There’s nothing quite like the smell of a brand new car. Driving off the lot in something that has zero miles on the clock is still a rare automotive treat, but as we all know it comes with the knowledge that those first few years of depreciation will be steep.
If you are fortunate enough to be in the market for a new car but want to avoid any depreciation disasters, then our list below should help narrow down your choices. And remember, even if you aren’t buying cash, lease deals also tend to be more affordable on cars that are projected to lose less value over time.
Cars With Best Resale Value After 3 Years
Below is a list of the top ten best performing vehicles when it comes to retained values. We have included every category and body style here.
| Make and Model | Retained Value After 3 Years |
| Porsche 911 | 98% |
| Ford Maverick | 90% |
| Toyota Tacoma | 89% |
| Honda Civic | 88% |
| Toyota 4Runner | 88% |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | 87% |
| Toyota Sienna | 86% |
| Toyota Corolla Hatchback | 86% |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 85% |
| Toyota RAV4 | 85% |
Sports Car Surprise
Porsche
Porsche
Seeing a pricey sports car top the tables may come as a surprise to some, but the Porsche 911 has managed to retain more of its initial purchase price than any other car over the past 3 years. In fact, the average 911 still costs about as much as it did when new.
While that is an impressive performance, the data set includes all variants of the 911, including the very pricey GT3 and GT3 RS as well as limited edition models like the 911 Sport Classic, 911 S/T and 911 Dakar. These rare models tend to appreciate in value, meaning that they mitigate the slight drop in value of regular 911s like the Carrera and Carrera T. However the overall number of these models is low, as is their influence on the retained value figure.
Practical Value Performers
Fans of slightly more practical (and affordable) vehicles will be pleased to know that both the compact Ford Maverick pickup and the midsize Toyota Tacoma took second and third spot, retaining 90% and 89% of their new values respectively.
The Maverick has proven to be very popular thanks to its affordable running costs, well-priced base models and enough choice to cater to a broad range of customers. The Taco’s result is also impressive, but hardly unexpected seeing as it has been the best-selling midsize pickup in the US for the past 21 years. In fact, the retained value performance of Toyota models in general must have rival automakers wondering where they have gone wrong. that’s because aside from a lone entry from Honda, the rest of our top ten lowest depreciating models are all Toyotas.
The Civic Exception
Honda
Hondas have usually been at the pointy end of their segments thanks to their durability, engineering integrity and great overall performance. The current generation Civic is a great example of a compact car done right; a base Civic LX is all the car most people could ever need. With a retained value of 88% over three years, the Civic is also currently the compact car that makes the most sense from a financial standpoint if you are buying new
Toyota Domination
Toyota
Toyota
Toyota
The key to ensuring that your products retain their value is to focus on what customers want. that may seem obvious, but few automakers do it better than Toyota, it is dedicated to building affordable, reliable, and low-maintenance vehicles.
While we all wish we had a Ferrari or that Porsche 911 in our garage, most people use their vehicles for commuting and the odd weekend away. And Toyota knows just how to cater to the daily driver demographic. Avoiding heavy incentives, wildly fluctuating new car prices and limiting fleet and rental sales will also stabilize the used car market and help ensure that used prices remain strong.
This is how Toyota has managed to secure the final six places in our top ten, with every car here retaining between 85% and 88% of its initial value. This includes vehicles from across all segments, including the Sienna minivan, RAV4 compact SUV and even the rugged 4Runner.
Know Your Car’s Resale Value
Buying a new car tends to fill most of us with a lot of excitement tinged with a bit of dread knowing how much value our shiny new ride will lose in the coming years. But, if you know which models to look for, that new car feeling can last that much longer.
About the author
John Tallodi
Senior Editor