Cars That Hold Their Value Best

Toyota consistently leads resale value rankings. The Tacoma and 4Runner are legendary — 5-year-old models often sell for 70-80% of their original MSRP. The RAV4 Hybrid and Camry also hold value exceptionally well.

Best models: Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4 Hybrid, Camry, Corolla

Porsche is the only luxury brand that rivals Toyota in resale value. The 911 famously depreciates slowly, and even the Cayenne and Macan hold value better than German competitors. Limited supply helps maintain prices.

Best models: 911, Cayman, Macan

Honda builds cars that last, and the market rewards it. The CR-V and Civic are particularly strong — a 3-year-old Civic typically retains 75-80% of its value. The Odyssey minivan also bucks the usual minivan depreciation trend.

Best models: CR-V, Civic, Accord, Odyssey

Subaru's loyal fanbase and standard AWD create strong demand in the used market. The Outback and Forester are especially resilient, holding value better than most non-luxury competitors.

Best models: Outback, Forester, Crosstrek

Lexus combines Toyota reliability with luxury. The RX 350 is the best-selling luxury SUV and one of the best luxury vehicles for resale value. Long-term ownership costs are also below average for the segment.

Best models: RX 350, ES 350, GX 460

The Wrangler is an anomaly — it holds value better than almost any mass-market vehicle thanks to cult following and removable roof/top appeal. The Grand Cherokee is decent but doesn't match the Wrangler's extreme retention.

Best models: Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited

Tesla resale value has become more volatile. Earlier years (pre-2023) saw strong retention, but recent price cuts have hurt used values. The Model 3 and Model Y still hold up reasonably well compared to other EVs.

Best models: Model 3, Model Y

The F-150 is America's best-selling truck and holds value well, especially the higher trims (King Ranch, Platinum). The Mustang and Bronco also have strong resale. Other Ford models are average to below average.

Best models: F-150, Mustang, Bronco

Mazda has improved dramatically in recent years. The CX-5 and Mazda3 now compete well with Honda and Toyota. Resale value is good but not quite at the top-tier level — making them a smart value buy used.

Best models: CX-5, MX-5 Miata, Mazda3

BMW depreciation is steep — expect 50-55% retained value after 3 years. The X3 and 3 Series are the strongest, but high maintenance costs in later years suppress used demand. Best bought used (let the first owner take the hit).

Best models: X3, 3 Series (lease returns)

Luxury German sedans depreciate quickly. The GLC and E-Class are the strongest performers but still lose 45-50% in 3 years. If buying used, Mercedes offers excellent value — just budget for maintenance.

Best models: GLC, E-Class

Nissan resale value lags behind Toyota and Honda. High incentives on new models hurt used values. The Frontier and Rogue are the strongest, but overall depreciation is steeper than Japanese competitors.

Best models: Frontier, Rogue