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Best Resale Value Compact Cars for 2026

The best resale value compact cars are determined based on analyzing over 3 million vehicles to calculate how much each compact car model depreciates after 5 years.

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The Honda Civic (hatchback) has the best resale value among compact cars. The Civic retains 76.9 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $24,442 for 5-year-old models. The Civic's resale value puts it 10.2 percent above the resale value average for compact cars, which is 66.6 percent.

The Honda Civic ranks #2 for best resale value for compact cars. The Civic retains 75.5 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $19,817 for 5-year-old models. The Civic's resale value is 8.9 percent higher than the resale value average for compact cars.

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is the #3 ranked compact car with the best resale value. The Corolla Hatchback's resale value is 75.4 percent after 5 years with the average price for a 5-year old Corolla Hatchback being $20,365. Its resale value is 8.7 percent more than the average resale value for a compact car.

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What is the compact car with the best resale value?
  1. Honda Civic (hatchback)
  2. Honda Civic
  3. Toyota Corolla Hatchback
  4. Toyota GR Corolla
  5. Toyota Corolla
  6. Hyundai VELOSTER
  7. Subaru WRX
  8. Subaru Impreza
  9. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan
  10. Nissan Sentra
  11. Kia K4
  12. Kia Forte
  13. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback
  14. Hyundai ELANTRA
  15. Volkswagen Jetta
  16. Hyundai ELANTRA N
  17. Volkswagen Golf GTI
  18. Volkswagen Golf
  19. Volkswagen Golf R
  20. Volkswagen Jetta GLI
  21. Mitsubishi Mirage G4
Models not ranked yet

The Honda Civic (hatchback) has the best resale value among compact cars. The Civic retains 76.9 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $24,442 for 5-year-old models. The Civic's resale value puts it 10.2 percent above the resale value average for compact cars, which is 66.6 percent.

The Honda Civic ranks #2 for best resale value for compact cars. The Civic retains 75.5 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $19,817 for 5-year-old models. The Civic's resale value is 8.9 percent higher than the resale value average for compact cars.

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback is the #3 ranked compact car with the best resale value. The Corolla Hatchback's resale value is 75.4 percent after 5 years with the average price for a 5-year old Corolla Hatchback being $20,365. Its resale value is 8.7 percent more than the average resale value for a compact car.

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1. Honda Civic (hatchback)

#1 of 31 Best Small Cars #1 of 31 Most Reliable Small Cars #1 of 31 Safest Small Cars
  • 5-yr resale value 0.768644
  • Avg 5-yr old price: 24441.972389991373
  • Honda Civic for Sale
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
9.1 / 10
  • Reliability 8.3 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.9 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 27895 - 47395
USED PRICE 20446 - 46078
MPG 24 - 34 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 24.5 cu ft

2. Honda Civic

#1 of 31 Best Gas Mileage Small Cars #1 of 10 Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k #2 of 31 Small Cars with Best Resale Value
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.6 / 10
  • Reliability 8.0 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.9 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 24695 - 31495
USED PRICE 18990 - 29018
MPG 31 - 36 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 - 14.8 cu ft

3. Toyota Corolla Hatchback

#1 of 13 Most Affordable Hatchbacks #2 of 21 Hatchbacks with Best Resale Value #3 of 31 Small Cars with Best Resale Value
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.8 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 24780 - 27875
USED PRICE 17448 - 28012
MPG 33 - 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.8 cu ft

4. Toyota GR Corolla

#3 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower #3 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower #3 of 21 Hatchbacks with Best Resale Value
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.7 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 40520 - 48565
USED PRICE 33394 - 45989
MPG 22 - 24 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.8 cu ft

5. Toyota Corolla

#4 of 18 Most Affordable Compact Cars #4 of 10 Best Compact Cars Under $25k #4 of 10 Best Small Cars Under $25k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.3 / 10
  • Reliability 7.4 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.6 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 23325 - 29040
USED PRICE 15787 - 25990
MPG 34 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 13.1 cu ft
Last new model year: 2021

6. Hyundai VELOSTER

#1 of 9 Coupes with the Most Cargo Space #1 of 2 Best Korean Coupes #1 of 1 Best Coupes Under $20k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.8 / 10
  • Reliability 6.8 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.6 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 18900 - 28450
USED PRICE 9214 - 19033
MPG 28 - 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft

7. Subaru WRX

#1 of 4 Best Small Cars Under $35k #1 of 4 Most Reliable Small Cars Under $35k #2 of 23 Most Comfortable Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.3 / 10
  • Reliability 7.3 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.5 / 10
  • Safety 9.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 32495 - 45995
USED PRICE 21995 - 37042
MPG 21 - 22 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.5 cu ft
Last new model year: 2023

8. Subaru Impreza

#1 of 10 Best Small Cars Under $20k #1 of 10 Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k #1 of 4 Best Compact Cars Under $20k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.0 / 10
  • Reliability 7.4 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.5 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 19795 - 24595
USED PRICE 14703 - 23639
MPG 26 - 32 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.3 cu ft

9. Mazda Mazda3 Sedan

#1 of 21 Best Small Cars for the Money #1 of 10 Best Compact Cars Under $25k #1 of 10 Best Small Cars for Moms
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.7 / 10
  • Reliability 7.9 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.3 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 24650 - 36940
USED PRICE 16686 - 26997
MPG 27 - 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 13.2 cu ft

