Chances are that when you buy a new car, the resale value of that car a few years down the road does not figure prominently in the decision. After all, U.S. consumers keep their cars an average of more than 6.5 years because today’s vehicles are much more reliable.
At some point, however, a vehicle’s resale value does matter, whether you are trading it in for a new model or trying to sell it on your own. That’s when resale value really matters.
Researchers at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) have ranked the 2017 model year vehicles with the best resale value in 22 vehicle categories and also named the top 10 2017 cars with the best resale value. The rankings are based on a projected retained value through an initial five-year ownership period.
The top brands in this year’s rankings are Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM), placing four models in the top Value brand categories, and Porsche with three models among the top Luxury brand categories.
Other top ranking automakers include General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), which placed seven models in the 22 categories, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) with four model winners, and Subaru, also with four top-ranked models.
Here’s the list, by category:
- Subcompact car: Honda Fit
- Compact car: Subaru Impreza
- Sporty compact car: Subaru WRX
- Midsize car: Subaru Legacy
- Full-size car: Nissan Maxima
- Entry-level luxury car: Lexus RC
- Luxury car: Lexus GS
- High-end luxury car: Porsche Panamera
- Sports car: Porsche 718 Cayman
- High-performance car: Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) Mustang Shelby
- Hybrid/alternative-energy car: Honda Accord Hybrid
- Electric vehicle: Chevy Bolt EV
- Subcompact sport utility vehicle/crossover: Honda HR-V
- Compact SUV/crossover: Jeep Wrangler from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU)
- Midsize SUV/crossover: Toyota 4Runner
- Full-size SUV/crossover: Chevrolet Suburban
- Luxury compact SUV/crossover: Porsche Macan
- Luxury midsize SUV/crossover: Lexus RX
- Luxury full-size SUV/crossover: Lexus LX
- Midsize pickup truck: Toyota Tacoma
- Full-size pickup truck: Chevy Silverado HD
- Minivan: Toyota Sienna
According to KBB, Â an average 2017 model-year vehicle only will retain about 32.9%Â of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning that a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $16,450 after five years. While much of a vehicle’s resale value is based on supply and demand, as well as current and projected future market conditions, vehicles that retain their value best are typically discounted the least and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest.
Here’s KBB’s list of the top 10 models based on resale value. We’ve included the vehicle’s resale value at 60 months as a percentage of the purchase price.
- Toyota Tacoma: 58.4%
- Toyota 4Runner: 54.5%
- Chevy Silverado: 52.2%
- Jeep Wrangler: 51.1%
- Toyota Tundra: 49%
- Chevy Colorado: 48.1%
- Honda Ridgeline: 47.6%
- GMC Sierra: 47.5%
- GMC Canyon: 47.2%
- Subaru WRX: 45.4%
For more details on the awards, visit the KBB website.
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