The winners of the 2025 Residual Value Awards
15 October 2025
This year’s Residual Value Awards honour eight value retention champions measured across 17 European countries. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus celebrates the winners and considers what they reveal about regional used-car markets.
Powered by data, analysis and insights from Autovista Group, the results of the 2025 Residual Value Awards have been confirmed. This year’s winners reveal a premium trend across the award categories divided by segment, body and powertrain.
Categories of the Residual Value Awards
- Small Car
- Small BEV
- Compact Car
- Compact SUV
- Compact and Large BEV
- Compact and Large BEV SUV
- Large SUV
- Large Car
The results were determined using forecast trade RVs of cars at 36 months and 60,000km. Data from July to September 2025 was analysed across 17 different European used-car markets. Get an in-depth insight into the methodology behind the awards on Autovista24.
‘Strong residual values (RVs) form when a strong vehicle concept, strategic commitment and brand equity engage in a virtuous circle,’ explained Dr Christof Engelskirchen, chief economist and director of valuations and forecasting. ‘All three are needed to win Autovista Group’s European Residual Value Award, and this year’s winners are a testament to that.’
‘Being positioned as a premium brand helps if you are looking for a top spot in the ranking. Premium German brands are a safe bet for premium RVs. Conversely, Dacia has proved year after year that a refined, high-value-for-money positioning strikes a chord with consumers,’ he added.
‘But do look beyond the winners, it is worth spending time with the runners-up as well. The race is usually tight, and there are some gems in the line-up that will draw used-car buyers to them,’ Engelskirchen concluded.
Small Car category
In the fiercely competitive Small Car category, the Mini Cooper reclaimed victory as the value retention champion. The model has long been a strong contender for the award, winning in 2023 and taking second in 2024.
This year, it enjoyed particularly positive results in Germany, Hungary, Italy, and the UK. The Mini Cooper defeated its rivals in the A and B-segments across all body types and powertrains.
The car went up against its sibling, the Mini Countryman. It moved up to second from third in 2024 and fifth in 2023, highlighting the trend towards premium positioning. Then came last year’s winner, the Dacia Sandero in third, the same position it took in 2023.
‘The Mini’s enduring success in the used-car market is driven by its iconic, retro-modern design and the premium brand image cultivated by BMW,’ said Christian Schneider, director of valuations at Autovista Group.
‘Its reputation for being fun to drive, combined with a high-quality interior and extensive customisation options, makes it a highly desirable vehicle,’ he highlighted.
‘This strong brand loyalty and aspirational status ensure that demand consistently outstrips supply on the used market. This cements its position as an RV champion,’ Schneider commented.
Small BEV category
Focusing on battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) from the A and B-segments, Mini claimed another victory in the 2025 Residual Value Awards. The Mini Aceman took the title in the growing Small BEV category, successfully defending its crown from last year.
The all-electric car saw leading results in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Slovakia. It went up against other BEVs in the A and B-segment, with all body types allowed.
In another premium victory, Mini also took second place with the all-electric Mini Cooper close behind its sibling. Then the retro-styled Renault 5 E-Tech came in third place this year.
‘The Aceman translates the core appeal of the Mini brand, namely its distinctive style and fun-to-drive character, into an all-electric crossover package,’ said Schneider.
‘It is a fresh and fashionable entry in the premium small BEV market. This allows the Aceman to attract buyers looking for a zero-emission vehicle without compromising on design or brand prestige,’ he added.
‘This powerful combination of brand equity and forward-looking technology secures its excellent RV forecast,’ Schneider commented.
Compact Car category
In the highly competitive Compact Car category, the BMW 1 Series emerged as the winner. Of the 17 countries analysed, the car enjoyed its greatest weighted index results in Italy and the Netherlands.
This year’s transformation of the Compact Car category exemplifies the positive trend for premium German models. The award was open to all powertrains in the C-segment, excluding SUVs.
The BMW 1 Series ascended from third place in 2024 to take the crown. Meanwhile, its stablemate, the BMW 2 Series, took third. It last appeared in third in the 2023 awards. The Audi A3 held on to second place, which it last took in 2024.
‘As the entry point to the prestigious BMW brand, the 1 Series attracts buyers with its promise of premium quality, sporty driving dynamics, and advanced technology,’ Schneider said.
‘The model’s strong brand equity and reputation for German engineering create demand among used-car buyers looking for a premium hatchback. This desirability translates into robust RVs, allowing it to outperform rivals like the Audi A3 and the BMW 2 Series,’ he added.
Compact SUV category
Defending its title from last year, the Dacia Duster once again topped the bustling Compact SUV category. The model enjoyed a leading performance in Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
While entrants were limited to C-segment SUVs, the award was open to all powertrains. Dacia dominated the category, also securing second with the Dacia Bigster. This demonstrates the staying power of value for money across Europe. The Mercedes-Benz GLA defended its third-place position from 2024.
‘The Duster’s RV strength comes from its unparalleled value-for-money proposition. It offers the practicality and rugged styling of an SUV at an extremely accessible price point. Because its initial purchase price is low, the absolute depreciation is minimal,’ Schneider said.
‘High demand from budget-conscious used-car buyers who value its simplicity, reliability, and low running costs keeps its percentage-based RVs exceptionally high,’ he noted.
