Which electric SUVs have the best residual value at the end of a lease?

The big question that lease salespeople never raise spontaneously: what will my electric SUV be worth in 3 or 4 years? Because it is this residual value that determines whether you pay €420 or €570 per month — for the same SUV at the same list price.

I ran the exercise on five electric SUVs available in Belgium. Here is what the figures show.

Why is the residual value of electric SUVs different from that of saloons?

Electric SUVs structurally benefit from better residual values than electric saloons or city cars, for three reasons.

1. The SUV segment is the most in-demand in the Belgian used-car market. A 3-year-old electric SUV attracts both private buyers who cannot afford new and professionals at the end of their lease. Demand supports prices.

2. Family electric SUVs serve a real and stable need. A parent of two children looking for a used electric SUV is not in the market for a saloon or estate. This segment is less substitutable, which protects prices.

3. Large batteries reassure buyers. An electric SUV with a 77 kWh battery loses proportionally less range after 3 years of normal degradation (3 to 5%) than a city car with 40 kWh. A used buyer who finds an SUV at 230 km real range (vs 250 km new) is reassured. With a city car at 140 km real range (vs 170 km new), they hesitate.

Comparison of residual values for the 5 best electric SUVs on lease

Tesla Model Y — undisputed leader

It is the best-selling electric SUV in Europe and Belgium (11,500 units in 2025 — Statbel). Used-car demand is structurally strong, and the Supercharger network remains a competitive advantage that used-car buyers value.

Estimated RV: 52 to 55% at 36 months/30,000 km. Monthly payment impact: on a Model Y Standard Range at around €48,000, the high RV can reduce the monthly payment by €80 to €120 compared to a similarly priced competitor with a lower RV.

Volvo EX30 — the compact surprise

Less visible on the Mons motorway, the EX30 has won over company fleets at record speed. Its RV of 51 to 53% at 36 months is explained by the Volvo badge (perceived as durable) and a lower list price, which makes the used-car market accessible to a larger number of buyers.

Its one blind spot: it is a compact SUV (4.23 m). For families with children, this is sometimes insufficient.

Škoda Enyaq iV 80 — the best ratio in the category

At 49 to 51% RV on a list of €43,990, the Enyaq iV 80 offers the most competitive monthly payment among family electric SUVs in Belgium. The VW Group MEB platform, robust and proven since 2020, reassures used-car buyers. Its 585 L boot naturally positions it for the family with children market — a stable segment.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 — reassuring technology

The IONIQ 5/Kia EV6 pair shares a similar RV, around 47 to 49%. The 800V architecture (fast charging at 220–350 kW) is a real resale argument: a used buyer knows they are acquiring durable fast charging capability. Hyundai's 8-year battery warranty reinforces confidence.

Kia EV6 — range as the argument

The EV6 shows 420 km real range and an RV around 46 to 48%. Its polarising design (some love it, others remain indifferent) partly explains why its RV is slightly behind the IONIQ 5, with a similar network.

What you lose if your electric SUV has a low residual value

An electric SUV at €42,000 with 38% RV costs you more per month than an Enyaq at €44,000 with 50% RV. The list price tells you nothing about what you will actually pay each month.

Here is the concrete impact over 48 months / 40,000 km, on two SUVs at the same list price (€43,000):

*Financial charges at 4.5%, excluding insurance and maintenance.

€4,320 in extra costs for the same electric SUV, simply because the Belgian used-car market values it less.

LLD or LOA: which lease format makes best use of a good RV?

In an LLD (long-term lease), a good RV only benefits the lessor if the market is above the estimate. It only benefits you if it has been well integrated into the starting monthly payment.

In a LOA (lease with purchase option), a high RV is doubly interesting: your monthly payments are low and you can buy the vehicle at the fixed RV, then resell it at market value if it is higher. On a Model Y or Enyaq with current demand, this scenario is realistic.

For Belgian companies, LOA is generally less used than LLD (for accounting reasons), but it deserves study if you want to keep the vehicle after the contract.