Your National Day road trip SUV — the short answer
The 2 December long weekend is made for road trips. And right now, SUVs are one of the smartest buys among used cars in UAE. There are far more SUVs listed than buyers searching for them, which means you have room to negotiate. A three-year-old Patrol or Fortuner will handle any route from Dubai to Fujairah or the Liwa loop — and cost you a fraction of a new one.
The short version
- SUVs make up about 63% of listings but draw fewer searches — buyers have the upper hand right now.
- A 2023 Nissan Patrol lists for around AED 186,000 — roughly 42% less than a new one.
- The Toyota Fortuner barely loses value: a three-year-old one still holds about 96% of what a one-year-old costs.
- We've seen SUV buyers negotiate around 8% off asking, with some getting closer to 13% off on specific models.
- Pick your SUV now — inspection-verified cars on CarSwitch come with transparent history, so you're road-trip-ready from day one.
Why SUVs are a buyer's market right now
According to CarSwitch listings data (July 2026), SUVs account for about 63% of all cars listed on the platform. That's a lot of supply chasing a smaller pool of active buyers — roughly 14 percentage points more supply than search demand. When supply outweighs demand like this, sellers are more willing to come down on price.
We've generally seen SUV buyers negotiate around 8% off asking. On certain listings, that figure climbs closer to 13%. That's real money — on a car listed at AED 180,000, 13% off is more than AED 23,000 back in your pocket.
Two SUVs built for UAE road trips — used cars in UAE that hold their value
Nissan Patrol — the desert standard
The Patrol is the default long-distance car in the UAE for a reason. V8 power, a ride that soaks up highway kilometres, and enough cabin space for the whole family plus luggage. A 2023 model lists for around AED 186,000 — about 42% less than the new sticker price of AED 322,900. That's roughly AED 137,000 saved.
If budget matters more than low mileage, a 2021 Patrol sits around AED 180,000 with about 74,000 km on the clock. Still holds close to 78% of a one-year-old Patrol's value. Go back to 2019, and you're looking at around AED 111,000 — a genuine long-distance workhorse for about a third of new.
Toyota Fortuner — the value champion
The Fortuner is one of the slowest-depreciating SUVs we track. A three-year-old one still holds about 96% of what a one-year-old example costs. That's remarkable. It means you can drive it for the long weekend — and the next three years — and barely lose money when you sell.
A 2022 Fortuner lists for around AED 115,000, about 26% less than a new one. The 2021 model drops to around AED 108,000. Both come in with reasonable mileage (roughly 59,000–70,000 km) and plenty of life left. For a family that wants a step up from a sedan car without the Patrol's fuel bill, the Fortuner is hard to beat.
Running costs: Patrol vs Fortuner
The Patrol's V8 drinks more fuel — expect to fill up more often on a Liwa run. The Fortuner's four-cylinder is noticeably lighter on petrol. V8-equipped SUVs carry about a 7% price premium over four-cylinder models on CarSwitch, so you're paying more upfront and more at the pump.
On the flip side, the Patrol holds its value in absolute terms over long ownership. And if you're buying a fully loaded model, know that base-spec versions list for about 7% less than fully loaded ones. Semi-loaded splits the difference at about 4% less. Pick the spec that matches what you actually need — you don't need cooled seats to enjoy Hatta.
What to look for before you buy
Accident history matters. Cars with a minor accident on record list for about 9% less than clean-history cars. That's a meaningful gap. On a Patrol at AED 186,000, that's roughly AED 16,000. If you're planning to resell later, a clean record protects what you'll get back.
Cars still under manufacturer warranty carry about a 5% premium — worth it for peace of mind on a long-distance car. Every SUV on CarSwitch is inspection-verified with a detailed report, so you'll know exactly what you're getting before you commit. No hidden surprises on the E11 to Abu Dhabi.
| Model | Year | Listed Price (AED) | Saving vs New | Typical KM | Value Retained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Patrol | 2024 | 229,990 | 29% | 16,000 | — |
| Nissan Patrol | 2023 | 186,000 | 42% | 39,700 | 81% |
| Nissan Patrol | 2021 | 179,990 | 44% | 74,376 | 78% |
| Nissan Patrol | 2019 | 110,995 | 66% | 76,703 | 48% |
| Toyota Fortuner | 2022 | 115,448 | 26% | 58,634 | — |
| Toyota Fortuner | 2021 | 107,900 | 30% | 70,278 | 96% |
SUVs: 63% of all listings — oversupplied by about 14 points vs buyer searches.
2023 Nissan Patrol: AED 186,000 — AED 136,900 less than new.
Toyota Fortuner (3 years old): holds 96% of a one-year-old example's value.
Plan your route, then find your next car
The 2 December weekend opens up some of the UAE's finest drives. Dubai to Hatta through the mountains. The coastal road from Abu Dhabi to Liwa. The east-coast run to Fujairah. Any of these routes reward a comfortable SUV with good ground clearance.
With SUV supply running well ahead of demand, this is a strong window to find your next car. Browse Nissan Patrol listings on CarSwitch or explore more affordable used cars in UAE — every one is inspection-verified, with transparent pricing and real people ready to help. Your National Day road trip starts with a car you can trust.
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