10. Nissan Sentra

#1 of 23 Most Comfortable Compact Cars #2 of 31 Most Comfortable Small Cars #3 of 18 Most Affordable Compact Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.9 / 10
  • Reliability 7.3 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.3 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 22890 - 27990
USED PRICE 14900 - 23589
MPG 32 - 33 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.3 cu ft

11. Kia K4

#1 of 18 Most Affordable Compact Cars #2 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #2 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.2 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 22290 - 28390
USED PRICE 18532 - 25990
MPG 28 - 33 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.6 cu ft
Last new model year: 2024

12. Kia Forte

#2 of 4 Most Reliable Compact Cars Under $20k #3 of 6 Best Korean Compact Cars #3 of 4 Best Compact Cars Under $20k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.4 / 10
  • Reliability 7.1 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.2 / 10
  • Safety 7.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 19990 - 25390
USED PRICE 12999 - 22961
MPG 26 - 32 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 15.3 cu ft

13. Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback

#1 of 31 Best Family Small Cars #1 of 23 Best Family Compact Cars #1 of 21 Best Family Hatchbacks
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.7 / 10
  • Reliability 8.0 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.2 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 25650 - 38090
USED PRICE 17995 - 30843
MPG 26 - 29 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 20.1 cu ft

14. Hyundai ELANTRA

#1 of 31 Best Small Cars for Tall People #1 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #1 of 23 Best Compact Cars for Tall People
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
8.4 / 10
  • Reliability 7.0 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.1 / 10
  • Safety 10 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 22825 - 29600
USED PRICE 15000 - 24649
MPG 31 - 35 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.2 cu ft

15. Volkswagen Jetta

#1 of 5 Best German Compact Cars #1 of 5 Best German Small Cars #3 of 10 Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.9 / 10
  • Reliability 7.6 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.1 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 23995 - 29995
USED PRICE 14995 - 24500
MPG 34 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 cu ft

16. Hyundai ELANTRA N

#2 of 31 Best Small Cars for Tall People #2 of 23 Best Compact Cars for Tall People #3 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Legroom
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.1 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 35300 - 40950
USED PRICE 23944 - 35497
MPG 23 - 24 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.2 cu ft

17. Volkswagen Golf GTI

#1 of 3 Best Hatchbacks Under $35k #1 of 3 Most Reliable Hatchbacks Under $35k #2 of 21 Best Family Hatchbacks
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.8 / 10
  • Reliability 7.3 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.0 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 34590 - 42480
USED PRICE 22397 - 36487
MPG 27 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft
Last new model year: 2021

18. Volkswagen Golf

#1 of 4 Best German Hatchbacks #1 of 3 Best Hatchbacks Under $25k #1 of 3 Most Reliable Hatchbacks Under $25k
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
7.9 / 10
  • Reliability 7.6 / 10
  • Value Retention 8.0 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 23195 - 23995
USED PRICE 12278 - 22727
MPG 32 - 33 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 17.4 cu ft

19. Volkswagen Golf R

#1 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Horsepower #1 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower #5 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Cargo Space
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 8.0 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 49455
USED PRICE 36240 - 50847
MPG 25 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 cu ft

20. Volkswagen Jetta GLI

#8 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #8 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #10 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Horsepower
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.9 / 10
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 33795
USED PRICE 18148 - 31594
MPG 29 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 14.1 cu ft
Last new model year: 2024

21. Mitsubishi Mirage G4

#9 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Legroom #9 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Legroom #10 of 23 Best Compact Cars for Tall People
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention 7.8 / 10
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 17795 - 19595
USED PRICE 8995 - 19115
MPG 37 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 12.4 cu ft

Kia K4 Hatchback

#1 of 31 Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space #1 of 23 Compact Cars with the Most Cargo Space #1 of 21 Hatchbacks with the Most Cargo Space
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention Coming soon
  • Safety 8.0 / 10
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 24990 - 28890
USED PRICE 23674 - 31884
MPG 28 - 30 mpg
CARGO VOLUME 22.2 cu ft

Toyota GRMN Corolla

#1 of 4 Best 2-seater Cars for Tall People #2 of 4 2-seater Cars with the Most Horsepower #3 of 4 Most Comfortable 2-seater Cars
iSEECARS SCORE

iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association

See how we rank these cars
Coming soon
  • Reliability Coming soon
  • Value Retention Coming soon
  • Safety Not Available
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NEW PRICE (MSRP) 64360
USED PRICE –
MPG –
CARGO VOLUME 36.6 cu ft

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How We Rank These Cars

iSeeCars analyzed over 3 million vehicles to calculate the resale value for each model after 5 years. The resale value for a given model is based on the difference between the new car MSRP and the equivalent 5 year-old used car price for the model.

Vehicles within a given category are sorted to show the models with the best resale values first. If two cars have the same resale values, then we break the tie by seeing which vehicle has the higher overall iSeeCars Score. Along with resale value, we show comprehensive iSeeCars ratings for each model, because we believe multiple factors should be taken into account when buyers are seeking the best overall vehicle. Two of these additional factors are reliability and safety, both of which are included in our ratings system.

The overall iSeeCars Score is an analysis of these three key factors: reliability, resale value and safety. It is calculated based on the latest research and analysis by our data science team. The data analysis comes from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with NHTSA and IIHS Safety Ratings.

Vehicles are scored in three categories:

Reliability

The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.

Value Retention

The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.

Safety

The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).