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2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: TOP 10 CARS
(alphabetical order)
Chevrolet Corvette
Ford Maverick
Ford Ranger
Mercedes Benz G-Class
Porsche 911
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota GR Supra
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tundra
Full announcement:
Kelley Blue Book Announces 2026 Best Resale Value Award Winners
ATLANTA, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- While most new-car shoppers understand that their vehicle will lose value over time, many would be shocked to learn that depreciation can be the single largest expense they will incur. Beyond that, the extent to which one car's resale value can vary in comparison to another can be staggering, often making the difference of hundreds-to-thousands of dollars over the first years of ownership. To help new-car buyers understand the importance of resale value so they can shop smart, Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand, today announces the 2026 model-year brand, category and top 10 winners of the 24th annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period.
"For the sixth consecutive year, Toyota holds the top spot for Best Resale Value Brand, along with its sister company Lexus winning Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand for the fifth consecutive year," said Rheia Szymczyk, senior manager, valuation and analysis operations for Kelley Blue Book. "Toyota and Lexus continue to reign supreme with top average residual values, meaning their vehicles are projected to retain more of their original MSRP over the first five years of ownership in comparison to other mainstream and luxury brand averages, respectively. Kelley Blue Book's 2026 Best Resale Value: Brand winner Toyota boasts an overall resale value average of 53%, while the Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand winner Lexus features an overall resale value average of 47%."
This year marks the 10th Best Resale Value: Brand win for Toyota, which previously captured the same honors in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. For 2026, Lexus celebrates its fifth consecutive win, and seventh time overall taking home the award for Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand.
(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the 2026 model-year vehicles that appear in the January/February 2026 Kelley Blue Book® Residual Value Guide. Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order).
Many new-car buyers do not realize that depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership. An average 2026 model-year vehicle will only retain about 45% of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $22,500 after five years. In comparison, all vehicles in Kelley Blue Book's Top 10 for Best Resale Value in 2026 are projected to retain around 55% or more of their MSRP after the initial five-year ownership period.
Resale value for new vehicles can vary greatly. Vehicles with average or below-average resale values generally are plentiful in the marketplace and easy to find, but certain vehicles are projected to hold their value better than others. 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 typically are discounted the least and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest.
Now in its 24th year, Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review the output from statistical models built upon millions of transactions. Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards. Low-volume vehicles are excluded from award consideration, except in the electric, luxury and sports car categories.
Residual values reflect projected future auction values for vehicles in average condition with 75,000 miles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period. Kelley Blue Book's residual values are used by manufacturers, banks, financial institutions and the automotive leasing industry. For more information about Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards, visit https://www.kbb.com/awards/best-resale-value-cars-trucks-suvs.
(alphabetical order)
Chevrolet Corvette
Ford Maverick
Ford Ranger
Mercedes Benz G-Class
Porsche 911
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota GR Supra
Toyota Sienna
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tundra
| 2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: BY VEHICLE CATEGORY | |
| COMPACT CAR: Honda Civic | OFF-ROAD SUV: Toyota 4Runner |
| MIDSIZE CAR: Toyota Camry | SUBCOMPACT SUV: Honda HR-V |
| SPORTS CAR: Toyota GR Supra | COMPACT SUV: Honda CR-V |
| MINIVAN: Toyota Sienna | MIDSIZE SUV: Toyota Grand Highlander |
| LUXURY COMPACT CAR: Acura Integra | FULL-SIZE SUV: Toyota Sequoia |
| LUXURY MIDSIZE CAR: Mercedes-Benz E-Class | LUXURY SUBCOMPACT SUV: Lexus UX |
| HYBRID: Toyota Prius | LUXURY COMPACT SUV: Lexus NX |
| ELECTRIC CAR: Tesla Model 3 | LUXURY MIDSIZE SUV: Lexus RX |
| LUXURY ELECTRIC CAR: Porsche Taycan | LUXURY FULL-SIZE SUV: Mercedes-Benz G-Class |
| ELECTRIC SUV: Rivian R1S | COMPACT PICKUP TRUCK: Ford Maverick |
| LUXURY ELECTRIC SUV: Cadillac VISTIQ | MIDSIZE PICKUP TRUCK: Toyota Tacoma |
| ELECTRIC TRUCK: Rivian R1T | FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK: Toyota Tundra |
| 2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: BRAND |
| Toyota 2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: LUXURY BRAND Lexus |
Full announcement:
Kelley Blue Book Announces 2026 Best Resale Value Award Winners
ATLANTA, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- While most new-car shoppers understand that their vehicle will lose value over time, many would be shocked to learn that depreciation can be the single largest expense they will incur. Beyond that, the extent to which one car's resale value can vary in comparison to another can be staggering, often making the difference of hundreds-to-thousands of dollars over the first years of ownership. To help new-car buyers understand the importance of resale value so they can shop smart, Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand, today announces the 2026 model-year brand, category and top 10 winners of the 24th annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period.
