
Best Resale Value Luxury Small Cars for 2026
The best resale value luxury small cars are determined based on analyzing over 3 million vehicles to calculate how much each luxury small car model depreciates after 5 years.
The Lexus RC 300 has the best resale value among luxury small cars. The RC 300 retains 73.8 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $32,397 for 5-year-old models. The RC 300's resale value puts it 16.2 percent above the resale value average for luxury small cars, which is 57.5 percent.
The Lexus RC 350 ranks #2 for best resale value for luxury small cars. The RC 350 retains 73 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $37,211 for 5-year-old models. The RC 350's resale value is 15.4 percent higher than the resale value average for luxury small cars.
The Lexus IS 350 is the #3 ranked luxury small car with the best resale value. The IS 350's resale value is 67.9 percent after 5 years with the average price for a 5-year old IS 350 being $36,645. Its resale value is 10.3 percent more than the average resale value for a luxury small car.
The Lexus RC 300 has the best resale value among luxury small cars. The RC 300 retains 73.8 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $32,397 for 5-year-old models. The RC 300's resale value puts it 16.2 percent above the resale value average for luxury small cars, which is 57.5 percent.
The Lexus RC 350 ranks #2 for best resale value for luxury small cars. The RC 350 retains 73 percent of its value after 5 years, with an average price of $37,211 for 5-year-old models. The RC 350's resale value is 15.4 percent higher than the resale value average for luxury small cars.
The Lexus IS 350 is the #3 ranked luxury small car with the best resale value. The IS 350's resale value is 67.9 percent after 5 years with the average price for a 5-year old IS 350 being $36,645. Its resale value is 10.3 percent more than the average resale value for a luxury small car.
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5-yr resale value 0.73779
- Avg 5-yr old price: 32396.741379310344
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
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Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.9 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.729919
- Avg 5-yr old price: 37211.245614035084
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-
Reliability 8.770349736293557 / 10
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Value Retention 8.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.678786
- Avg 5-yr old price: 36645.490221642765
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
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Reliability 8.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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5-yr resale value 0.675215
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
5. Audi A5 (coupe)
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5-yr resale value 0.661328
- Avg 5-yr old price: 29292.777777777777
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
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Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.65691
- Avg 5-yr old price: 29887.962174940898
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-
Reliability 8.7 / 10
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Value Retention 8.4 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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5-yr resale value 0.635625
- Avg 5-yr old price: 35073.13157894737
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-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 8.3 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.63319
- Avg 5-yr old price: 22383.81818181818
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
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Reliability 8.912127220952836 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
9. Mercedes-Benz C-Class (coupe)
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5-yr resale value 0.630085
- Avg 5-yr old price: 38614.1103202847
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-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.622633
- Avg 5-yr old price: 33668.666666666664
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.2 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.613382
- Avg 5-yr old price: 25937.675247524752
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 8.1 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.597536
- Avg 5-yr old price: 32033.844247787612
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-
Reliability 7.1 / 10
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Value Retention 8.0 / 10
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Safety Not Available
13. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
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5-yr resale value 0.581339
- Avg 5-yr old price: 24807.508771929824
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.9 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.580571
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.9 / 10
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Safety 9.0 / 10
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5-yr resale value 0.579842
- Avg 5-yr old price: 28340.135193133046
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-
Reliability 7.3 / 10
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Value Retention 7.9 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.9 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.559744
- Avg 5-yr old price: 25683.42485549133
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.558402
- Avg 5-yr old price: 78586.1767955801
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.8 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.532073
- Avg 5-yr old price: 39337.72649572649
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.531585
- Avg 5-yr old price: 27764.961057023644
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-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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-
Reliability 7.0 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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-
Reliability 6.9 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.528228
- Avg 5-yr old price: 54881.2972972973
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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-
Reliability 6.6 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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-
Reliability 7.5 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.522245
- Avg 5-yr old price: 27313.151754819573
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-
Reliability 7.2 / 10
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Value Retention 7.6 / 10
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Safety 10 / 10
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5-yr resale value 0.516728
- Avg 5-yr old price: 23439.121076233183
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-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 7.5 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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-
Reliability 7.6 / 10
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Value Retention 7.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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5-yr resale value 0.509418
- Avg 5-yr old price: 27633.276
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
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-
Reliability 7.4 / 10
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Value Retention 7.5 / 10
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Safety 8.0 / 10
33. INFINITI Q50
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5-yr resale value 0.498363
- Avg 5-yr old price: 25266.58273381295
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-
Reliability 7.3 / 10
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Value Retention 7.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.495088
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-
Reliability 6.9 / 10
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Value Retention 7.4 / 10
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Safety Not Available
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5-yr resale value 0.485697
- Avg 5-yr old price: 23349.61918604651
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-
Reliability Coming soon
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Value Retention 7.3 / 10
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Safety Not Available
Related Rankings
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).


































