The Top 25 Cars That Hold Their Value Best – and the 25 Worst

Highlights:

• The Porsche 718 Cayman leads all vehicles for value retention, losing just 9.6% of its value after 5 years.
• Electric vehicles lose the most value after purchase, falling 57.2% in 5 years.
• Trucks and hybrids retain the most value, losing 34.2% and 35.4%, respectively.
• Electric vehicles and luxury models make up 24 of the 25 cars that lose the most value.
• Toyota is the most prominent brand for retained value, holding 10 of the top 25 spots.
• Although every vehicle type is retaining more value in 2026 than in 2025, EV depreciation has barely improved.

Used car demand peaked during the pandemic, creating higher prices and lower depreciation across every vehicle segment. But used car prices have moderated in recent years, with 5-year depreciation slowly returning to near pre-pandemic rates – until this year. In 2026, the trend of falling used car values reversed, with every major vehicle segment retaining more value than in 2025.

iSeeCars analyzed over 950,000 5-year-old used cars sold from March 2025 to February 2026 to determine 5-year depreciation rates. The analysis found that average 5-year depreciation improved to 41.8% in 2026, a 3.8 percentage point gain over 2025. This reflects an increase in the value of every major vehicle segment compared to a year ago.

“This recent reduction in 5-year depreciation rates suggests rising used car demand and/or insufficient supply over the past 12 months,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “We’re not back to pandemic levels, but with used cars retaining more value in every major vehicle segment, there’s clearly been a shift in overall used car value. Likely factors include ongoing new car price hikes and drops in consumer confidence, both of which are driving more used car demand.”

 

5-Year Depreciation By Segment: Every Vehicle Type Retains More Value in 2026

The hybrid segment's trajectory is the most dramatic in terms of value retention. After peaking at 56.7% depreciation in 2019 , hybrids now sit at 35.4% – a reversal driven by sustained demand and a used market that appears to have fully embraced fuel-efficient powertrains. “While SUVs are the most dominant body style in the U.S. market, it’s the truck and hybrid segments that hold their value the best among all vehicle types,” said Brauer. “Electric vehicles continue to lose more value than any other segment, outpacing the industry average by more than 15 percentage points.”

 

Top 25 Vehicles With the Lowest Depreciation: Sports Cars, Trucks Outpace the Market

The top 25 vehicles for retained value are dominated by sports/performance models and small SUVs, with a few trucks and compact cars included. The Porsche 718 Cayman and 911 lose the least value after 5 years, followed by the Chevrolet Corvette, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, and Honda Civic. Toyota is the most prominent brand, holding 10 of the top 25 spots. “It’s interesting to note that the two Porsches, plus one Lexus coupe, are the only luxury models to make the top 25 ranking for retained value,” said Brauer. “There are also five hybrid models, with Toyota’s Prius just making the list at slot 25.”

 

Top 25 Vehicles With the Highest Depreciation: EVs and Luxury Models Dominate

Luxury vehicles almost always lose more value than mainstream models, and with 18 luxury models in the top 25 of this year’s highest-depreciating cars, the trend continues. 

Electric vehicles are the other dominant vehicle type on this year’s top depreciation list, with five EVs in the top 10 and eight EVs in the top 25.

It's worth noting the difference between percentage loss and dollar loss at this end of the market. The Nissan LEAF leads in percentage depreciation at 63.1%, but its relatively modest original price means the dollar loss is $17,743. The Land Rover Range Rover depreciates 61.7% and loses $69,856. For buyers considering these vehicles new, the dollar figure tells a more complete story.

“Luxury vehicles offer an appealing blend of upscale styling, premium interior materials, and the latest in automotive technology,” said Brauer, “but if you’re buying a new car and looking to retain maximum value you’ll want to avoid most luxury models. The used car market simply doesn’t put the same value on those traits, as confirmed by the rate of luxury vehicle depreciation.”

 

Electric Vehicles Ranked By Depreciation: The Used Market Won’t Pay the EV Premium

Three electric vehicles, the Tesla Model 3, Porsche Taycan, and Hyundai Kona Electric, depreciate less than the typical EV. The other three Tesla models (Y, X, and S) along with vehicles like the Kia Niro EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, and Nissan LEAF all lose even more than the 57.2% in value that makes up the EV segment average. “Electric vehicles consistently cost more than the equivalent gasoline or hybrid model,” said Brauer. “That high upfront cost comes back to haunt electric cars on the used market, where buyers aren’t willing to pay the premium.”

 

Hybrid Vehicles Ranked By Depreciation: The Safe Bet for Long-Term Value in 2026

Hybrid vehicles are among the best segments for retained value, losing just 35.4% of their value after 5 years. Toyota dominates the rankings, holding five of the seven slots above the segment average.

The driving force is consistent mainstream demand. Models that pair fuel efficiency with broad consumer appeal hold their value because buyers on both sides of the market want them, without the range anxiety or resale risk that continue to weigh on fully electric alternatives.

“Luxury brands again lose out to mainstream models, as seen by the lowest-ranked hybrids for retained value,” said Brauer. “Yet even the three bottom-ranked luxury hybrid models retain about as much value as the average electric car.”

 

Trucks Ranked By Depreciation: Top-Performing Segment for 5-Year Value Retention

Trucks are the number one vehicle segment when it comes to retained value, with Toyota’s Tacoma and Tundra topping the list, followed by the Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator, and GMC Canyon. All of these trucks rank above the segment’s impressive 34.2% average depreciation rate for retained value. 

