Future classics: nine used SUVs set to rise in value

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Tom Morgan - Autocar deputy digital editor

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5 mins read

1 February 2019

It wasn't all that long ago that SUVs were exclusively built as heavy-duty off-road machines, but the recent boom in popularity catapulted them into the mainstream.

With the nation's love for a high driving position and rugged looks unlikely to change any time soon, anyone looking to invest in a future classic has plenty of choice. But which are the models that will rise in value? We asked the experts at automotive data company Cap HPI to pick nine cars that have the potential to become collectors' items.

“There is an SUV for everyone,” Senior valuations editor Mark Bulmer told us. “Some of these SUVs are already highly sought after, and in several cases, customisation options plus performance and reliability is affirming their future classic status.”

The SUVs most likely to rise in value

Land Rover Defender

The iconic off-roader is already considered a classic, but with Land Rover preparing to launch an all-new model at the end of the year, interest is spiking in the original.

Defenders that have been personalised to a high standard can command even more money, while models that have been kept as they left the factory are ripe for customisation. It also continues to prove popular in other countries, with exports sapping the number of cars left here in the UK.

Heavily used cars start from £5,000, with better-cared for examples in the region of £10,000 to £15,000. The most pristine models can demand as much as £75,000.

Jeep Wrangler

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Another capable off-roader that’s rapidly pricing itself out of the kinds of driving it was built for. The latest generation ‘JL’ Wrangler hasn’t deviated from its rugged roots, either.

Newer models are easier to come by, but there are several generations to choose from, with prices starting from £5000. Slightly older examples are typically around £12,000-£14,000, but prices can go as high as £75,000 for the very best of the bunch.

Porsche Macan

One of the newer entries on our list, the smallest Porsche SUV handles better than almost any of its direct rivals, save for the sublime Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio - but it’s the Macau’s more desirable badge that is firming up prices.

It’s both a sports car and an SUV, so appeals to multiple markets - and that appeal is shoring up prices. Diesel models are slightly less in demand than the petrol alternatives, but still command prices from £30,000. The most potent Macan Turbos will set you back more than £75,000.

Range Rover Sport SVR

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With a supercharged 5.8-litre V8 engine putting out 542bhp and one of the angriest exhaust notes you’ll find in an SUV, the Range Rover Sport SVR is unmatched in its class for visceral speed, off-road talent and luxury interior.

The most powerful Land Rover to date commands high prices already, with £50,000 a typical starting point and £150,000 not unheard of for highly customised versions, but the exclusivity of the SVR badge could make them a wise investment.

Toyota Land Cruiser

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Famous for their ability to just keep on going, generations of Land Cruiser have continued to survive on-road and off-road abuse for decades, with high mileages not dramatically affecting prices.

Toyota has gradually transformed the car into more of a family-friendly SUV than utilitarian 4x4, but all versions use the same respected badge so values have stayed firm. The oldest, highest-mile models start from £3000, but the Land Cruiser has been built to last, so don’t let that put you off. Top-end money for one is typically north of £50,000.

Volvo XC70

Not quite an SUV, but not quite an estate car either, the XC70 is the best of both body styles from a brand renowned for its safety record, build quality and off-road capabilities. The Volvo hasn’t suffered greatly from depreciation, either.

Prices start from as little as £2000 and go as high as £20,000 across almost two decades of being on sale. It is a practical and reliable car that you can drive without worrying about ruining your investment. Increasing love for the brand could make it an appreciating asset in time.

Read more: Volvo XC70 (2007-2016) review

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Suzuki Jimny

The tiny Japanese 4x4 has progressed through four generations, but it’s the 1998 third-generation car that we’re looking at here. As production ended before the all-new model arrived last year, Suzuki had upped the spec to a high degree.

There are models out there with leather trim, satnav and a sunroof, while automatic gearboxes aren’t uncommon. Values tend to rise in the winter months, where its capable off-road abilities come to the fore. Prices usually start at around £1000 for the most basic cars, rising up to £14,000 and beyond for the best.

Toyota RAV4

Another reliable Toyota, and one that has seen multiple generations come and go. We’re now on version five, but all generations have their fans. 4x4 models have held their values the best, but none appear to be a bad investment.

Entry-level mk1 models can be had for as little as £1000, with the five-door version commanding slightly more, while newer versions can ask as much as £35,000.

Read more: Toyota Rav4 (2012-2018) review

Dacia Duster

It was affordable when new, and now the Dacia Duster has proven resilient to depreciation in the used market. The 4x4 models are the most sought-after, in both petrol and diesel forms. The engines have proved themselves in other cars, so reliability is high.

While a more modern choice than some of the cars on this list, prices start from a reasonable £5000 and can go beyond £14000 for the very best examples.

Read more: Dacia Duster (2009-2018) review