15 Cars With the Highest Resale Value

One of the best ways to save money on a new car is to go into the negotiation with a sweet trade-in that commands top dollar. The only way to do that is to sell a car while it’s still relatively new or buy one that holds its value over the long term.

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In the end, no vehicle can repel the constant gnawing of depreciation, but some go into battle with much better armor than others. 

Using sources like Kelley Blue Book and JD Power, GOBankingRates identified the vehicles that hold their value better over time than any others on the market. If you buy the right car, truck, or SUV today, you’ll be glad you did when it’s time to trade up in a few years. 

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These are the vehicles that clamp down on their resale value and don’t let go.

Last updated: Sept. 6, 2021

• Starting MSRP: $24,970
• 5-Year depreciation: $11,289
• Average retained value after 5 years: 54.79%

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• Starting MSRP: $69,900
• 5-Year depreciation: $30,792
• Average retained value after 5 years: 55.95%

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• Starting MSRP: $37,765
• 5-Year depreciation: $16,529
• Average retained value after 5 years: 56.23%

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• Starting MSRP: $49,600
• 5-Year depreciation: $21,580
• Average retained value after 5 years: 56.49%

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• Starting MSRP: $21,250
• 5-Year depreciation: $9,226
• Average retained value after 5 years: 56.58%

• Starting MSRP: $28,800
• 5-Year depreciation: $12,370
• Average retained value after 5 years: 57.05%

• Starting MSRP: $29,995
• 5-Year depreciation: $12,220
• Average retained value after 5 years: 59.26%

• Starting MSRP: $156,450
• 5-Year depreciation: $62,084
• Average retained value after 5 years: 60.32%

• Starting MSRP: $21,200
• 5-Year depreciation: $7,977
• Average retained value after 5 years: 62.37%

• Starting MSRP: $86,830
• 5-Year depreciation: $31,459
• Average retained value after 5 years: 63.77%

• Starting MSRP: $28,900
• 5-Year depreciation: $10,092
• Average retained value after 5 years: 65.08%

• Starting MSRP: $34,025
• 5-Year depreciation: $11,524
• Average retained value after 5 years: 66.13%

• Starting MSRP: $60,500
• 5-Year depreciation: $20,401
• Average retained value after 5 years: 66.28%

• Starting MSRP: $59,900
• 5-Year depreciation: $20,067
• Average retained value after 5 years: 66.50%

• Starting MSRP: $26,400
• 5-Year depreciation: $7,897
• Average retained value after 5 years: 70.09%

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John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article. 

Methodology: In order to find the 15 cars with the highest resale value, GOBankingRates looked at Kelley Blue Book’s “2021 Best Resale Value Awards: Top Cars, Trucks and SUVs” and J.D. Power’s “Best Resale Value Awards Given to 25 Models in 2020 Study.” Once 33 cars with applicable data 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 were collected on and up to date as of June 15, 2021.