CarResaleValue Research
The cars that lose the most money to depreciation
Depreciation is usually quoted as a percentage — but you pay it in dollars. Ranked by the actual money lost over five years, the picture changes: expensive vehicles dominate the top of the list, and a car that holds its value can cost you far less than a cheaper one that doesn't.
Key Findings
- The BMW X5 loses the most money of any model — about $37,350 over five years (51% of a ~$73,683 price).
- The average model loses $13,300 in five years, but the range runs from under $3,650 to over $37,350.
- Price isn't destiny: the Toyota Tacoma costs about $42,993 new yet loses only $5,900 — less than many cheaper cars — because it depreciates slowly (14%).
- Dollars lost is driven by both original price and depreciation rate, so an expensive car that holds value can cost you less than a mid-priced one that doesn't.
Dollar figures are a representative MSRP times the observed five-year depreciation rate. Read the methodology.
The money pit
The 12 biggest money-losers
Ranked by estimated dollars lost over five years — a mix of high price and depreciation rate.
| # | Model | 5-yr dollars lost | Depreciation | Avg new price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW X5 | $37,350 | 51% | $73,683 |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y | $28,700 | 52% | $55,568 |
| 3 | Tesla Model 3 | $27,150 | 51% | $53,605 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Tahoe | $24,600 | 36% | $68,194 |
| 5 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | $22,650 | 45% | $49,922 |
| 6 | BMW 3 Series | $22,250 | 44% | $51,057 |
| 7 | GMC Sierra 1500 | $19,300 | 32% | $61,041 |
| 8 | Ford Explorer | $18,050 | 39% | $45,717 |
| 9 | Ram 1500 | $17,650 | 33% | $53,944 |
| 10 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $17,350 | 30% | $58,753 |
| 11 | Dodge Charger | $17,200 | 37% | $46,284 |
| 12 | Hyundai Santa Fe | $16,150 | 43% | $37,672 |
Why price isn't destiny
Dollars lost is the original price multiplied by the depreciation rate — so two factors decide it, not one. An expensive vehicle that holds value can lose fewer dollars than a mid-priced one that craters: the Toyota Tacoma starts around $42,993 but loses only $5,900 thanks to a 14% rate. That is why the sticker price alone is a poor guide to what a car actually costs you.
When you compare vehicles, look at the dollar figure, not just the percentage or the price. It is the number that lands in your bank account when you sell.
The bargains
The cars that lose the least money
The smallest five-year dollar depreciation in our data.
| # | Model | 5-yr dollars lost | Depreciation | Avg new price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Corolla | $3,650 | 15% | $25,194 |
| 2 | Honda Civic | $3,950 | 14% | $27,718 |
| 3 | Kia Forte | $4,900 | 24% | $20,618 |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | $5,900 | 17% | $35,023 |
| 5 | Toyota Tacoma | $5,900 | 14% | $42,993 |
| 6 | Nissan Sentra | $6,100 | 26% | $23,232 |
| 7 | Toyota Camry | $6,550 | 22% | $30,093 |
| 8 | Subaru Crosstrek | $6,550 | 22% | $30,121 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which car loses the most money to depreciation?
In our 2026 data, the BMW X5 loses the most — about $37,350 over five years, or 51% of its roughly $73,683 original price. Dollar depreciation reflects both a high starting price and a fast depreciation rate, so the biggest dollar losers tend to be expensive vehicles that also don't hold value especially well.
Is a cheaper car always cheaper to own on depreciation?
Not necessarily. Dollars lost is the original price multiplied by the depreciation rate, so an expensive car that holds value can lose fewer dollars than a mid-priced car that depreciates fast. The Toyota Tacoma, at about $42,993 new, loses only $5,900. Compare the dollar figure, not just the sticker price, when you're weighing the true cost of ownership.
How is dollar depreciation calculated?
We multiply each model's representative original MSRP by its observed five-year depreciation rate, computed from mileage-adjusted used-car listings across 44 current-market models. It is a model-level estimate of the dollars a typical example loses in its first five years — a specific car's trim, options, mileage, and condition still move the figure.