‘The Dacia Duster being recognised with the 2025 Autovista Group Residual Value Award is a testament to the fantastic car that it is. Basket-leading residual values and a retail-sales first approach has always been at the heart of Dacia’s philosophy,’ commented Luke Broad, Dacia brand director for the UK.
‘This award strongly endorses the Duster’s ability to offer not just an unbeatable level of equipment for our customers’ hard-earned money, but also lasting ownership and resale benefits,’ he added.
Compact and Large BEV category
The growing Compact and Large BEV category covered all-electric models in the C, D and E-segments, excluding SUVs. The Audi A6 Avant e-tron was able to claim this highly sought-after award, celebrating distinct victories in Germany and Italy.
It defeated the Tesla Model 3, which came close in second after finishing third last year and fourth in 2023. Not that far behind was the Mercedes-Benz CLA, which finished third in the 2025 awards.
‘Built on the advanced Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the A6 Avant e-tron represents the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs) from Audi,’ Schneider said.
‘Its 800-volt architecture allows for exceptionally rapid charging speeds. Meanwhile, the platform is engineered to deliver a very long range, addressing key concerns for EV buyers,’ he added.
‘This combination of sleek design and advanced electric technology makes it a highly anticipated and desirable premium BEV, helping it secure the top spot against formidable competitors like the Tesla Model 3,’ Schneider commented.
‘The Audi A6 e-tron family carries forward the brand’s familiar product strengths of performance, efficiency, and charging. An all-electric range of over 450 miles (724km) sets a new standard in the segment and strengthens consumer confidence in the technology and the brand,’ commented Audi UK.
Compact and Large BEV SUV category
Securing a back-to-back victory after its 2024 triumph, the Porsche Macan once again led the all-electric SUV segment in 2025. Its results were particularly positive in France, Italy, and the UK.
It was the RV champion among many high-profile BEV SUVs in the C, D and E-segments. Not far behind in second was the Mini Countryman, which improved on its fifth-place finish in 2024. The Skoda Elroq then came in third, highlighting the rapidly changing nature of the award category.
‘The immense power of the Porsche brand is a key driver of its exceptional value retention. The new all-electric Macan combines this coveted badge with the popular SUV body style and state-of-the-art EV performance,’ Schneider said.
‘The promise of Porsche’s signature driving dynamics in a practical, zero-emission package creates huge desirability. This fusion of brand prestige, performance, and practicality ensures it commands top-tier RVs in the premium BEV SUV market,’ he outlined.
Large Car category
The Large Car category was dominated by German brands. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class took the win, enjoying leading results in France and Portugal. It achieved this after taking third in 2024 and fifth in 2023.
In 2025, the E-Class was able to overcome some fierce competition against other D and E-segment models, excluding SUVs. It narrowly beat out the BMW 4 Series, which came second this year and fourth in 2023. The Mercedes-Benz CLE was close behind in third, moving up after finishing fourth in 2024.
‘The E-Class is a benchmark for executive luxury, comfort, and technological innovation,’ Schnieder highlighted. Its long-standing reputation as a durable, safe, and prestigious vehicle makes it a sought-after model for used-car buyers,’ Schneider said.
‘This timeless appeal, combined with the power of the Mercedes-Benz brand, ensures that the E-Class holds its value exceptionally well,’ he added.
Awards and accolades for the E-Class
‘For decades, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been regarded as the heart of the brand, synonymous with comfort, innovation, and lasting value,’ a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson outlined.
Currently, the market environment is influenced by electromobility and digitalisation. Amid this, the E-Class stands out thanks to its safety system development, advanced infotainment technology and efficiency. The spokesperson highlighted how performance remains a key selling point for its internal-combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid variants.
‘In the future, Mercedes will focus clearly on electrification and software integration. The E-Class will become even more connected, semi-autonomous and efficient, and therefore a key component in the transformation to a fully-electric model range.’
‘In this way, it combines tradition with the future and consolidates its position as a core model in the global premium market,’ they added.
Large SUV category
Continuing its reign from 2024, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class was the undisputed RV champion in the Large SUV category. Its weighted index result shone across Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, and Switzerland.
The brand also took second with the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé, stepping up from third place in 2024. After taking the category win in 2023, then second in 2024, the Land Rover Defender took third in 2025.
‘The G-Class has transcended its utilitarian roots to become a cultural icon and a symbol of ultimate luxury and off-road capability. Its unique, timeless design has created a cult following, and demand consistently exceeds the limited production supply,’ Schneider said.
‘This scarcity, combined with its iconic status, results in extraordinary RVs that are unmatched in the market,’ Schneider commented. ‘This puts it ahead of other strong performers like the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé and Land Rover Defender,’
G-Class gathers awards
‘Since its introduction in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has undergone a remarkable evolution, never losing its characteristic robust charm. From the outset, the goal was to optimise off-road capability while continuously modernising comfort and features,’ a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said.
‘Today, the G-Class is one of the most sought-after vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz portfolio. Its blend of robustness, off-road capability, and luxurious interior makes it the ideal choice for customers looking for a vehicle that excels both in everyday life and off-road,’ they added.
Over the years, Mercedes-Benz has expanded the G-Class range to meet the varying needs of its customers. Alongside the off-road classic, there are high-performance AMG variants, limited special models, and since 2024, a BEV version.
