Do Infinitis Hold Their Value? What You Need to Know

Do Infinitis hold their value? It's a common concern for luxury car buyers. Learn how Infiniti's resale potential stacks up and what factors can help your car keep its worth.

Key Factors Impacting Infiniti Resale Value

When you buy a luxury car like an Infiniti, it's natural to think about its "resale value." This is how much your car will be worth when you sell it later. Like all cars, Infinitis lose some of their original value over time. This process is called "depreciation." Several things affect how well an Infiniti keeps its value. Let's look at them.

Brand Reputation & Tier Positioning

Infiniti is known for offering luxury features at a slightly more affordable price than some top-tier brands. However, compared to luxury leaders like LexusBahrain LexusEgypt LexusKSA LexusKuwait LexusOman LexusQatar LexusUAE Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, or BMWUAE BMWBahrain BMWKSA BMWOman BMWQatar BMWEgypt BMWKuwait BMW, Infinitis sometimes face challenges in keeping their value as strongly. Many buyers choose a luxury car for its prestige and how it makes them feel. Brands with a longer history of high-end luxury or a very consistent image often hold their value better. Infiniti is seen by some as a "near-luxury" brand. This means it offers many luxury features but might not have the same level of prestige or brand identity as some competitors. This can affect how much buyers are willing to pay for a used Infiniti.

Model-Specific Performance

Not all Infiniti models depreciate at the same rate. Just like with any car brand, some models are more popular than others, and demand plays a big role in resale value.

For example:

• SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) like the Infiniti QX80Bahrain Infiniti QX80KSA Infiniti QX80Oman Infiniti QX80Qatar Infiniti QX80Kuwait Infiniti QX80 often hold their value better than sedans. The QX80 is a large, family-friendly SUV, and there's high demand for vehicles of this type. It can retail for around AED 300,000 / SAR 300,000 when new, and on average, it retains about 50% to 53% of its original value after three years.

• Sedans such as the Infiniti Q50Bahrain Infiniti Q50KSA Infiniti Q50Kuwait Infiniti Q50Oman Infiniti Q50Qatar Infiniti Q50, while popular, tend to see higher depreciation. A new Q50 might start around AED 160,000 / SAR 160,000. Its value retention often falls in the range of 40% to 42% after three years.

• Hybrid models are also starting to show promise. The QX60 Hybrid, for instance, might hold its value better than its gas-only counterpart due to growing interest in fuel efficiency. It could see 47% to 49% retention.

Here's a quick look at typical value retention rates for some Infiniti models after three years:

Maintenance & Ownership Costs

The cost of keeping a car running also plays a part in its "resale value." Buyers think about how much they might have to spend on repairs and upkeep after they buy a used car.

• Infiniti cars generally have lower repair costs compared to some German luxury rivals like BMW or Mercedes-Benz. For example, Infiniti's average repair costs might be around 15% lower.

• However, they are still usually more expensive to maintain than popular, non-luxury brands. Their costs can be about 22% higher than a mainstream car brand.

• High maintenance costs can make potential buyers hesitate.

• Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs offered by Infiniti dealerships can help. When an Infiniti is sold through an official CPO program, it undergoes a thorough inspection and often comes with an extended warranty. This extra peace of mind can boost its resale value by 8% to 12%, as buyers feel more confident about the car's condition and future reliability. Keeping detailed service records also proves that the car has been properly cared for, which can increase buyer interest.

How Infinitis Compare to Other Luxury Brands

Understanding how Infiniti's resale value stacks up against its competitors is important. While all luxury cars tend to lose value faster than some economy cars, there are big differences within the luxury segment itself.

Retention Rate Rankings (3-Year Average)

Here's how Infiniti generally compares to other luxury brands in terms of how much value their cars keep after three years of ownership:

1. Lexus:Often leads the pack, holding onto about 58% to 62% of its original value. Lexus isBahrain Lexus ISEgypt Lexus ISKSA Lexus ISKuwait Lexus ISOman Lexus ISQatar Lexus ISUAE Lexus IS known for its reliability and strong reputation.

2. PorscheUAE PorscheBahrain PorscheEgypt PorscheKSA PorscheOman PorscheQatar PorscheKuwait Porsche:Also very strong, typically retaining 55% to 58% of its value. Its exclusive nature and performance appeal contribute to this.

3. Infiniti:Generally falls in the middle of the luxury group, with a 3-year value retention rate of about 45% to 48%. This is respectable but not top-tier.

4. BMW:Often sees retention rates between 43% to 46%. German luxury cars can sometimes depreciate more due to higher maintenance costs and frequent model updates.

5. Mercedes-Benz:Similar to BMW, typically retaining 41% to 44% of its value.

These numbers give you a good idea of where Infinitis stand. They are not the best, but they are also not the worst when it comes to holding their value among luxury brands.

Technology Obsolescence Risk

In today's fast-moving car market, technology plays a huge role. Cars are now full of advanced screens, navigation systems, and driver-assist features.

