The Best Cars for Resale Value, According to Auto Experts

If you’re in the market for a new car, you’re probably not thinking about the point in the future when you’re going to sell it. Choosing a vehicle with high resale value now can pay off later, though, so it’s smart to keep it in mind. But how can you know what cars will hold their value? We spoke with two experts to find out. 

It’s All About Depreciation

Before we get into specific car brands, we need to talk about the main thing you should consider when buying a car for its resale value: depreciation, or how much the car’s market value decreases over time. 

According to JustAnswer auto expert Chris Pyle — who has been helping car owners with their repair and maintenance questions for nearly two decades — vehicles that depreciate the most are the ones with extras. “For example, a sunroof may be important to you and add $1,800 to the vehicle cost when new, but when it comes to resale, having a sunroof only adds about $300,” he explains. The used cars that will be easiest to sell are “the most versatile and useful ones.”

Per an analysis from the website iSeeCars, the five-year depreciation of new cars has stabilized at 41.8% in 2026, compared to 45.6% in 2025. Cars are holding their value well, indicating strong demand for used cars in the market. And Pyle says you no longer have to worry about a car losing value if you’ve kept it for too long or driven it too many miles. “You can have a vehicle 10 years old and over 100,000 miles, and it still has some decent value.”

Now, on to the best brands for resale. 

Toyotas

Both Pyle and Victor Botnari, owner of Universal Motorcars, recommend Toyota vehicles for their resale value. Several models are at the top of Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) 2026 best resale value list and are among the top 25 cars with the least depreciation, according to iSeeCars. 

People trust Toyota, Botnar says, and for good reason. These cars, among others that he recommended, can reach high mileage, don’t break the bank when it comes to repairs, and are among “the most durable and long-lasting vehicles.”

Pyle says those two traits — longevity and dependability — help with resale value. When it comes to specific Toyota models that are best for resale, he chose the Toyota Highlander (which also made the 2026 KBB list) and the RAV4. According to iSeeCars, the former’s depreciation value is 36% — noteworthy of a midsize SUV — while the latter lost just 25% of its resale value in five years.

The Toyota Tacoma is another vehicle likely to hold on to its resale value — it has won the Kelley Blue Book best resale value award in the compact-midsize truck category every year since 2003. However, Pyle notes that consumer interest could be limited by the small cab and the fact that “its ability to tow and haul is at the low end of the spectrum.”

Toyota’s hybrid cars are also retaining a lot of their resale value. It’s no surprise, according to Botnari: “People are looking more now to vehicles that are better on fuel, like electric and hybrid vehicles, due to high gas prices.” 

Hondas

Like Toyotas, Hondas offer plenty of longevity. “They last forever, and they are cheap to own,” Pyle says. 

His pick was the Honda Civic. iSeeCars’ analysis showed that the Civic depreciated by just 22% over five years, and according to Kelley Blue Book, its “resale value is the best in its segment.” It’s known for being spacious, affordable, and versatile in style. 

Other Honda models with high resale value according to iSeeCars and Kelley Blue Book are the HR-V and the CR-V. Both depreciated in value by only about 29% over five years, and the 2026 models made Kelley Blue Book’s list in the  SUV category. Both vehicles have good fuel efficiency, and with gas prices being a major pain point for consumers, this is understandably a major selling point for a car.

Ford

While Ford wasn’t as popular as other brands — for our car experts or for Kelley Blue Book —  the Ford F-150 was among Pyle’s picks. It’s the best-selling vehicle in America, according to U.S. News and World Report, with its biggest appeal coming from its versatility for both work and personal use. However, its depreciation value is about 38%, which is among the highest for trucks in iSeeCars’ analysis.

Two Fords made iSeeCars’ list of vehicles with the least depreciation, though they weren’t as low as others. The Ford Ranger depreciated 30% and the Ford Mustang depreciated about 27%.

Lexus

Although Lexus vehicles come with a notably higher price tag, given that it’s a luxury brand, Botnari picked it as one he recommends for top resale value.

Lexus hybrid vehicles, including the Lexus ES 300h, depreciated around 40% over five years. The Lexus RC 300 coupe depreciated around 27%, and the Lexus RX 350 depreciated around 33%, making it one of the midsize SUVs with the lowest depreciation.

Some Lexus models also made Kelley Blue Book’s list. KBB notes that the NX is relatively affordable compared to other models in that category. And the Lexus UX earned its best resale value award, with Kelley Blue Book praising its hybrid efficiency and affordable price point for a luxury model.

_{Featured image credit: © Marek Bieganski—iStock/Getty Images}