The SUV market is growing larger in Malaysia and it is not hard to see why since they provide more room and a taller height than traditional hatchbacks and sedans. Just like every car, however, prices of SUVs will depreciate the moment they are driven off the showroom floor.

Just like our previous articles comparing the resale values of B-segment sedans and C-segment sedans, we’ll be taking a look at the resale value of C-segment SUVs.

Though this market is becoming more popular with different choices for buyers, five years ago, buyers weren’t quite as spoilt for choice.

So, without further ado, we’ll take a look at the resale value of three popular SUV models – Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, and Volkswagen Tiguan, to see how well they fare after 5 years.

Round One: CR-V retains better value, only just

We start with a Malaysian favourite. Prior to the launch of the Proton X70, the Honda CR-V was the best-selling C-segment SUV in Malaysia and the fourth-gen CR-V was launched in Malaysia in 2013. A facelift was introduced a couple of years later in 2015.

In 2016, a brand-new Honda CR-V 2.4 starts from RM 167,620. Based on our research, a five-year-old CR-V of the same variant sells for an average of RM 81,256. This meant that the SUV retains about 48.5% of its value after five years, a little under 50%.

Could the Nissan X-Trail fare any better? Well, the T32 generation X-Trail was launched in 2015 which compared to the fourth-gen CR-V at the time seemed newer.

Prices for a brand-new X-Trail 2.5 start from RM 159,164 in 2016. Our own research yielded that the same variant of the X-Trail of the same year sells at an average of RM 74,110, holding on around 46.7% of its original value.

In the end, a 5-year-old CR-V holds slightly better value than an X-Trail of similar age but we’re not quite done yet. After all, we did mention the Volkswagen Tiguan in our title but we hit a bit of a snag as there wasn’t enough data for the 2016 Tiguan.

On the other hand, we do have enough data for the 2017 Tiguan, so let’s switch things up again. This time, we’ll pit it against the CR-V and X-Trail of similar age.

Round Two: The German performs better than the Japanese?

2017 saw major changes for two of our trio of SUVs. First, the fifth- and current-gen of the Honda CR-V was launched and the 2.4-litre engine was dropped in favour of a turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC.

The naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre variant remained and when it was launched, prices start from RM 142,400. In the used car market, a four-year-old CR-V of the same variant costs an average of RM 110,392. This meant that it retains around 77.5% of its value after four years.

The second change was the arrival of the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan in Malaysia in 2017. The locally-assembled (CKD) Tiguan was available with a turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI engine.

There were two variants with prices starting from RM 149,578 when it was new four years ago. Our findings show that on average, a four-year-old Tiguan sells for RM 99,917, retaining 66.8% of its original value.

Unlike the other two, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) kept the X-Trail largely unchanged in 2017. To keep the X-Trail fresh, ETCM introduced the Aero Edition which gave the SUV some bodykits.

Prices for a brand-new X-Trail starts from RM 136,976 for the 2.0-litre variant in 2017. A quick search in the used car market shows that a four-year-old model costs an average of RM 71,503 which is equivalent to a value retention of 52.2%.

It is actually a lot worse for the 2.5-litre variant with 4-year-old models going for an average of RM 76,048 based on our research, retaining only 47.8% of value!

Conclusion: Honda wins this round again

The power of Lambang H is no dream at all. Based on our research, the CR-V holds its value very well just like its sedan brethren, the City and Civic in their respective segments.

What’s even more shocking is how poor the resale value of the X-Trail is, especially in comparison with the Tiguan. Both variants of the X-Trail have the worst resale value among the three after four years.

Once again, it appears that the perception of Japanese brands always having better resale value is completely untrue.

We have a few other tips on selling your car including the paperwork required as well as the factors that can harm your car's resale value.

Also read: What paperwork do you need before selling your car?