• One challenge for Infiniti's resale value is how quickly its in-car technology can seem to become outdated. While Infiniti offers good features, their infotainment systems (like the touch screens and controls) have sometimes been slower to update compared to rivals.

• For example, systems like BMW's iDrive or Mercedes-Benz's MB UX are often seen as more intuitive, modern, or frequently updated.

• When a buyer looks at a used Infiniti with an older infotainment system, it might feel less appealing than a car with more current tech. This can impact buyer interest and, as a result, the resale price over time. Features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have become standard expectations for many buyers, and cars without well-integrated versions can suffer in value.

5 Tips to Maximize Your Infiniti’s Value

Even if some factors are out of your control, there are many things you can do to help your Infiniti hold its value better when it's time to sell. These tips can make your car more attractive to future buyers.

1. Choose Popular Configurations:When you first buy your Infiniti, think about popular choices.

• Exterior Colors:Colors like white, black, gray, and silver are timeless and appeal to the widest range of buyers. Bright or unusual colors might limit your pool of potential buyers.

• Interior Features:Adding popular options like a premium sound system, a sunroof, or advanced safety features can make your car more desirable. These features are often expected in luxury cars. Picking widely desired features means your car will likely sell faster and for a better price.

2. Maintain Full Service Records:Keep every single receipt and document related to your car's maintenance.

• This includes oil changes, tire rotations, brake work, and any repairs.

• Ideally, have your car serviced at authorized Infiniti dealerships. This shows that the car has received expert care and genuine parts.

• A complete service history proves to future buyers that you have taken excellent care of the vehicle. This builds trust and can significantly increase your car's perceived value.

3. Upgrade Technology (Where Possible):While you can't change the core system, look into official, factory-approved retrofits.

• Some older Infiniti models might not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto originally. Dealerships sometimes offer official kits to add these features.

• Having these modern smartphone integration systems can make your Infiniti much more appealing to tech-savvy buyers and bridge the gap with newer models.

• Even small tech upgrades, like a good quality dashcam installation, can add value.

4. Time Your Sale:The timing of your sale can impact how much value your Infiniti holds.

• Try to sell your car before a major model refresh or redesign of that specific Infiniti model. When a brand-new version of your car hits the market, the older generation's value can drop quickly. Major refreshes usually happen every four to five years.

• Selling in seasons with higher demand (often spring or early summer) can also help.

• Avoid selling right after a new, highly anticipated competitor model is released, as this can draw buyers away.

5. Use Certified Programs:Selling through Infiniti's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program can be a smart move, even if it means a slightly lower direct payout than a private sale.

• A CPO vehicle comes with a factory-backed warranty and a multi-point inspection, giving buyers much greater peace of mind.

• This can add 10% to 15% more value compared to selling the car privately, which means you might get more money overall. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for the assurance and benefits of a certified vehicle.

FAQ

Here are some common questions people ask about Infiniti car values.

Q:Are newer Infiniti models better at holding value?

A: Yes, there's a trend showing that newer Infiniti models, especially those from 2023 onwards, are doing better at retaining their value. A big reason for this is the increasing popularity of hybrid engines and more fuel-efficient powertrains. These newer models with hybrid options can show 5% to 7% better value retention than older, gas-only versions. This is because more buyers are looking for cars that are cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly. Also, Infiniti has been updating their designs and technology, which helps newer models stay competitive.

Q:Which costs less long-term:Infiniti or Acura?

A: This is a good question for luxury car buyers. Generally, Acuras tend to retain a bit more of their value than Infinitis, usually around 3% to 5% better. This means you might get more money back when you sell an Acura. However, it's not just about resale value. When you look at long-term ownership costs, Acuras sometimes have higher routine maintenance costs. You might find yourself paying an extra AED 700 to AED 1,500 / SAR 700 to SAR 1,500 per year for regular maintenance on an Acura compared to an Infiniti. So, while an Acura might sell for more, the total cost of owning it could be similar or even higher over many years due to maintenance. It's important to look at both the depreciation and the running costs.

Q:Should I lease or buy an Infiniti for better value?

A: The choice between leasing and buying depends on your personal financial goals and how often you want a new car.

• Leasing an Infiniti makes a lot of sense if you like to drive a new car every few years (typically every 2 to 4 years) and want to avoid the hassle of selling a used car. When you lease, you're essentially paying for the car's depreciation during the lease term. The "residual value" (what the car is estimated to be worth at the end of the lease) averages around 48% to 51% for a 36-month term with Infinitis. This means you don't worry about actual resale value.

• Buying an Infiniti is better if you plan to keep the car for a long time (five years or more) and want to build equity. While you take on the full depreciation, you eventually own the car outright. If you maintain it well, you can still get a good return when you sell it after many years.

• For "better value," leasing often gives you a lower monthly payment for a newer car and lets you avoid the biggest depreciation hit and the selling process. Buying gives you ownership and potentially more long-term financial gain if you keep the car well beyond its steepest depreciation period.

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