Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi EcoDynamics 1 2WD manual

At launch in 2010, the Kia Sportage set new standards for style, and it backed this up with efficient diesel engines, a four-wheel-drive option and decent kit across the board.

Even today, three years later, no model retains less than 50 per cent of its new price. The best of all is the entry-level 2WD diesel, at 55.2 per cent. Its 114bhp 1.7-litre CRDi engine is a little underpowered, but it makes up for this with low 135g/km CO2 emissions and 54.3mpg economy.

It’s not the most exciting driver’s car around, but the Sportage is pretty comfortable, as the soft suspension, small 16-inch alloys and high-profile tyres soak up bumps in the road. Like Hyundai, Kia’s prices have risen from their bargain basement roots to match European rivals, but there’s lots of kit. Even the base 1 features heated electric mirrors, auto wipers, a trip computer and air-con.

Price now: £18,895

Value after three years: £10,430