When Canadians shop for a new car, one of the least considered yet most expensive factors is depreciation. The moment you drive off the lot, your car begins to lose value, but not all vehicles drop at the same rate. Some hold their worth thanks to strong demand, excellent reliability, and brand reputation. Others, however, plummet in value so quickly that owners feel like they’re watching money vanish into thin air. High maintenance costs, weak resale demand, poor winter durability, and constant reliability concerns all accelerate depreciation. These ten cars stand out as some of the worst offenders for losing value in Canada.
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is stylish and comfortable, with a big presence on the road. Unfortunately, depreciation hits it hard in Canada. Within three years, many 300s lose around 55 percent of their original value. Buyers worry about aging technology, unimpressive fuel economy from its big engines, and the Chrysler brand’s long-term reputation for spotty reliability. On the used market, demand is weak, and dealers are quick to slash prices just to move inventory. Compared to a Toyota Avalon, which holds nearly 50 percent of its value after five years, the Chrysler 300 is a resale disaster.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima once competed strongly against the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but its CVT transmission failures ruined its reputation in Canada. Depreciation reflects this, with some Altimas losing as much as 60 percent of their value within five years. Buyers know that repairing or replacing the CVT can cost thousands, making used Altimas a tough sell. Meanwhile, a Toyota Camry of the same age often retains closer to 50 percent of its value. The difference can mean thousands of dollars lost when it comes time to sell.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger has street appeal and plenty of power, but its resale value is another story. Within five years, many Chargers lose between 55 and 65 percent of their value, depending on trim and condition. Canadian winters highlight its weaknesses—rear-wheel drive is a liability on icy roads, and high insurance premiums scare off many buyers. While enthusiasts keep some trims desirable, the average Charger depreciates quickly compared to rivals like the Honda Accord, which holds much stronger value.
Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu has long struggled to compete with Japanese midsize sedans, and its depreciation shows it. After five years, most Malibus lose about 60 percent of their original value, thanks in part to their heavy use in rental fleets. Flooding the used market with ex-rentals pushes prices down further. Reliability concerns also drag resale down, as buyers gravitate toward the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord instead. In Canada, where buyers want durability and winter-ready features, the Malibu’s appeal is weak, and values collapse accordingly.
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is quirky, stylish, and fun to drive, but Canadian buyers quickly discovered its flaws. Reliability issues, a cramped interior, and Fiat’s small dealer presence meant resale values tanked. In just three years, the Fiat 500 often loses more than 65 percent of its value, one of the steepest drops in the small car market. For comparison, a Honda Fit of the same age retains nearly double the value of a Fiat 500. Buyers avoid them in Canada because they struggle in winter, and owners pay the price when it comes time to sell.
Cadillac ATS
The Cadillac ATS was marketed as a German fighter, designed to compete with BMW’s 3 Series. But buyers never fully embraced it. Depreciation is brutal, with five-year-old ATS models losing more than 65 percent of their value. High maintenance costs, tight interiors, and Cadillac’s inconsistent reliability ratings sank its resale potential. In Canada, where luxury buyers want long-lasting vehicles that handle winter well, the ATS never developed strong demand. Used ATS sedans can now be found for shockingly low prices, a painful reality for those who bought them new.
Hyundai Sonata (Older Models)
Newer Hyundai Sonatas have improved greatly, but older models still carry a poor reputation. Engine recalls, rust issues, and inconsistent build quality from the early 2010s haunt resale values today. Five-year-old Sonatas from that era lost close to 60 percent of their value, compared to 40–45 percent for a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. In Canada, winter road salt accelerated rust problems, further dragging down used values. While modern Sonatas have improved, the stigma lingers, and depreciation remains worse than key competitors.
Nissan Rogue (Earlier Generations)
The Nissan Rogue is one of Canada’s best-selling SUVs today, but earlier generations had serious CVT problems that destroyed confidence in the nameplate. A first-generation Rogue could lose up to 65 percent of its value within five years, making it one of the worst small SUVs for resale. Canadian buyers learned to avoid them, even as newer Rogues improved. Meanwhile, a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 of the same era would often retain nearly half their value, proving just how much reputation matters in depreciation.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is infamous for being one of the fastest-depreciating vehicles in Canada. Cheap to buy new, it quickly loses value once it leaves the lot. Within three years, Journeys typically lose more than 60 percent of their value. Reliability problems, outdated safety features, and a design that barely changed for over a decade kept demand low. In the used market, Journeys are often the cheapest midsize crossovers available, and that’s bad news for owners who bought them new.
Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat never achieved the same following in Canada as rivals like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. High repair costs, complex electronics, and reliability concerns meant used buyers stayed away. As a result, depreciation is steep, with many Passats losing over 60 percent of their value in five years. Winter driving also exposes their weaknesses, as repair bills for suspension and electrical problems mount. Compared to a Camry, which has strong resale, the Passat is one of the worst value holders in its class.
The Harsh Truth About Depreciation
Depreciation is often the single largest cost of car ownership, even bigger than fuel or insurance. In Canada, where harsh winters accelerate rust, reliability issues become exaggerated, and resale demand skews toward Toyota and Honda, some cars are punished more than others. The models above lose value quickly because of poor reputations, weak reliability, or limited demand. While they may look tempting as used bargains, for new-car buyers, they are painful lessons in how quickly thousands of dollars can evaporate once the odometer starts ticking.
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