in the first place. Indeed, you'll pay more to put one on your driveway than you would for a Kia EV6, Smart #1 and Tesla Model Y – at least you get lots of kit for your money, though.

Some buyers will happily pay more for the EQA's range, because even the 250+ model can officially take you 345 miles between charges, which is more than the Genesis GV60, EV6 and Volvo EX40 can manage. And even though you're unlikely to match that figure in real-world conditions, it should still be more than enough for the needs of most families.

Speaking of families, we were impressed with the amount of oddment storage inside the EQA, and with the space available to rear-seat passengers, which is on par with that of the EX40. And while rivals have larger boots, the EQA can still hold a couple of holiday suitcases without any trouble, and getting them in and out should be easy since the boot has no loading lip at its entrance.

Read our full Mercedes EQA review

Model Allure 54kWh | List price £34,400 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,400 | Price drop £23,000 | Retained value 33.1%

Used car buyers might rejoice that the Peugeot e-2008 loses so much value over three years of ownership, but it's not good news if you're the first owner. Fortunately, depreciation aside, there's lots to like about Peugeot's smallest electric SUV. Every version gets a 154bhp electric motor which offers peppy performance with instant acceleration, meaning you can beat most traffic away from junctions or make the most of gaps for overtaking.

The rival Smart #1 offers a more composed ride on the motorway, but around town the e-2008 has the edge thansk to its comfier low-speed ride. The Peugeot keeps its body in check while cornering, too, although its lightning-fast steering response can take some getting used to – as can Peugeot's i-Cockpit interior design, which has you loking over a small steering wheel at the controls rather than through it.

In terms of practicality, the Peugeot e-2008 misses out on the front boot, or 'frunk', of some electric SUVs, but the one in the back is just as big as in the regular 2008 – we managed to fit five carry-on suitcases below its parcel shelf.

Read our full Peugeot e-2008 review

Model Trophy 51kWh | List price £32,995 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,325 | Price drop £21,670 | Retained value 34.3%

Depreciation aside, we wouldn't shy you away from considering the MG ZS EV, because it's a small electric SUV with a lot of potential and, in most areas, it ticks the right boxes for buyers in this market. This version has the smaller of two battery choices fitted, but this can officially take you up to 279 miles between charges – that's should be comfortably enough to meet the needs of most drivers. The zip from the MG's electric motor is good, too, meaning you'll never wish that you had a bit more pep on faster roads.

Given the extra weight of its battery compared with the standard, petrol-powered MG ZS, you won't be surprised to lean that the ZS EV doesn't feel as engaging as its sibling to drive, and both the Kia Niro EV and Peugeot e-2008 feel more agile. Ride comfort is a mixed bag, too, with the car's relatively soft suspension dealing well enough with low-speed bumps, but you'll be jostled around on faster roads more than you would be in rivals.

Still, at least you can get more into the boot of the MG than you can into the Kia or Peugeot. Plus, even if you opt for the panoramic roof, a couple of six-footers will find they have plenty of head room on the rear bench.

Read our full MG ZS EV review

Model GS 54kWh | List price £33,470 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,500 | Price drop £21,970 | Retained value 34.36%

While neither the petrol nor the electric versions of the Vauxhall Mokka perform well in terms of depreciation, it's by far the Mokka Electric which does the worst, being worth less than 35% of its original purchase price once you've covered 36,000 miles over three years. The Mokka Electric is an expensive choice among electric SUVs, but at least this GS model is the entry-level version, and at least it comes with most of the kit you're likely to want, including adaptive cruise control, keyless start and heated front seats.

Elsewhere, the Mokka Electric has an official range of up to 209 miles between charges, which is respectable, but we managed just 151 miles on a warm day in real-world conditions. Plus, the Mokka Electric's 134bhp electric motor doesn't deliver the sort of instant shove we've become used to in some rivals – the Kia Niro EV makes overtaking easier, for example.

Read our full Vauxhall Mokka Electric review

Model 1.5 T4 e-Torque Hybrid Summit | List price £38,805 | 36k/3yr resale value £13,350| Price drop £25,455 | Retained value 34.40%

If we're being honest, calling this Jeep Compass a hybrid is a bit grand –  its mild hybrid system gives the engine small amounts of electrical assistance, and official figures suggest that should up your fuel economy to around 50mpg, but it's not a regular hybrid system like you'll find in the Toyota Yaris Cross, for example.

Elsewhere, the Compass is very good at venturing off road, and it has a reasonably spacious interior that's good for your family and their luggage, but in most other situations it's soundly beaten by other family SUVs. Its steering, for example, is especially poor, being too light and very vague. Similarly, when the Compass' petrol engine does fire up, it sounds pretty coarse in comparison with other SUVs.

Fortunately, an all-new Jeep Compass is due to arrive later this year, offering both petrol and electric power options.

Read our full Jeep Compass review

Model Max 50kWh | List price £30,150 | 36k/3yr resale value £10,900 | Price drop £19,250 | Retained value 36.2%

This version of the Citroën ë-C4 comes with the larger of two battery options, giving you an official range of up to 260 miles between charges. That's likely enough for most drivers, but it's worth noting that the rival MG4 EV Extended Range can go further still. It's a shame that the e-C4 doesn't feel faster, either – indeed, its official 0-62mph sprint time of 9.2 seconds is slower than that of most rivals, despite this version receiving a more powerful 154bhp electric motor.

If comfort is your top priority, though, then the e-C4 is well worth looking at, because it does a good job of soaking up lumps and bumps. Indeed, it's better at cushioning you than rivals including the Smart #1 and Volkswagen ID 3. Those cars match the e-C4 for boot space, with each being able to carry five suitcases – even if the Kia Niro EV can up that figure to seven.

Elsewhere, we like the e-C4's interior, which is one of Citroën's best efforts yet in terms of quality, but it's worth noting that You trim does without the built-in sat-nav that most other versions of the e-C4 get.

Read our full Citroën ë-C4 review

Model 1.5 e-Hybrid Summit 4x4 360 Opera EAT8 | List price £33,909 | 36k/3yr resale value £12,350 | Price drop £21,559 | Retained value 36.4%

Like the Jeep Compass we saw earlier on this list, calling this version of the Renegade a hybrid is a bit grand – the 1.5-litre petrol engine only receives the smallest amounts of electrical assistance. And yet, with decent performance and running costs, it is our pick of the range, not least because going for the plug-in hybrid model jacks up the price considerably.

Although the controls inside the Renegade are easy to get to grips with, material quality throughout is several rungs below what you'd find in rivals such as the Mini Countryman or Skoda Kamiq, with large swathes of scratchy plastic used in the places you touch regularly.

Elsewhere, a narrow bench means the rear of the Renegade is best suited to carrying two passengers rather than three, and you won't get as much into the boot as you could into the rival Ford Puma or Seat Arona. Even without the hefty hit of depreciation factored in, then, there are much better small SUVs to consider.

Read our full Jeep Renegade review

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