30 Cars With the Highest Resale Value

John Csiszar
·6 min read

In the midst of a global pandemic, buying a car might not be on the top of most people’s minds. However, there’s lots of evidence to suggest that there is no better time to be buying a car.

With decreased demand due to the uncertain economy, many dealers are offering special financing deals and other incentives to get people to buy. Dealers have come up with numerous creative ways to move the sales process along, offering everything from virtual test drives and video walk-throughs to contactless purchasing. Internet pricing and car delivery are also part of the new normal and may remain in place long after the pandemic passes.

Since a new car is a depreciating asset, you should consider a car’s long-term resale value when calculating which type to own. Cars that maintain their value are easy to sell or trade in later on and don’t cost as much in depreciation.

To help you locate the cars with the best resale value, GOBankingRates analyzed 46 cars from Edmunds’ 2019 Best Retained Value-awarded cars and 2020 Best Car lists. Cars were then ranked in reverse order, with the highest average percentage of retained value after five years topping the scale. Overall, Japanese automakers dominate the list: Honda, Lexus, Subaru, Mazda, Toyota and Acura, all Japanese brands, occupy a whopping 19 of the top 30 slots on the list. Perhaps surprisingly, the top “car” on the best resale value list is actually a truck, the 2020 Toyota Tundra.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not it’s a good time to buy a car, check out these cars that offer high resale value. It might just be the right incentive to get you to purchase one.

Last updated: Oct. 6, 2020

30. 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250

  • Starting MSRP: $36,650

  • 5-year depreciation: $22,052

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 39.83%

29. 2020 Subaru Outback

  • Starting MSRP: $26,645

  • 5-year depreciation: $15,454

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 42.00%

28. 2020 Toyota Sequoia

  • Starting MSRP: $49,980

  • 5-year depreciation: $28,975

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 42.03%

27. 2020 Mazda CX-5

  • Starting MSRP: $25,190

  • 5-year depreciation: $14,556

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 42.22%

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26. 2020 Lexus ES 350

  • Starting MSRP: $39,900

  • 5-year depreciation: $22,730

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 43.03%

25. 2020 Jeep Gladiator

  • Starting MSRP: $33,545

  • 5-year depreciation: $18,508

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 44.83%

24. 2020 Acura MDX

  • Starting MSRP: $44,500

  • 5-year depreciation: $24,315

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 45.36%

23. 2020 Audi A4

  • Starting MSRP: $37,400

  • 5-year depreciation: $20,333

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 45.63%

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22. 2020 Ford F-150

  • Starting MSRP: $28,745

  • 5-year depreciation: $15,073

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 47.56%

21. 2020 Toyota Avalon

  • Starting MSRP: $35,875

  • 5-year depreciation: $18,732

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 47.79%

20. 2020 Honda Odyssey

  • Starting MSRP: $30,790

  • 5-year depreciation: $16,072

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 47.80%

19. 2020 Dodge Charger

  • Starting MSRP: $29,995

  • 5-year depreciation: $15,567

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 48.10%

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18. 2020 Hyundai Tucson

  • Starting MSRP: $23,550

  • 5-year depreciation: $12,220

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 48.11%

17. 2020 Honda Accord

  • Starting MSRP: $24,270

  • 5-year depreciation: $12,504

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 48.48%

16. 2020 Kia Sorento

  • Starting MSRP: $26,990

  • 5-year depreciation: $13,522

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 49.90%

15. 2020 Honda Civic Sedan

  • Starting MSRP: $20,800

  • 5-year depreciation: $10,308

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 50.44%

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14. 2020 Subaru Impreza

  • Starting MSRP: $18,695

  • 5-year depreciation: $9,241

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 50.57%

13. 2020 Honda Civic Coupe

  • Starting MSRP: $21,050

  • 5-year depreciation: $10,308

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 51.03%

12. 2020 Honda CR-V

  • Starting MSRP: $25,150

  • 5-year depreciation: $12,232

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 51.36%

11. 2020 Subaru Crosstrek

  • Starting MSRP: $22,145

  • 5-year depreciation: $10,756

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 51.43%

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10. 2020 Toyota Corolla

  • Starting MSRP: $19,600

  • 5-year depreciation: $9,426

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 51.91%

9. 2020 Hyundai Kona

  • Starting MSRP: $20,300

  • 5-year depreciation: $9,617

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 52.63%

8. 2020 Porsche 911

  • Starting MSRP: $99,200

  • 5-year depreciation: $46,455

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 53.17%

7. 2020 GMC Sierra 1500

  • Starting MSRP: $31,195

  • 5-year depreciation: $14,502

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 53.51%

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6. 2020 Subaru WRX

  • Starting MSRP: $27,495

  • 5-year depreciation: $12,696

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 53.82%

5. 2020 Jeep Wrangler

  • Starting MSRP: $28,295

  • 5-year depreciation: $12,092

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 57.26%

4. 2020 Toyota Tacoma

  • Starting MSRP: $26,050

  • 5-year depreciation: $11,029

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 57.66%

3. 2020 Lexus NX 300

  • Starting MSRP: $36,870

  • 5-year depreciation: $15,395

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 58.25%

2. 2020 Lexus GX 460

  • Starting MSRP: $53,000

  • 5-year depreciation: $21,937

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 58.61%

1. 2020 Toyota Tundra

  • Starting MSRP: $33,575

  • 5-year depreciation: $11,623

  • Average retained value after 5 years: 65.38%

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: In order to find the 30 cars with the highest resale value, GOBankingRates looked at Edmunds’ 2019 Best Retained Value Awarded cars and 2020 Best Car Lists. Once 46 cars were selected for analysis, GOBankingRates found each model’s (1) starting MSRP from its brand’s website and (2) estimated 5-year depreciation as sourced from Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator. With these two factors, GOBankingRates then calculated each model’s (3) average retained value after 5 years with the highest percentage being best. All data was collected on and up to date as of July 15, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 30 Cars With the Highest Resale Value

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