Electric vehicles promise lower running costs, yet many lose value faster than gasoline rivals once the new-car glow fades. Studies from iSeeCars, CarEdge and Jalopnik show steep drops over five years and even within the first twelve months. Here are twelve EVs where the depreciation figures stand out most.
1. Audi e-tron GT: Steepest Slide Of The Group
Topping the list, the Audi sedan is an iSeeCars five-year estimate at 72.3% depreciation over five years, a figure iSeeCars produced and SlashGear reported. That is the heaviest loss among the models covered here, which makes the Audi a costly proposition for anyone who buys new and sells within a few years.
A five-year drop of 72.3% means a buyer keeps less than 28 cents of every dollar spent. Anyone considering one is better off weighing a used example or a lease, where the previous owner has already absorbed most of the loss.
2. Jaguar I-Pace: Luxury Badge, Heavy Discount
For the British crossover, CarEdge’s five-year estimate that it loses 70.7% of its value across five years, a steep slide for a premium electric SUV. The estimate comes from CarEdge, a separate source from the iSeeCars study behind several other entries in this gallery.
A figure that high suggests resale value is a weak point for the nameplate. Owners planning to sell early should expect a large gap between the purchase price and what a dealer or private buyer will pay, so budgeting for that gap matters.
3. Tesla Model X: Big SUV, Bigger Drop
The Tesla SUV is a SlashGear depreciation roundup: iSeeCars says it loses 61.1% of its value after five years. That puts the Model X above the 60% mark that defines the SlashGear roundup, even for a model with a premium price and a distinctive design.
Shoppers should treat that percentage as the cost of ownership hiding behind the sticker. A buyer who sells at year five recovers well under half of the original price, so a certified used example may offer the smarter value.
4. Porsche Taycan: Performance Price Gets Trimmed
Porsche’s electric sedan is iSeeCars’ estimate of 59.2%, with iSeeCars estimating five-year depreciation at 59.2%. Even a brand known for strong resale values on its gasoline cars sees well over half of the Taycan’s price disappear in that window.
The takeaway for buyers is that the badge does not protect an electric model from steep losses. Anyone eyeing a new one should plan for the value gap, or consider a lightly used car after the early drop has already happened.
5. Tesla Model S: Flagship Sedan, Big Loss
According to the iSeeCars hold-value study, the Model S loses 65.2% of its value over five years, an average $52,165 loss based on sales from March 2024 to February 2025. The dollar figure shows how a high starting price magnifies each percentage point of decline.
For owners, that average means five years of driving can cost more than many new cars sell for outright. Buyers should compare the expected loss against rivals and weigh whether a used Model S delivers the same car for far less.
6. Tesla Model Y: Best Seller With A Big Haircut
Tesla’s compact crossover shows iSeeCars’ five-year findings: 60.4% five-year depreciation, an average $36,225 loss. The study draws on sales from March 2024 through February 2025, so the number reflects recent market conditions rather than older history.
Brand recognition does not guarantee strong resale, and the percentage is close to that of several pricier models. A buyer who plans to keep the Model Y for five years should still factor in a loss exceeding $36,000, which can outweigh savings on fuel and maintenance.
7. Kia Niro EV: Affordable Yet Still Dropping
The compact hatchback-crossover appears in iSeeCars’ hold-value rankings with 59.2% five-year depreciation, an average $23,439 loss. It is a less expensive vehicle than the luxury models above, yet the percentage lost is nearly the same as the Porsche’s.
Lower prices mean smaller dollar losses, but the share of value that disappears is still large. Shoppers should price in that decline and compare the Niro EV against used alternatives before committing to a new purchase.
8. Hyundai Kona Electric: Compact Crossover Fades Fast
Hyundai’s small electric crossover lands in the iSeeCars depreciation study at 58.0% five-year depreciation, an average $19,062 loss. That is the smallest dollar figure among the iSeeCars entries here, but the percentage still lands close to the others on the list.
A loss approaching $19,000 on a mainstream model is a meaningful cost for a household budget. Buyers can soften it by shopping used, negotiating the purchase price down, or taking advantage of any lease terms available.
9. Mercedes-Benz EQS: Year-One Hit On A Flagship
Mercedes-Benz’s electric flagship appears in a MoneyLion summary of the Jalopnik study after losing 47.8% of its value in the first year alone, according to a Jalopnik study. Almost half of the price vanishing within twelve months is an unusually fast drop, even for a luxury car.
The figure is a warning about buying new at the top of the market. A buyer who purchases a first-year EQS and sells promptly would give up nearly half the price, which makes a used example the more economical way in.
10. Kia EV6: Fast Charger, Fast Drop
Kia’s electric crossover shows first-year depreciation of 33.3% in MoneyLion’s first-year depreciation report, based on a Jalopnik study. A third of the value disappearing in twelve months is far less than the EQS, yet still a heavy hit for a mainstream model.
The number shows that early depreciation is not limited to luxury brands. Shoppers should expect to pay a premium for being first owner, and a one-year-old EV6 could capture most of the car at a notably lower cost.
11. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Popular Pick, Quick Slide
Hyundai’s electric crossover is covered in MoneyLion’s Jalopnik-based list, with first-year depreciation of 32.9% per a Jalopnik study. That sits just behind the Kia EV6 figure, showing a similar early drop for both Korean models.
Roughly a third of the value gone after twelve months is the price of buying brand new. Anyone who wants an Ioniq 5 can avoid much of that by waiting for a lightly used car, since the first owner takes the steepest loss.
12. Nissan Leaf: Top Offender In The Study
The Nissan hatchback is called the top offender in Ford Authority’s iSeeCars coverage: 63.1% gone in five years, or $17,743 of MSRP. The figure comes from iSeeCars’ 2026 study, as reported by Ford Authority.
That level of depreciation is steep for a car with a modest price, and it shows that a low sticker does not insulate against large percentage losses. Shoppers should treat a new Leaf as a short-term cost and consider used examples first.
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