Best resale value cars in 2026

The Toyota Tacoma ranks first in the current CarResaleValue dataset with a resale score of 85.2 out of 100. That means our smoothed model estimates it retains about 85.2% of its original value after five years, based on 1,574 observed used-car listings across 12 model years. Trim, mileage, condition, options, and local demand can still move the value of an individual vehicle above or below this model-level result.

The resale score is the percentage of original value a model is estimated to retain after five years. We calculate mileage-adjusted depreciation from observed used-car listings, fit a smoothed retention curve, and subtract the resulting five-year depreciation percentage from 100. A score of 80 therefore means the model is estimated to retain 80% of its original value and lose 20%. The score is not a reliability rating, review score, or prediction of a specific VIN's selling price.

Used-car prices change with supply, incentives, interest rates, and broader market conditions. Comparing a model observed in 2021 directly with one observed in 2026 would treat two different markets as though they were the same competition. We keep all 150 models available, but the numbered ranking only includes vehicles from the latest observation cycle that also have a valid five-year cohort. Historical snapshots remain useful for research when their observation date is kept visible.