Given the cost of new cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs averaged $47,148 in May 2022, consumers can’t be blamed for wanting a vehicle that retains more of its value than others, particularly for those who typically trade-in your vehicle every few years.
If you’re looking for vehicles that possess above-average residual value, Kelley Blue Book’s 20th Annual Best Resale Value Awards are a good place to start. KBB is one of the automotive industry’s used car valuation guides, and released its list of new car, trucks, minivans and SUVs projected to retain the highest percentage of their original price as used cars.
Some brands have better resale than others
But not all brands are created equal.
“New-car shoppers who buy from Toyota or its luxury-brand sibling Lexus — our 2022 Best Resale Value Brand winners — can rest assured that their vehicle should retain its value quite well over time,” said Janice Yoell, senior manager of valuations for Kelley Blue Book. “Toyota and Lexus, respectively, are the best vehicle brand and luxury brand for 2022 in terms of the highest average projected resale value across their full line-ups.”
For Toyota, 2022 marks its sixth year as the “Best Resale Value: Brand, and the third for Lexus as Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand.”
Yet of the 10 vehicles with the highest retained value, Ford tied Toyota for the number of vehicles in the Top 10 with three each. General Motors has two, with Stellantis and Tesla having one each.
Why it matters
Your vehicle’s value matters at trade-in time. Overall, KBB says the average 2022 model-year vehicle will retain 43% of its original value after a five-years, with 75,000 miles on the clock, and being in average condition.
This means your $45,000 new car will be worth $19,350 after five years. Opting for one of the vehicles in KBB’s Top 10, which are projected to have a retained value of 56% or more, means you’ll end up with a vehicle worth anywhere from $25,200 to $31,500 or more.
Keep in mind that market conditions affect resale value, as prices fluctuate with market demand. So these values are guides at best. Still, which vehicles are resale stars? Take a look.
2022 Top 10 Vehicles with the best resale value
1. Toyota Tundra — 70.2% ($38,950-$74,320)
2. GMC Sierra — 60.8% ($36,295-$80,395)
3. Toyota Tacoma — 60.6% ($27,150-$46,585)
4. Ford Maverick (tie) — 59.5% ($19,995-$25,860)
4. Chevrolet Corvette (tie) — 59.5% ($60,900-$72,850)
6. Toyota 4Runner — 58.6% ($38,105-$52,920)
7. Tesla Model X — 57.6% ($104-900-$126,490)
8. Ford F-Series — 57.3% ($38,545-$80,050)
9. Ford Ranger — 56.7% ($27,900-$39,465)
10. Jeep Gladiator — 56.1% ($36,085-$53,170)
Best resale value: SUVs
Subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek — 52.3% ($23,145-$36,345)
Compact SUV: Subaru Forester — 47.2% ($25,895-$35,995)
Midsize SUV (2-row): Subaru Outback — 45.2% ($27,645-$40,645)
Midsize SUV (3-row): Kia Telluride — 51.9% ($33,390-$45,190)
Full-size SUV: GMC Yukon — 47.2% ($51,600-$72,500)
Off-road SUV: Toyota 4Runner — 58.6% ($38,105-$52,920)
Best resale value: Luxury SUVs
Luxury subcompact SUV: Volvo XC40 — 39% ($34,100-$41,850)
Luxury compact SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLB — 41.1% ($38,600-$49,950)
Luxury midsize SUV (2-row): Land Rover Range Rover Velar — 36% ($57,200-$77,300)
Luxury midsize SUV (3-row): Lincoln Aviator — 41.5% ($51,780-$88,780)
Luxury full-size SUV: Lexus LX — 45.2% ($86,930-$91,930)
Best resale value: pickups, minivans
Compact pickup: Ford Maverick — 59.5% ($19,995-$25,860)
Midsize pickup truck: Toyota Tacoma — 61.7% ($27,150-$46,585)
Full-size pickup truck: Toyota Tundra — 70.2% ($38,950-$74,320)
Full-size heavy-duty pickup truck: GMC Sierra 2500 HD — 63% ($42,295-$67,195)
Minivan: Toyota Sienna — 50.3% ($35,285-$50,725)
Best resale value: EVs
Hybrid vehicle: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid — 50.1% ($29,575-$40,300)
Electric vehicle: Ford Mustang Mach-E — 37.9% ($43,895-$61,995)
Luxury electric vehicle: Tesla Model X — 57.6% ($104,990-$126,490)
Best resale value: Cars
Compact car: Honda Civic — 49.8% ($22,550-$29,150)
Midsize car: Honda Accord — 42.5% ($26,520-$38,450)
Sports car: Chevrolet Corvette — 59.5% ($60,900-$72,850)
Entry-level luxury car: Lexus IS — 39% ($39,125-$41,125)
Luxury car: Lexus LS — 35% ($76,100-$82,950)