Best Cars to Buy If Resale Value Matters
If resale value matters in the US, which cars should you consider? Trucks, Toyota/Honda, and high-demand models—and how to compare.
If resale value matters to you in the U.S.—you plan to sell or trade in a few years—certain cars hold value better than others. Here's how to think about "best cars for resale" and how to compare.
TL;DR Trucks, Toyota and Honda, and high-demand models (e.g., some hybrids, 4Runner, Wrangler) often hold value best. Compare using depreciation and total cost of ownership—not just sticker. Use autopremo.com and total cost of ownership to see which cars make sense for resale.Why Resale Value Matters
When you sell or trade in, you get back whatever the car is worth. The higher the resale value, the lower your net cost of ownership (what you paid minus what you get back). So if resale matters—you're not "driving it until it dies"—you want a car that holds value well. That usually means lower depreciation over 3–5 years.
See depreciation for any car at autopremo.com.Types of Cars That Typically Hold Value Best (US)
Full-size pickups
Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra—often retain 50–60%+ of value after 5 years. Demand is high; supply is limited in some markets. So they tend to be among the best for resale.
Toyota and Honda (mainstream)
Camry, Corolla, RAV4, CR-V, Accord, Civic—reliability and demand support resale. Often 50–55%+ retained after 5 years. Not every trim or year is equal—check specific model with autopremo.com.
Body-on-frame SUVs
Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler—strong demand and long product cycles. Often hold value very well.
High-demand hybrids
Toyota Prius, RAV4 Hybrid, and similar—fuel economy and reliability support demand. Resale can be strong. Check specific model and year.
Niche and limited supply
Some sports cars, limited editions, or enthusiast models—limited supply can support resale. Depends on model and market.
Compare depreciation across models at autopremo.com.How to Compare When Resale Matters
1. Use depreciation data
Check projected depreciation for the exact model and year you're considering. Use autopremo.com depreciation calculator. See value at 3, 5, or 7 years. Compare across models.
2. Use total cost of ownership
Total cost = purchase/loan + depreciation + fuel + insurance + maintenance over your ownership period. A car with strong resale has lower depreciation cost—so total cost can be lower even if the sticker is higher. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership to compare.
3. Don't overpay for "resale"
A car that holds value well is only a good deal if you're not overpaying upfront. Compare purchase price to market (comps, OTD) with autopremo.com price checker. Resale helps total cost—it doesn't justify overpaying today.
See depreciation, total cost, and fair price at autopremo.com.Your Resale-Value Checklist
- [ ] Resale/depreciation checked for the exact model and year—use autopremo.com
- [ ] Total cost of ownership compared (including depreciation)—use autopremo.com
- [ ] Purchase price compared to market—don't overpay—use autopremo.com price checker
- [ ] Plan: when you'll sell or trade; use depreciation to see value at that point
Bottom Line
If resale value matters, focus on trucks, Toyota/Honda, and high-demand models that hold value well. Compare using depreciation and total cost of ownership—not just sticker. Use autopremo.com to see which cars hold value and how that affects what you pay over time—and don't overpay upfront for "resale."