- Almost every car will lose a portion of its value after you buy it.
- Some makes and models retain their value better than others.
- Dependability, durability, and ease of repair all factor into a car’s resale value.
We invest a lot of money in our vehicles, from the initial purchase price to continued maintenance. It would be nice to get some of that value back when it comes time to sell or trade them in. However, many vehicle models do not retain their value very well. The resale value of some vehicles all but disappears after a short 36 months (three years). Fortunately, there are several vehicles that provide strong resale value. Each year Kelley Blue Book singles out the best ones. Here is a list of 12 vehicles that provide the very best resale value to their owners.
12. Toyota Camry
The Camry is a tried, tested, and true sedan from Toyota that has proven its worth over the decades. The 2022 Toyota Camry remains one of the most impressive, value-laden cars anyone can buy. While more Americans are leaving sedans behind in favor of SUVs, the Camry still offers exceptional value. It’s a very practical option for people who are still willing to own a sedan.
The Camry can confidently stand next to its main competitors, the Honda Accord, Kia Optima, and Nissan Altima. Available in V6 and hybrid engines (a nice bonus over the base engine), the Camry also boasts standard driver-assist features that remain optional on some of its competitors. Owners can expect this car to retain about 60% of its value after three years. Not bad considering its starting price of around $25,000.
Shutterstock11. Honda HR-V
In the small SUV category, the Honda HR-V gets tops marks for its resale value. Equipped with backseats that fold down and plenty of standard tech features, the HR-V offers plenty of financial return. It helps that the 2022 HR-V has a budget-friendly starting price of $22,000 despite its many impressive features. These include active safety and driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, road departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
On the tech front, the HR-V also boasts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Armed with Honda’s trademark engine and durability, owners of this compact SUV can expect to retain 60% to 65% of its value after three years.
Source: Honda10. Chevy Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD pickups are big full-size pick-up trucks that are known as workhorses. After all, the Silverado can tow more than 23,000 pounds. You can do all of that without a commercial driver’s license. The truck is also known for its durability and has the best resale value of any heavy-duty truck on the market today.
The Silverado comes standard with a 6.0-liter gasoline-powered V8, as well as a Duramax turbodiesel option. The diesel was significantly redesigned, boasting up to 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. Did we mention the available four-wheel drive?
The tech-laden interior also impresses, as does the quiet cabin, which, combined, can make passengers forget that they’re riding in a pick-up truck. Owners can expect the Silverado to retain its residual value, with the pick-up retaining about 60% of its resale value after 36 months.
Source: Chevrolet9. Toyota Highlander
A midsize SUV, the Toyota Highlander is a resale value standout. It has a deserved reputation for reliability, versatility, and performance. This is a three-row midsize vehicle that really holds its value over the long term. The newest Highlanders also increases their overall efficiency, getting 27 miles per gallon with a V6 engine, and 35 miles per gallon in the gas/electric hybrid version.
Nicely outfitted at a starting price of $35,000, the 2022 Highlander is one of the most competitively priced vehicles in this segment. While there are many trim levels, each one will retain a strong resale value. The reliable and spacious Highlander is a second-hand market favorite, retaining up to 66% of its resale value after 36 months.
Source: Toyota8. Honda Odyssey
If there’s a perennial favourite in the minivan segment when it comes to resale value, it is the Honda Odyssey. In fact, the Odyssey was named “Minivan Best Buy Award” five years in a row by Kelley Blue Book (before finally being dethroned by the Toyota Sienna in 2021). No other minivan holds its value quite like the Honda Odyssey.
This is thanks to the van’s solid fundamentals, which include a rock hard chassis, seating for eight, a pair of sliding side doors, a spacious cargo area, and an ample number of cupholders. Primarily aimed at families, the newest Honda Odyssey is loaded with safety features, including eight standard airbags and a pair of curtain airbags that offer side-impact-protection for all three rows of seats.
While it is true that the Odyssey is among the most expensive minivans on the market today, with a base starting price of $33,000, it is worth the investment. Odysseys have been known to retain 68% to 70% of their value after 36 months.
Source: Honda7. Jeep Wrangler
The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is both modern and a throwback. It retains the SUV’s beloved, iconic appearance, while improving the ride quality, fuel economy, and adding cutting edge technology. The spacious four-door Wrangler Unlimited has the best resale value in the “off-road” SUV category. The two-door Wrangler is in second place, right behind it.
