Cars With the Best Resale Value
Measured against live listings — not book estimates — the Porsche 911 holds value best: 5-year-old examples list at $187,831 versus $206,290 new, keeping 91.1%. Across all 182 models measured, the average 5-year-old car keeps roughly half.
By the CarWhere Research Team · Updated 2026-10-25 · Live US listing medians · full 182-model study
| # | Model | Value kept @ 5 yrs | New (median) | 5 yrs old (median) | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porsche 911 | 91.1% | $206,290 | $187,831 | 284 |
| 2 | Honda Civic Hatchback | 75.8% | $29,655 | $22,490 | 575 |
| 3 | Ford Mustang | 70.9% | $46,384 | $32,899 | 936 |
| 4 | Honda Civic | 68.5% | $28,263 | $19,371 | 784 |
| 5 | Toyota Tacoma | 68.3% | $47,113 | $32,166 | 2167 |
| 6 | Honda Accord | 68.1% | $32,298 | $21,985 | 1563 |
| 7 | Honda CR-V | 66.3% | $37,127 | $24,626 | 1767 |
| 8 | Mazda Mazda3 | 65.5% | $29,152 | $19,095 | 344 |
| 9 | Mazda MAZDA3 | 65.5% | $29,152 | $19,095 | 344 |
| 10 | Toyota Sienna | 64.6% | $53,534 | $34,590 | 711 |
| 11 | Toyota RAV4 | 63.7% | $41,446 | $26,414 | 3420 |
| 12 | Lexus IS | 63.5% | $55,164 | $35,008 | 260 |
| 13 | Toyota Corolla | 62.7% | $27,980 | $17,535 | 1632 |
| 14 | Ford Bronco 4-Door | 62.2% | $56,969 | $35,447 | 717 |
| 15 | Honda HR-V | 62% | $31,350 | $19,428 | 534 |
| 16 | Mazda CX-30 | 61.6% | $32,016 | $19,727 | 571 |
| 17 | Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 61.3% | $220,335 | $135,015 | 347 |
| 18 | Toyota 4Runner | 61.2% | $60,580 | $37,050 | 1309 |
| 19 | Hyundai Elantra | 61% | $26,539 | $16,188 | 795 |
| 20 | Subaru WRX | 61% | $37,997 | $23,193 | 275 |
| 21 | Toyota Camry | 60.6% | $36,267 | $21,995 | 1777 |
| 22 | Mazda CX-5 | 60.2% | $36,851 | $22,187 | 1253 |
| 23 | Ford Ranger | 59.4% | $44,450 | $26,384 | 1163 |
| 24 | Toyota Prius | 59.3% | $35,994 | $21,348 | 127 |
| 25 | Chevrolet Corvette | 59% | $108,515 | $63,999 | 560 |
| 26 | Honda Ridgeline | 59% | $46,728 | $27,579 | 241 |
| 27 | KIA K5 | 58.7% | $31,512 | $18,485 | 867 |
| 28 | Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD | 58.5% | $77,894 | $45,573 | 346 |
| 29 | Lexus RX | 58.3% | $61,612 | $35,900 | 607 |
| 30 | Honda Odyssey | 58.2% | $45,833 | $26,675 | 411 |
Value kept = median asking price of 5-year-old examples in live US dealer listings ÷ the same model's median new price today. Minimum 40 used and 50 new listings per model; discontinued models excluded. Updated 2026-10-25.
Strong resale ≠ pay sticker.
Even the best value-holders transact below MSRP most months. Before you negotiate, see what buyers actually paid for the exact model, and check its full depreciation curve before choosing new vs used.
FAQ
Which car has the best resale value?
Porsche 911: 5-year-old examples list at $187,831 against a $206,290 median new price — 91.1% of its value kept, from live listings rather than book estimates. Honda Civic Hatchback (75.8%) and Ford Mustang (70.9%) follow.
What kinds of vehicles hold value best?
Trucks, body-on-frame off-roaders, and enthusiast cars dominate — strong used demand, long production runs, and buyers who shop the nameplate rather than cross-shop. High-volume commodity sedans and luxury flagships sit at the other end.
How is this measured?
Each model's "value kept" = the median asking price of its 5-year-old examples on live US dealer lots divided by the same model's median new price today (minimum 40 used listings and 50 new listings per model; median mileage recorded). It reflects the real new-vs-used decision a buyer faces — not depreciation from a years-old MSRP. Data refreshed 2026-10-25.
Does strong resale value mean I should pay sticker?
No — it means the market will give more back when you sell, not that the dealer deserves more today. Check what verified buyers actually paid for the model before negotiating; even top value-holders transact below MSRP in most months.