By now, we should all know that cars aren’t assets. For most drivers, anyway, a vehicle is a rapidly depreciating expense. Unfortunately, certain buyers get the shock of their lives when they realize just how much they’ve lost after a new car purchase. In fact, one used luxury car dealer based in the Atlanta area has a list of 2025 cars that you’re just better off leasing due to their insane depreciation.

4 new cars that suffer crazy depreciation

Maserati Levante

According to Yusuf Benallal, a used luxury car dealer in Atlanta, Georgia, Maserati Levantes are always at the top of the list when it comes to depreciation. After just one year of ownership, buyers can expect to lose $30,000 to $40,000. What’s more, they have relatively low expert ratings. “It’s a great SUV to lease if you’re into luxury SUVs,” the dealer says. “But to buy, you’re going to shoot yourself in the foot.”

The Jeep Wagoneers are “diabolical” cars when it comes to depreciation

Benallal explains that these SUVs were only just recently going for more than $100K. The car dealer says that buyers were also rolling over negative equity from previous car loans into the Wagoneer. This left them with $120,000 in debt for their flashy new Jeep. Unfortunately, these SUVs lose an average of 50% of their original MSRP over the first three years of ownership. As such, buyers often find themselves deeply underwater.

“Never buy a Range Rover. Always lease these.”

The car dealer says that clients often come across his desk looking to offload their Range Rovers. However, they still owe $70,000 to $80,000 of their $ 120K purchase. In just one year, he says they depreciate $30K-$40K. “So if you want a Range Rover, lease. Do not buy.” Benallal recommends that if you’re stuck on buying cars, purchase Range Rovers that are a few years old to avoid that initial steep decline in market value.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

“These depreciate so much,” the car dealer asserts. Actually, he says that depreciation plagues more than the GLS. Any Mercedes SUV and even some of the sports models suffer steep drops in market value right off the bat. “We’re talking 30 to 50 percent in just a couple years.”

Buy smart

“If you want to avoid depreciation, buy a luxury vehicle that is a couple years old,” Benallal explains. “Or, if you wanna buy new, lease it new. That way you can avoid being in a situation where you’re trading in, you have 30, 40, 50 thousand dollars in negative equity.”

Benallal often preaches to his 163,000 followers to avoid champagne taste on a beer budget. He basically begs buyers not to overextend themselves when it comes to cars. “There’s nothing wrong with having a nice car. Just make sure you can afford it.”