Top 10 vehicles that retain their value the best.

Top 10 vehicles that retain their value the best.

Vehicle Comparisons

Published by fdiamond on December 5, 2022

When shopping for a used vehicle, several questions arise depending on the segment you're interested in:

Which one offers the best fuel efficiency?Which one has the best towing capacity?Which one has the largest cargo volume?Which one will be the cheapest to maintain?Which one is the fastest?But if there's one question that everyone asks, regardless of the segment, it's "which one retains its resale value the best?" Fortunately, there is data available on this subject. For example, the website iseecars.com has analyzed over three million transactions and has provided insights into the depreciation of the most popular vehicles after a period of 5 years.

To help you make the best choice when buying your next used car, here is the Top 10 list of vehicles that retain their value the best. And for the curious, you'll also find the cars that depreciate the most at the end of the article. As a reference, the industry average depreciation is 33%.

#10 Subaru Crosstrek (-20.7%)

On average, the Subaru Crosstrek has lost slightly less than 21% of its value after 5 years. This represents $5,929. What can explain this low depreciation? Firstly, the Crosstrek is not a vehicle produced in massive quantities like the Honda Civic, for example, which creates a certain rarity in the used car market. Secondly, the used Subaru Crosstrek is attractive for several reasons; it is relatively reliable, offers all-wheel drive, and is spacious thanks to its hatchback format. Limited supply and attractive features contribute to its value retention!


#9 Chevrolet Camaro (-20,2%)

On average, the Chevrolet Camaro has lost just over 20% of its value after 5 years. This represents $10,848. What can explain the low depreciation of the Camaro? It's worth mentioning that the pandemic played a role, as the value of sports cars significantly increased during the lockdown. People were looking for a way to have fun and escape, and it's understandable. However, it will be interesting to see if sports cars like the used Camaro can maintain such low depreciation in the coming years. According to experts at iseecars.com, as of now, they still hold their value well. That's good news!


#8 Nissan Versa (-19,9%)

On average, the Nissan Versa has lost slightly less than 20% of its value after 5 years. This represents $4,326. What can explain the low depreciation of the Nissan Versa? Once again, the effects of the pandemic have certainly played a role. When the price of gasoline exceeds $2/L, small economy subcompacts suddenly become more attractive. With its fuel efficiency of 5.9L/100 km and a new selling price under $20,000, the used Nissan Versa is a logical choice for those on smaller budgets.


#7 Toyota Corolla (-19,8%)

On average, the Toyota Corolla has lost 19.8% of its value after 5 years. That represents $6,275. What can explain the low depreciation of the Toyota Corolla? It's the same principle as the Nissan Versa but on a compact car scale. Excellent fuel economy, very good reliability, low maintenance costs, and an affordable new purchase price are four reasons why the used Toyota Corolla is one of the vehicles that retains its value best on the market.


#6 Ford Mustang (-19,4%)

The average Ford Mustang has lost 19.4% of its value after 5 years. This represents $10,232. What can explain the low depreciation of the Ford Mustang? Like the Camaro in 9th place, the Ford Mustang was able to rely on certain effects of the pandemic to maintain its value. It also serves as an excellent way to have fun and escape, in addition to being a symbol or even a dream for a certain segment of the population. Demographics also play in its favor. For those who are shopping for a retirement gift, take note, the used Ford Mustang is one of the cars that retains its resale value the best!


#5 Subaru BRZ (-18,2%)

On average, the Subaru BRZ has lost 18.2% of its value after 5 years. That represents $8,135. What can explain the low depreciation of the Subaru BRZ? Six words: fun, exciting, charming, sporty, desirable, and rare. Those who have driven one will understand. For the others, let's just say that the BRZ is simply a toy that adults can afford without breaking the bank. Many compare it to a mini Porsche 718 Cayman, and the comparison isn't far-fetched! It's also very fuel-efficient compared to other sports cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro mentioned above. With so many qualities, it's not surprising that the used Subaru BRZ ranks in the Top 5 vehicles that retain their value the best.


#4 Honda Civic (-16,3%)

On average, the Honda Civic has lost 16.3% of its value after 5 years. That represents $5,759. What can explain the low depreciation of the Honda Civic? Certainly not its rarity, as it has been the best-selling car in Canada for over 10 years! However, with the arrival of a new generation of Civic in 2022, sold at a higher retail price, it's not surprising that some of the demand has shifted to the used car market. But ultimately, what makes the Civic so in demand is its legendary reliability, low maintenance costs, and the driving pleasure it offers. That's why the used Honda Civic is among the vehicles that retain their resale value the best.


#3 Toyota Tacoma (-14,9%)

On average, the Toyota Tacoma has lost 14.9% of its value after 5 years. That represents $8,055. What can explain the low depreciation of the Toyota Tacoma? Two words: rarity and reliability. Have you ever tried to find a used Toyota Tacoma for sale? It's extremely rare! And it's not because Toyota doesn't sell many new Tacomas; it's the most popular truck in its segment for a long time! In fact, if the used Toyota Tacoma has such good resale value, it's because Tacoma owners often keep their trucks for more than a decade, and then they buy another one! You can't blame them because in terms of reliability, the Toyota Tacoma is a true tank.


#2 Porsche 911 (-14,6%)

On average, the Porsche 911 has lost 14.6% of its value after 5 years. This represents $28,047. What can explain the low depreciation of the Porsche 911? Part of the answer is its rarity, but unlike other rare luxury cars, the 911 is also extremely reliable. In fact, it often ranks at the top of various reliability rankings across all vehicle segments. The rarity and reliability of the used Porsche 911 are the two main reasons why it is among the vehicles that retain their resale value the best.


#1 Jeep Wrangler (-7,3%)

The Jeep Wrangler has, on average, lost only 7.3% of its value after 5 years. This represents $3,209. What can explain its low depreciation? The Jeep Wrangler is in a league of its own. It's the ultimate off-road vehicle, and its timeless style sets it apart, much like the Porsche 911. However, unlike the 911, the Jeep Wrangler doesn't have a reputation for flawless reliability. Nevertheless, those who own one love it, and despite its maintenance costs, they wouldn't part with it. After all, except for Jeep Wranglers, which other owners of similar vehicles wave at each other when they pass on the road? None. Thanks to this dedicated community, the used Jeep Wrangler is a true resale value superhero.


The vehicles that lose the most value.

Curious readers among you will say that such a ranking would not be complete without a word on the vehicles that lose the most value... And you're right! So here's the Top 3 of the vehicles that have depreciated the most during their first 5 years of life. Ouch!

#1 BMW 7 Series: -56.9%, ($84,169 in depreciation)


#2 Maserati Ghibli: -56.3%, ($69,550 in depreciation)


#3 Jaguar XF: -54%, ($49,043 in depreciation)


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