Buying a car isn’t about “making money.” It’s about losing less of it. Here’s what resale value actually means in 2025, what the latest lists and studies show, and how to use that data to choose smarter.
What “resale value” really means
Resale value is the share of a vehicle’s original price it’s expected to retain after a set time period, usually five years. Higher retained value means lower total cost to own, all else equal.
The 2025 snapshot: who’s holding value
Industry lists point to consistent winners. Kelley Blue Book’s 2025 Best Resale Value Top 10 mixes trucks, SUVs, and sports cars, with several models projected to retain roughly 54–64% of their value after five years. Examples frequently cited this year include Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Tundra and 4Runner, Ford Bronco, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Porsche 911, and Toyota GR Supra.
What the broader data says
A large 2025 depreciation study found five-year loss varies by segment and powertrain: trucks and hybrids are around ~40% loss, EVs average ~58.8% loss, and the overall industry average sits near 45.6%. Translation: segment choice matters as much as the badge.
Why some vehicles hold value better
- Demand outpaces supply: enduring popularity, low fleet sales, limited allocations
- Brand reputation: strong reliability and owner satisfaction signals
- Practical segments: trucks and popular family SUVs often have deeper used-market demand
- Incentives & discounts: heavy new-car incentives can weaken future used prices
- Trim/option discipline: mainstream trims and neutral colors appeal to more buyers
A simple pre-purchase checklist
- Compare five-year retained value for your short list
- Favor mainstream trims and widely desired options
- Check reliability and ownership costs alongside resale projections
- Avoid models with heavy incentives or rental/fleet saturation
- Plan an exit timeline (3 vs 5 years) before you buy
- Protecting your resale value after purchase
- Keep maintenance on time and documented
- Avoid hard-to-resell mods; save stock parts
- Manage mileage and tire condition; fix minor cosmetics early
- Keep records organized for a clean sale listing
- Time the sale to seasonal demand in your region
Quick Q&A
Do colors and options matter? Yes. Neutral colors and mainstream packages sell faster and closer to guide values.
EV vs hybrid in 2025? Hybrids typically hold better than EVs right now; check segment-level data for the specific models you’re considering.
How should I use awards vs studies? Use awards lists to build a short list, then validate with multi-model depreciation studies and local market comps. KBB’s awards use five-year residual forecasts; iSeeCars analyzes millions of transactions on 5-year-old vehicles.