"For the sixth consecutive year, Toyota holds the top spot for Best Resale Value Brand, along with its sister company Lexus winning Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand for the fifth consecutive year," said Rheia Szymczyk, senior manager, valuation and analysis operations for Kelley Blue Book. "Toyota and Lexus continue to reign supreme with top average residual values, meaning their vehicles are projected to retain more of their original MSRP over the first five years of ownership in comparison to other mainstream and luxury brand averages, respectively. Kelley Blue Book's 2026 Best Resale Value: Brand winner Toyota boasts an overall resale value average of 53%, while the Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand winner Lexus features an overall resale value average of 47%."
This year marks the 10th Best Resale Value: Brand win for Toyota, which previously captured the same honors in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. For 2026, Lexus celebrates its fifth consecutive win, and seventh time overall taking home the award for Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand.
| 2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: BRAND |
| Toyota 2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: LUXURY BRAND Lexus |
| 2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: BY VEHICLE CATEGORY | |
| COMPACT CAR: Honda Civic | OFF-ROAD SUV: Toyota 4Runner |
| MIDSIZE CAR: Toyota Camry | SUBCOMPACT SUV: Honda HR-V |
| SPORTS CAR: Toyota GR Supra | COMPACT SUV: Honda CR-V |
| MINIVAN: Toyota Sienna | MIDSIZE SUV: Toyota Grand Highlander |
| LUXURY COMPACT CAR: Acura Integra | FULL-SIZE SUV: Toyota Sequoia |
| LUXURY MIDSIZE CAR: Mercedes-Benz E-Class | LUXURY SUBCOMPACT SUV: Lexus UX |
| HYBRID: Toyota Prius | LUXURY COMPACT SUV: Lexus NX |
| ELECTRIC CAR: Tesla Model 3 | LUXURY MIDSIZE SUV: Lexus RX |
| LUXURY ELECTRIC CAR: Porsche Taycan | LUXURY FULL-SIZE SUV: Mercedes-Benz G-Class |
| ELECTRIC SUV: Rivian R1S | COMPACT PICKUP TRUCK: Ford Maverick |
| LUXURY ELECTRIC SUV: Cadillac VISTIQ | MIDSIZE PICKUP TRUCK: Toyota Tacoma |
| ELECTRIC TRUCK: Rivian R1T | FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK: Toyota Tundra |
| 2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: TOP 10 CARS | |
| Chevrolet Corvette | Toyota 4Runner |
| Ford Maverick | Toyota GR Supra |
| Ford Ranger | Toyota Sienna |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Toyota Tacoma |
| Porsche 911 | Toyota Tundra |
(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the 2026 model-year vehicles that appear in the January/February 2026 Kelley Blue Book® Residual Value Guide. Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order).
Many new-car buyers do not realize that depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership. An average 2026 model-year vehicle will only retain about 45% of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $22,500 after five years. In comparison, all vehicles in Kelley Blue Book's Top 10 for Best Resale Value in 2026 are projected to retain around 55% or more of their MSRP after the initial five-year ownership period.
Resale value for new vehicles can vary greatly. Vehicles with average or below-average resale values generally are plentiful in the marketplace and easy to find, but certain vehicles are projected to hold their value better than others. 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 typically are discounted the least and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest.
Now in its 24th year, Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book® Official Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review the output from statistical models built upon millions of transactions. Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards. Low-volume vehicles are excluded from award consideration, except in the electric, luxury and sports car categories.
Residual values reflect projected future auction values for vehicles in average condition with 75,000 miles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period. Kelley Blue Book's residual values are used by manufacturers, banks, financial institutions and the automotive leasing industry. For more information about Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards, visit https://www.kbb.com/awards/best-resale-value-cars-trucks-suvs.
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Hoping to get a 2025 lease return in 2-3 years but if the cost delta isn't significant enough, might just buy a new one.