This distinction is due to the fact that the Jeep adds optimal conveniences while retaining its trail riding credibility. The 2022 Wrangler kept its solid front and rear axles and offers the choice of four-wheel-drive. People who like the Wrangler, like it a lot. That has enabled the vehicle to hold its value exceptionally well. The Jeep Wrangler has a famously high residual value, retaining up to 66.5% of its resale value after three years.
Source: Jeep6. Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a classic muscle car that seems to get better with age. While older model Chargers from the 70s are now collector’s items, the newer models also do very well in the resale market. The Charger continues to have the highest resale value of any full-size car in America.
The rear-wheel drive Charger just seems to appeal to the American spirit. So too does the 707-horsepower Hemi V8 engine found in the Charger SRT Hellcat. At a top price of nearly $70,000 for the high-end trim package, a new Charger may be out of many people’s budget. However, the Charger remains a good investment at any trim level. They typically retain nearly 70% of their value after 36 months. And these cars have been known to appreciate in value as they age and land on the radars of collectors.
Source: Dodge5. Lexus RC
Leave it to Lexus to create an entry level luxury car that is not only breathtaking but also retains its value incredibly well. With a model line that ranges from the $43,500 for the base model to $52000 for the a 311-horsepowered top of the line model, the Lexus RC is by no means cheap. However, the RC is exclusive enough that it maintains a healthy percentage of its resale value over the long-term.
Owners tend to take good care of their Lexus RCs and are often slow to sell them. That’s because the RCs are high quality, reliable, and offer a fantastic ride. Owners can expect this car to retain 70% or more of its value after 36 months of use. If you can find an owner willing to sell a great car so quickly, that is.
Source: Lexus4. Subaru Crosstrek
The best thing that can be said about the Subaru Crosstrek is that it’s a compact SUV that doesn’t feel very compact. A mesh of a hatchback and a higher-riding SUV, the Crosstrek has an adventurous aesthetic that makes it popular with consumers. The Crosstrek’s $22,445 starting price is also attractive to buyers.
The Crosstrek is a great vehicle for outdoor adventures. Each trim level comes standard with all-wheel drive and a robust 8.7 inches of ground clearance. It also stands out for its manual transmission option and fuel economy of 33 miles per gallon.
After throwing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility into the 2019 model, Subaru continues to be a real winner in 2022. Other features include automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Given its versatility, it should not surprise anyone that the Crosstrek retains 70% of its value over a three year period.
Source: Subaru3. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
In the popular sports car category, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 rules the roost when it comes to resale value. The latest version of the Mustang Shelby boasts a kickass 5.2-liter V8 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft that cranks out 526 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
While not cheap (a starting price of just under $73,000), the Mustang Shelby is a solid investment based on its current resale value. With superb power, world-class dynamics, and storied Mustang heritage, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is a much-loved car that will likely only grow in esteem and value over the years. Expect this car to retain as much as 70% of its value after three years.
Source: Ford2. Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is a car that has captured the attention of many. So much so, that buyers are willing to wait months (and even years) to get their hands on one. With so many people clamoring to get hold of a Model 3, it should come as no surprise that it really holds its resale value over time.
Operating like a sports sedan, the Model 3 provides “over-the-air” software updates, a massive center-mounted touch screen, and comfortable seats. Starting at $47,000 for the rear-drive base model, the four-door, five-passenger Model 3 boasts a full-charge range of roughly 300 miles. Impressive! Plus, Tesla’s network of quick-charging stations is one of the most comprehensive in the U.S. For these reasons, the Tesla Model 3 retains about 70% of its resale value after three years.
Shutterstock1. Audi A7
The winner for the best overall resale value is the Audi A7. This sleek four-door hatchback always had a great looks and cargo space to spare. The 2022 model boasts a high-end luxury interior and state-of-the-art technology. A 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine also makes the A7 extremely fast.
The A7 is also a very quiet and smooth ride. The base model of the Audi A7 comes with leather seating, GPS navigation, a moonroof, and just about every safety feature imaginable, including automatic emergency braking. The starting price of $69,200 might make some people wince, but take heart! The A7 retains as much as 75% of its value after 36 months. That’s about as good as it gets for a depreciated asset like a vehicle.
Source: Audi
