Year After Year, These 10 Cars Have the Highest Resale Value

Why does one car hold its value so much better than another? The factors determining a vehicle’s resale value, or the amount it will be worth on the used car market, are complex and sometimes subjective. If you’ve been thinking, “Hey, I can sell my car for big bucks?” you might want to do a little research before hitting publish on that classified ad. Not every vehicle has a high resale value, so you might end up disappointed.

Resale values depend mostly on demand. If a vehicle is highly sought after, it will fetch top dollar in the used car marketplace; however, the same make and model in a different color might go for far less. Every single factor, from trim level to color and even country region, plays a role in determining a vehicle’s value. These complex and often changing criteria make it tough to determine whether you’re sitting on a gold mine or a dud. For 2022, a few recent models have catapulted to the top of the resale value ranking, but just as many familiar names continue to hold their value. Let’s take a look at ten vehicles you may want to consider due to their sustaining value in the used automotive market.

#10 The Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is a perennial used car favorite, with an average five-year depreciation rate of under 60% for multiple model years. Toyota’s reputation for reliability is part of the reason, but the Tundra also has a reputation for being an excellent family vehicle, making it versatile and desirable across multiple demographics. Multiple trims give buyers tons of options, which further drives demand in the used market.

#9 The GMC Canyon

What do you get when you cross a capable full-size pickup with a smaller, more agile vehicle? The mighty GMC Canyon captures all the benefits of a full-size SUV without compromising fuel economy or driving enjoyment. Smaller dimensions mean your Canyon is at home in the city or on the job site. After five years, you can expect the GMC Canyon to retain 83.55% of its value, according to CarEdge. GMC pickups have the added benefit of upscale, premium features, which makes the Canyon a great daily driver for commuters.

#8 The Toyota Tacoma

Toyota adds a little secret sauce to every Tacoma midsize pickup since this truck is arguably more popular on the used market than a brand-new version sitting on the lot. Over five years, the Toyota Tacoma depreciates a mere 33%, which makes it one of the hottest vehicles on the used market across all size and body style categories. Though many pickup trucks made the list, the Tacoma is one of the most valuable vehicles on the used car market.

#7 The Ford Mustang Shelby

Sometimes, it’s all about the trim. That’s certainly the case with the Ford Mustang Shelby, which just happens to be the most powerful production car ever built by the Blue Oval. Specifically, the Shelby Mustang GT500 has more than a 64% resale value, which is more than any Porsche. It’s not surprising since this high-performance Mustang tears up the road with 760 hp and a whopping 625 lb-ft of torque from its 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine.

#6 The Toyota 4Runner

As SUVs go, the Toyota 4Runner is well on its way to legend status. This midsize SUV has been around for nearly 40 years, and in that time, millions of buyers have chosen it over other equally capable utility vehicles. It won the Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value award in 2021 and retains a spot in the top 10 for 2022, with a 5-year resale value of 58.6%. Fun fact: the 4Runner is the only SUV in Kelley Blue Book’s top 10 resale list.

#5 The Ford Ranger

With a 56.7% resale value after five years, the mighty Ford Ranger remains the most in-demand midsize pickup on the used market. It’s no wonder since Ford equips it with big truck capability and an array of trims for every lifestyle and budget. The Ranger’s big truck vibes include a tow rating of up to 7,500 lbs and an available Tremor Off-Road Package. Newer models offer turbocharged motors with best-in-class torque ratings, and most model years include upper-level trims with premium cabin finishes. The Ranger is perfect for truck lovers who don’t want the bulk of a full-size rig.

#4 The Subaru WRX

This little Subaru four-door is the sports car you’ve probably never heard of, but for fans, it’s the best-kept secret in the auto industry. The Subaru WRX offers all the practicality of a Subaru, including Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and exceptional safety ratings, along with a turbocharged 271 hp engine and an old-school 6-speed manual transmission. The unique combination of features earns the WRX an impressive 78.38% five-year resale value, and at year 10, they still hold on to over 42% of their value.

#3 The GMC Sierra

GMC’s full-size pickup nameplate epitomizes premium finishes and durability, two features many pickup truck buyers covet. With a new full-size truck costing as much as $80k, pickup buyers are flooding the used car market searching for a gently used alternative. GMC produces thousands of Sierra pickups every year, making it easy to find plenty of used models at dealer lots and on classified ad sites. Multiple trims, engines, and packages are available, but because the GMC Sierra’s resale value is a little higher than most other full-size trucks, you might have trouble finding a great deal.

#2 The Jeep Wrangler

What is it about the iconic Jeep Wrangler? It’s one of the most coveted pre-owned vehicles in America, and buyers don’t seem to care whether it has two doors or four, a stick shift or an automatic. There’s no shortage of used Wranglers available but be prepared to pay top dollar. Car Edge estimates that a 5-year-old Wrangler will retain 77.73% of its value, while a 2022 model will depreciate less than 4% in its first year.

#1 The Ford F-Series

Respected automotive research and valuation company Kelley Blue Book bestowed its 2022 Best Resale Value Award on the Ford F-Series pickup. Ford must be running out of space in the trophy cabinet because the full-size and heavy-duty truck lineups continue racking up the accolades, including best Certified Pre-Owned value. On average, Ford trucks retain around 56 percent of their value over five years.

We Can Help You Determine Your Vehicle’s Resale Value

If you’re considering selling your vehicle, utilize valuation sites like Kelley Blue Book to get an idea of its worth. These sites won’t always give you a true value because they can’t consider every subjective factor, but it’s a good first step. As you get closer to moving forward, consider visiting our website to use our localized vehicle trade-in value calculator. Our system considers all factors, including demand (right down to color) and geography.

We also welcome you to stop by and speak with someone on our acquisition team in person. Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth purchases hundreds of used vehicles, and we also offer some of the highest trade-in values in the area, so if your heart is set on a new vehicle or a new-to-you pre-owned model, we can help you get top dollar for your current car. While it’s true that some models are achieving higher-than-average resale values, most cars have good resale values.

What if you’re buying, not selling? American drivers love their pickup trucks and SUVs, so whether you choose a brand new fully loaded GMC Sierra Denali pickup or three-year-old subcompact Buick Encore, your vehicle will get top dollar in the resale market if you stay on top of regular maintenance and care for your investment. If resale value is a factor, consider sticking with popular colors and avoid aftermarket modifications. Whether you’re looking to sell or buy a great used vehicle, we here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth are here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.