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Depreciation is the quiet budget killer in car ownership. A new car can lose thousands the moment it leaves the lot, and over five years the gap between a model that holds value and one that doesn’t can be the price of a decent used car. That’s why shoppers hunting for cars with the lowest depreciation aren’t being fussy; they’re protecting the second-biggest purchase most people make.
A widely cited iSeeCars five-year study puts the Porsche 911 at the top with just 9.3% average depreciation. The Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Wrangler, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla all land under 22%, which is remarkable when the average new vehicle loses around 38% of its value over the same period.
Those numbers aren’t guarantees. They’re averages, and they shift with mileage, condition, region, fuel prices and whatever the market is doing. But they point to a useful truth: certain cars have reputations and demand that keep resale values strong.
What low depreciation actually means
Depreciation is the difference between what you pay and what the car is worth later. A car with a 20% five-year depreciation rate retains 80% of its original value; one at 50% keeps half. Lenders and leasing companies call this residual value, and it’s why some cars lease for less than others even when the sticker prices are similar.
Don’t confuse low depreciation with low cost. A Porsche 911 may lose only 9% of its value, but 9% of $130,000 is still a big number. A $24,000 Civic losing 21.5% costs about $5,200. The Porsche’s dollar loss is far larger even though its percentage loss is smaller. Percentage matters for bragging rights; dollars matter for your bank account.
The cars with the lowest depreciation
These are the standouts from five-year depreciation data, plus a few honorable mentions that consistently attract strong resale interest.
Porsche 911 — 9.3% over five years
Few cars defy depreciation like the 911. Enthusiast demand, a long production history and a reputation for durability keep values high. The catch is the entry price and maintenance bills, which can turn a low percentage loss into a hefty cash outlay.
Toyota Tacoma — 20.4%
Mid-size pickups have a cult following, and the Tacoma is the default choice for buyers who want a truck that lasts. Used examples command strong money, especially off-road trims. A well-kept TRD Off-Road can sell for close to what a new one cost a few years ago in some markets.
Jeep Wrangler — 20.8%
Wranglers are toys and tools at once. The removable top, off-road ability and huge aftermarket keep demand steady. Fuel economy is poor and ride quality is old-school, but resale is excellent.
Toyota Tundra — 21.2%
Full-size trucks hold value, and the Tundra’s reliability record helps. It’s thirsty and less modern than some rivals, but buyers trust it, and that trust shows up in used prices.
Honda Civic — 21.5%
The Civic is the sensible pick. It’s cheap to run, easy to insure and has a deep pool of buyers. Manual Sport and Si models can do even better because enthusiasts want them. If you’re buying your first car, a Civic or Corolla can help you avoid a steep first-year hit; our guide to the best cars for first-time buyers explains why cheap upfront isn’t always cheap overall.
Subaru BRZ — 21.6%
An affordable rear-wheel-drive sports car with a cult following. Low production numbers and enthusiast demand keep used prices firm, even though the back seat is tiny and the cabin is noisy.
Toyota Corolla — 21.9%
Not exciting, but dependable. The Corolla’s resale strength is a direct result of its reputation for low running costs and long service life. It’s the car you buy when you want transportation, not a personality.
Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster — 17.6% and 22.0%
Mid-engine Porsches aren’t cheap, but they hold value well. The Cayman coupe does slightly better than the Boxster convertible, which makes sense: track-day buyers prefer the fixed roof.
Chevrolet Camaro — 22.3%
Sports coupes often drop fast, but the Camaro’s strong V8 trims and end-of-production scarcity have helped. Four-cylinder rental-spec cars are a different story.
Why these cars hold their value
There’s no single formula, but the same forces show up again and again.
- Reliability reputation: Toyota and Honda benefit from decades of dependable family cars. Buyers pay a premium for that peace of mind.
- Enthusiast demand: The 911, BRZ, Wrangler and Camaro SS have fans who want a specific car, not just any transport.
- Utility: Trucks and off-roaders do jobs that sedans can’t. Work and play demand keeps prices up.
- Limited supply: Low-volume sports cars and special trims can appreciate if production stops.
- Affordable running costs: Civics and Corollas are cheap to fuel, insure and repair, which widens the buyer pool.
Where electric cars fit — and why most don’t make this list
EVs are brilliant at many things, but low depreciation is usually not one of them. Battery tech improves quickly, tax credits distort prices, and buyers worry about range and battery health. A three-year-old EV can be a steal, but it’s rarely a value-holding asset.
A few niche models with strong badges or limited supply do better, but the category average is worse than gas cars. If you want an EV on a budget, the cheapest electric cars you can actually buy in 2025 are worth a look. Just go in expecting a faster depreciation curve.
How to shop for a low-depreciation car
Start with three-to-five-year resale data, not the window sticker. Then use these filters:
- Choose popular colors. White, black, gray and silver are safest. A bright green sports car can be charming, but it narrows the buyer pool at resale.
- Avoid option-heavy trims. Big wheels, panoramic roofs and premium audio add little at trade-in time. Enthusiast packages are the exception: a Civic Si or Tacoma TRD Pro can buck the rule.
- Check the maintenance record. A stack of dealer invoices won’t add thousands, but a missing history can cost you at sale time.
- Don’t modify it. Suspension lifts, loud exhausts and aftermarket wheels shrink the buyer pool. Keep the original parts.
- Consider a lightly used example. Letting the first owner absorb the steepest drop can be smarter than chasing the lowest percentage loss on a new car.
The low-depreciation trap
Low depreciation can tempt you into overpaying. A three-year-old Tacoma with 60,000 miles might be priced so close to new that financing a new one makes more sense, especially with better rates. Run the numbers on total cost, not just resale percentage.
Factor in insurance, fuel, tires and maintenance. A Wrangler may hold value, but it drinks fuel and can be expensive to insure. A Civic may depreciate a little more but cost far less to own. Then there’s the time factor: five-year numbers assume you sell at five years. Keep a car for 10 years and depreciation spreads out; sudden drops matter less. The cheapest car is often the one you keep.
A smarter way to think about resale
Before you sign, ask three questions: What will this car likely be worth in three years? Who will buy it from me? And can I live with the running costs? If the answers are vague, keep shopping.
The best cars with the lowest depreciation aren’t just statistical winners. They’re vehicles people actually want to own twice. That’s the real test, and it’s a lot more useful than a glossy brochure.
