The Future of Value: Trends in 2026

Luxury auto sales always come with the unavoidable topic of depreciation, a concern that affects brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. According to iSeeCars’ 2026 resale-value data, all three brands have vehicles that retain nearly two-thirds of their original value after five years. However, some models are projected to lose around 70% or more of their value over the same period.

Enthusiast cars tend to perform the best in terms of resale value, but not everyone shops in that segment. Therefore, it is essential to look at each brand across a variety of models to understand the diverse results.

Among the three brands, Audi emerges as the winner with the strongest top five models. The Audi TT RS leads the pack with a 67.8% retention rate, followed closely by other performance coupes like the TT coupe, RS 5 coupe, TTS, and S5 coupe. The average retention rate for Audi’s top five models is approximately 67.5%, demonstrating the brand’s strength in the resale value department, especially in the coupe segment.

In comparison, Mercedes-Benz takes the second spot with models like the AMG GT coupe, G-Class, and CLE coupe leading the way. The brand’s top five models average around 64.7% retention rate, with the G-Class standing out for its impressive 65.3% retention rate, showcasing the resilience of specialized SUVs in retaining value.

BMW falls behind Audi and Mercedes with an average retention rate of approximately 62.4% for its top five models. The BMW M2 leads the pack with a 67.8% retention rate, followed by models like the M4 coupe, 2 Series coupe, 4 Series coupe, and Z4 convertible. The spread between BMW’s top-performing models is wider than Audi and Mercedes, but the brand still offers several safe choices for buyers concerned about long-term value.

On the flip side, luxury EVs face the steepest depreciation, with models like the BMW i7 retaining just 26.4% of their original value after five years. BMW’s bottom five performers are all electrified vehicles, with the i7 being the worst performer in the comparison. Mercedes-Benz and Audi also have electrified models at the bottom of their rankings, showing that high-priced electric luxury vehicles face significant resale pressure.

In the middle ground, the BMW 3 Series emerges as the top performer among compact luxury sedans, retaining 53.2% of its original value after five years. In the SUV segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLC leads with a 52.5% retention rate, outperforming the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. These results highlight the importance of considering the resale value when shopping for luxury vehicles.

In conclusion, while Audi excels in the performance coupe segment, Mercedes-Benz leads in the compact models, and BMW offers a mix of safe choices for buyers. Traditional enthusiast cars remain a safe investment, while expensive electric luxury vehicles face the highest depreciation risk over five years.

Source: iSeeCars