Military hostilities have radically changed the Ukrainian consumer's perception of a car. Today, it is not just a means of transportation or family transport, but also a tool for immediate evacuation in case of threat. But has the car remained a reliable way to protect savings from inflation? Let's figure out which models best retain their value today.

Why practicality is more important than status

The market price of a used car depends on many factors, and their importance varies for different models. Often, one can observe a paradoxical situation: a 5-year-old family crossover with a mileage of nearly 100,000 kilometers costs more than a 3-year-old premium sedan, brimming with high technology and status.

The secondary market evaluates not only the age of the car but also its practicality and future risks for the buyer. This logic works not only in Ukraine but throughout Europe. At the same time, it is worth noting an interesting nuance: traffic flow and parking lots in Ukrainian cities often look "richer" than in Western Europe.

Ukrainian realities versus European trends

Car enthusiasts' tastes in Ukraine and in more prosperous countries practically do not intersect. Surprisingly, we do not create the impression of being more thrifty and pragmatic. Auto expert and founder of the Autogeek project, Yevhen Mudzhiri, confirms: the classic rule "a car loses up to 20% of its value as soon as it leaves the dealership" has undergone changes in Ukrainian realities.

Today, a car on the secondary market has become a liquid asset. The liquidity index in Ukraine is based on three factors: practicality, popularity, and repairability. It is these criteria that form the "golden fund" of the used market.

Why Ukrainians do not choose small cars

Despite a lower average income level, popular B-class cars in Europe have never led in Ukraine: Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio, or Peugeot 208. What to say about the A-class. Cute "small cars" like Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, or Volkswagen up! are found in Ukraine only in the capital. The Ukrainian consumer prefers models that are several classes more solid.

We have a special attitude towards engines. Diesel engines are valued less, and Ukrainians wave off small gasoline engines of the downsizing class (reduced size). The desire to have a "normal" full-liter engine with a volume of 1.6–2.5 liters is so great that people are ready to buy wrecked cars in American trim. After all, for the overseas market, some "Europeans" are equipped with more familiar "large" units for us.

It is for this reason that the share of diesels in Ukraine at some periods reached a quarter of all sales. Against the backdrop of short-lived gasoline engines with a volume of 0.9–1.2 liters, average diesels with a volume of 1.5–2.0 liters seem more reliable.

Cost retention rating

To understand which models are most valued, an analysis of offers on platforms like auto.ria was conducted. As an example, five-year-old cars were taken, and their cost was compared with average dealer prices in 2021. The cheapest and most expensive options, as well as cars with damage from accidents or shelling, were excluded from the sample.

The results show that most Toyota RAV4s from 2021 today cost between 29 and 35 thousand dollars. Given that in 2021 they were sold for approximately 30–40 thousand dollars (medium and top trims), the actual loss of value over five years is often only 10–20%. This is an excellent indicator, explained by the traditional reliability and high demand for this model.