10 Vehicles with the Best Resale Value

2016 Toyota Tacoma skyline ・ Photo by Toyota Media

When you are deciding on a new car, a number of factors and choices run through your mind: what color should I get it in? Do I want more power or better fuel economy? Automatic or manual transmission? Cloth or leather? One item that often gets overlooked by many buyers, however, is resale value. Some vehicles hold their value steadily, while others see their sink drop like a stone. As your lifetime automotive advisor, we decided to pick the 10 vehicles that are expected to have the best resale value after three years. To figure out which vehicles made the cut, we looked at data from Kelley Blue Book, which keeps track of resale values.

Toyota Tacoma — 72.9%

If there's one type of vehicle that tends to have the best resale value, that would be the pickup truck. Consider the Toyota Tacoma. According to Kelley Blue Book, the Tacoma is projected to retain 72.9% of its original value in three years’ time. But that isn't the only plus to the Tacoma. Toyota offers a variety of cab styles, engine choices, and trim levels to suit your needs. The Tacoma starts at $23,660.

Toyota 4Runner — 66.7%

Score another one for Toyota — the 4Runner midsize SUV should retain about two-thirds of its original value after three years. The 4Runner offers an optional third row of seating that boosts passenger capacity up to seven, making this SUV a popular choice for families, and a long list of standard features means that buying a 4Runner is money well spent. Toyota offers the 4Runner at a starting price of $33,810.

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GMC Canyon — 70.7%

The GMC Canyon was reintroduced just last year, and this compact pickup truck has already established itself as a key player in this competitive segment. The Canyon is offered in a wide variety of configurations, so buyers can choose whatever works best for work or play, and then see the Canyon retain about 70% of its value when it comes time to trade up. A little aside, here: Although the GMC Canyon’s 3-year resale value is slightly higher than that of the 4Runner, Kelley Blue Book ranks the Canyon below the 4Runner because KBB also considers the 5-year resale value when compiling this top 10 list. The GMC Canyon starts at $20,955.

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Chevrolet Colorado — 70.0%

The Chevrolet Colorado is another compact pickup, a close sibling of the GMC Canyon, so it makes sense that these two vehicles would have very close projected resale values. Also available with plenty of customization options, the Chevy Colorado is a smart choice for lots of truck buyers. The Colorado has a starting MSRP of $20,100.

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Jeep Wrangler — 65.6%

Ask someone to think of an iconic American vehicle and more often then not, the Jeep Wrangler comes to mind. With a legacy that stretches back to World War II, the Wrangler has a history that few vehicles can match. Another item that few vehicles can even attempt to match with the Wrangler is its ability to go anywhere without breaking a sweat thanks to a choice of different off-road systems, sturdy frame, and generous ground clearance. An added bonus is the variety of trims that anyone from a college graduate to a person who wants the ultimate off-road vehicle can afford. Kelley Blue Book says that in three years, the Wrangler will keep about 65% of its original value. The Wrangler begins at $23,895.

Toyota Tundra — 64.1%

Yet another Toyota and yet another truck, the fullsize Tundra is another smart choice for a work vehicle that retains its value. The Toyota Tundra features a very comfortable cabin, so even when this workhorse is being used to its full potential, it doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. The Tundra is also equipped with off-road-worthy suspension components, so it’s a great choice for buyers who occasionally get the urge to explore. New Tundras start at $29,140.

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Subaru WRX — 65.2%

The Subaru WRX is a sporty compact sedan with a great all-wheel drive system and great resale value. The WRX seats five passengers, but it’s really a driver-focused vehicle, offered with peppy turbocharged engine choices and featuring suspension tuning that helps it handle and corner exceptionally well. There are plenty of reasons why the WRX has such an enthusiastic following, and its resale value is only part of the equation. The MSRP for the Subaru WRX is $26,595.

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Chevrolet Camaro — 61.0%

sports cars typically aren’t known for having a high resale value — it’s always safe to assume the original owner’s used, abused, and generally gotten his or her’s money’s worth — but the Chevrolet Camaro appears to be bucking this trend. Kelley Blue Book says a new Camaro should retain about 61% of its value over the first three years, which is a strong point in the Camaro’s favor. For anyone who’s trying to choose amongst the different incarnations of Detroit pony cars, perhaps consider this practical factor. A new Camaro starts at $25,700.

GMC Sierra — 57.0%

GMC’s fullsize truck offering, the Sierra, is another candidate for excellent resale value. This truck might actually be a bit more than most truck buyers need, but that’s by design. The Sierra offers a comfortable interior, the usual endless menu of configurations, a freshly updated infotainment system, and promising resale prospects. This GMC truck starts at $27,715.

Photo by General Motors

Subaru Forester — 59.3%

The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV with utilitarian styling, fun and powerful engine choices, one of the best cargo capacities in its class, and good safety scores. It’ll also be worth almost 60% of its original value in three years. At a starting price of $22,395, the Subaru Forester is one of the least expensive SUVs with standard all-wheel drive.