A truck’s strong value retention reflects its utility, which doesn't age the way technology or prestige does. Towing capacity, payload, and off-road capability matter as much to a used truck buyer as they do to a new one.

“Americans clearly love their trucks, with even the highest depreciating models like the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado ranking better than the industry average,” said Brauer. 

 

Small SUVs With the Lowest Depreciation: Popularity Equals Retained Value

The Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid average just 25% loss in value after 5 years. That’s an impressive figure, especially given how many new RAV4s are sold every year. Honda’s HR-V and CR-V lose just 28% of their value, while the Subaru Crosstrek and Forester give up only 29% and 33% of their value. All of these models sell in high volumes when new, and that demand clearly continues in the used market. “Small SUVs have replaced sedans as the best-selling vehicles in the U.S.,” said Brauer. “The Toyota RAV4 and Honda HR-V and CR-V cover a wide range of needs at a reasonable price. The same is true for the Subaru Crosstrek and Forester, creating plenty of demand and giving all of these models excellent value retention on the used market.

 

Small SUVs With the Highest Depreciation: EV Premium Fades Quickly

Four of the five small SUVs with the highest depreciation are electric vehicles, further highlighting the challenge EVs face when it comes to retaining value. 

The Volkswagen ID.4 (62.1%) and Ford Mustang Mach-E (60.8%) illustrate how quickly the used market devalues electric powertrains in a segment typically bought for long-term practicality and everyday affordability.

“The value equation offered by most small SUVs is lost when buying one of these higher-priced models, thus their high depreciation in an otherwise popular segment,” said Brauer. 

 

Midsize SUVs With the Lowest Depreciation: Off-Road Capability Wins

All of these midsize SUVs are extremely popular models with a loyal customer base. Their desire within the new vehicle market doesn’t fade when they transfer to the used side, as confirmed by their retained value after 5 years. The Toyota 4Runner (25.5%) and Jeep Wrangler (32.4%) lead the segment, with demand that holds steady regardless of broader market conditions. But high-volume models like the Lexus RX (32.8%) and Toyota Highlander/Highlander Hybrid (36%) prove mainstream appeal also matters. “It’s interesting to see the dichotomy between these high-value midsized SUVs,” said Brauer. “You have truly capable off-road models, like the 4Runner, Wrangler, and Bronco, but also high-volume on-road-oriented models like the RX and Highlander, confirming a strong fanbase for both types of SUVs.”

 

Midsize SUVs With the Highest Depreciation: Premium Brands Lose the Most

The top 5 midsize SUVs that lose the most value are dominated by luxury brands. With their high purchase price and loss of value compared to the segment average, buying one of these SUVs as a new model will lead to thousands of dollars in additional lost value after 5 years.

The Tesla Model X leads the highest-depreciating midsize SUVs at 61.2%, translating to over $61,000 in lost value after 5 years, more than three times the segment average in dollar terms. The used market treats premium technology and materials as rapidly depreciating assets, not enduring value drivers.

“With the average midsize SUV losing around $21,000, models like the Land Rover Range Rover Sport and Tesla Model X will cost new car buyers between two and three times as much in lost value after 5 years,” said Brauer.

 

Large SUVs With the Lowest Depreciation: High Utility Equals High Value Retention

Unlike most categories, the best large SUV for value retention is a luxury model – the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which loses only 34% of its value after 5 years. The somewhat limited production of this unique and iconic model gives it more than a 10 percentage point advantage over the second-place Chevrolet Tahoe (45.3%) and third-place GMC Yukon/Yukon XL (48.0%).

Traditional American large SUVs offer high towing capacity and multi-passenger utility that remain in strong demand. It is worth noting that even the second-ranked large SUV, the Tahoe, depreciates above the overall industry average of 41.8%, making this a segment where strong value retention is relative.

“Mercedes-Benz breaks the trend of weak value retention by luxury brands, with two models in the top 5 ranking for large SUVs,” said Brauer. “Between the two German models are three of GM’s largest SUVs, vehicles that have a huge fanbase across the new and used car markets.”

 

Large SUVs With the Highest Depreciation: Large Luxury Can Mean Large Depreciation

The worst large SUV for value retention, the INFINITI QX80, was recently redesigned after the previous generation was sold for 15 years. The combination of selling the same basic vehicle for so many years, followed by an all-new model finally coming to market, is the perfect recipe for massive depreciation, or in this case, losing 62.8% of the QX80’s value in 5 years. “Large SUVs offer a large range of capabilities and utility,” said Brauer. “But they can also lose a large amount of value, so choose carefully when considering your next big SUV.”

Consumers in the market for a new vehicle should keep depreciation in mind when looking at different models. This is often the most expensive factor when buying a new car, truck, or SUV, but it doesn’t have to be if buyers choose wisely. And shoppers looking for a great deal on a used car might find an excellent candidate ranked among the highest depreciation models listed above.

 

Methodology

iSeeCars analyzed over 950,000 5-year-old used cars sold from March 2025 to February 2026. Heavy-duty trucks and vans, models no longer in production as of the 2025 model year, and low-volume models were removed from further analysis. MSRPs were inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars based on data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The difference in average asking price for each vehicle between its MSRP and its used car pricing was mathematically modeled to obtain the vehicle’s depreciation.

About iSeeCars.com