Cars That Hold Their Value Best (2026)
Which cars hold their value best?
The Honda Civic keeps 85% of its new price after three years, the most of the 78 models we compared. Affordable compact cars and pickups fill the top of the list. The typical model keeps 68%.
cars · November 9, 2026
Value kept by model, same trim vs. new
| Model | After 1 year | After 3 years | After 5 years | Typical 3-year-old ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | 92% | 85% | 72% | $24,500 |
| Toyota Corolla | 90% | 81% | 71% | $21,000 |
| Nissan Sentra | 86% | 79% | 72% | $19,500 |
| Honda HR-V | 89% | 79% | 65% | $23,500 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 86% | 79% | 71% | $37,000 |
| Honda CR-V Hybrid | 88% | 77% | – | $31,500 |
| Hyundai Elantra | 87% | 76% | 65% | $19,500 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 91% | 76% | 66% | $45,000 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 86% | 76% | 65% | $30,000 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 86% | 76% | 60% | $33,500 |
| GMC Canyon | 87% | 74% | 57% | $38,000 |
| Honda Accord Hybrid | 85% | 74% | 63% | $27,500 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 85% | 74% | 60% | $45,000 |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 88% | 74% | 66% | $59,000 |
| Toyota Camry | 88% | 73% | 64% | $26,000 |
What the top of the list has in common
Most are affordable compact cars and pickups: cars with steady demand from used buyers and long production runs. Luxury SUVs and sedans are missing from the top. Their buyers want the newest model, and their high new prices leave more room to fall.
See the cars that lose value fastest and car depreciation by year.
About the data
We compared asking prices for cars listed for sale in the U.S. on November 9, 2026, one listing per car. "New" is the median asking price of new 2026 models. For each older model year we used cars with about 12,000 miles a year for their age (for example 27,000–45,000 miles for a 2023). We compared every trim with the same trim new and averaged the trims, weighted by the number of cars, so a shift in trim mix does not look like depreciation. Typical asking prices in the tables are the median of all trims at that age.
This is a snapshot of today's prices by age, not one car followed over time. A car you buy now can lose value faster or slower, especially if a new generation arrives. Asking prices are before negotiation, taxes and fees. New cars often sell below sticker, so the real first-year loss can be smaller than shown. We left out modified cars and prices that were clearly not a full asking price.
Questions
Which cars hold their value best?
In our November 9, 2026 snapshot: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra. The Honda Civic keeps 85% of the same trim new after three years.
How much value does the typical car lose in three years?
The median model in our study keeps 68% of its new price after three years and 57% after five.
Cite this study
OttoQuest. Cars That Hold Their Value Best (2026). Published .
https://ottoquest.com/guides/cars-that-hold-their-value-best
Referencing these findings? Link to this study so readers can check its sample, dates and methodology.