Cars That Hold Their Value
35 popular models ranked by real 5-year value retention — the median used-market price of a 5-year-old versus a 1-year-old, from live listing data as of August 2026. The spread is enormous: the Nissan Rogue retains 87.8% while the Honda Pilot retains just 59.2%.
| # | Model | 1-yr-old median | 5-yr-old median | 5-yr retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Rogue | $22,100 | $19,401 | 87.8% |
| 2 | Nissan Altima | $20,479 | $16,900 | 82.5% |
| 3 | Toyota Tacoma | $40,355 | $33,057 | 81.9% |
| 4 | Mazda CX-5 | $28,118 | $22,990 | 81.8% |
| 5 | Ford Mustang | $42,994 | $34,400 | 80% |
| 6 | Toyota RAV4 | $34,538 | $26,889 | 77.9% |
| 7 | Honda Accord | $28,720 | $22,199 | 77.3% |
| 8 | Toyota Tundra | $52,325 | $39,900 | 76.3% |
| 9 | Toyota Corolla | $23,419 | $17,798 | 76% |
| 10 | Ram 1500 | $43,307 | $32,676 | 75.5% |
| 11 | Honda Civic | $26,463 | $19,790 | 74.8% |
| 12 | Toyota Camry | $29,620 | $21,995 | 74.3% |
| 13 | Toyota 4Runner | $51,169 | $37,890 | 74% |
| 14 | Honda CR-V | $34,036 | $25,075 | 73.7% |
| 15 | Toyota Highlander | $43,500 | $31,064 | 71.4% |
| 16 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $44,713 | $31,855 | 71.2% |
| 17 | Subaru Forester | $32,819 | $23,276 | 70.9% |
| 18 | Ford Escape | $24,442 | $17,230 | 70.5% |
| 19 | Tesla Model Y | $39,700 | $27,982 | 70.5% |
| 20 | Subaru Outback | $32,868 | $22,980 | 69.9% |
| 21 | GMC Sierra 1500 | $49,988 | $34,882 | 69.8% |
| 22 | Lexus RX | $54,495 | $36,908 | 67.7% |
| 23 | Hyundai Tucson | $26,805 | $17,999 | 67.1% |
| 24 | Ford F-150 | $50,260 | $33,572 | 66.8% |
| 25 | Kia Telluride | $35,840 | $23,938 | 66.8% |
| 26 | Tesla Model 3 | $37,995 | $24,725 | 65.1% |
| 27 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | $36,030 | $23,369 | 64.9% |
| 28 | Chevrolet Equinox | $26,408 | $17,116 | 64.8% |
| 29 | BMW 3 Series | $39,843 | $25,806 | 64.8% |
| 30 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | $39,986 | $24,993 | 62.5% |
| 31 | Chevrolet Tahoe | $64,885 | $40,499 | 62.4% |
| 32 | Chevrolet Suburban | $64,900 | $39,495 | 60.9% |
| 33 | GMC Yukon | $71,362 | $43,275 | 60.6% |
| 34 | Ford Explorer | $40,149 | $24,136 | 60.1% |
| 35 | Honda Pilot | $43,259 | $25,616 | 59.2% |
Median advertised prices from live used-market listings, computed August 2026. Models without at least 25 listings in both age groups are excluded — never estimated. Click a model for its full year-by-year curve.
Retention is the price you get back
The other half of the equation is the price you pay going in. Search live inventory and compare real asking prices before the curve starts running.
Search live inventoryFrequently asked questions
Which cars hold their value best?
In this ranking of 35 popular models (live used-market data, August 2026), the Nissan Rogue holds value best: a 5-year-old sells for a median $19,401 — 87.8% of a 1-year-old's $22,100. Trucks and body-on-frame SUVs dominate the top of the table.
How is 5-year retention calculated?
For each model we compare the median advertised price of 1-year-old examples against 5-year-old examples on the used market today, from live listing data. Only models with at least 25 listings in both age groups rank — nothing is projected or interpolated.
Why does value retention matter more than sticker price?
Depreciation is usually the single largest cost of ownership — bigger than fuel or insurance. A car that costs $3,000 more but retains 10 extra points of value after five years is the cheaper car to own. Strong retention also means used examples stay expensive, which can tip the new-vs-used math toward buying new.
Does high retention mean I should buy that car used?
Often the opposite: high-retention models carry small used discounts, so a new one (with full warranty and current incentives) can cost barely more than a 3-year-old. Low-retention models are where used buyers win. Check each model's full year-by-year curve to see where the value settles.