Used vehicle prices remain at an all-time high. Some reasons may be related to disruptions in automotive supply chains, making new vehicles hard to get. This, in turn, drives up the price of available used cars due to increased demand. However, some vehicles just simply hold on to their value better than others for various reasons.  

Recently, iSeeCars analyzed over three million three and five-year-old used cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in 2022 and determined the average five-year-old car lost only 33.3% of its value from MSRP. However, several cars held on to more of their value and, in some cases, lost less than 10% of their original MSRP. Using iSeeCars’ data, we put together this list of five cars that held their value best.    

The Jeep Wrangler off-road SUV

Five-Year Depreciation: 7.3%

The Jeep Wrangler off-road SUV model is iconic for its rugged looks and off-road capability. You can wheel one out of the dealer’s lot and immediately head to your favorite offroad trail, stopping only to pick up lunch. Part of its appeal is the notion you can go anywhere in it. Yet it’s also been tamed for city use, where the only hazard people traverse is the occasional pothole. 

The Wrangler’s resale value has always been high because of its adaptability and the image it projects. However, its value has been unusually high in the last few years, depreciating only 7.3% in five years, according to iSeeCars. It seems the desire to roam has increased significantly after the pandemic, and the Jeep remains a symbol of that lifestyle.    

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited off-road SUV

Five-Year Depreciation: 8.7%

Everything said about the Jeep Wrangler SUV can be applied to the Wrangler Unlimited, except the Unlimited model has four doors. It’s a go-anywhere vehicle tamed for city use. Off-road, it’s a mountain goat and will take you just about anywhere in the world. Plus, with the extra wheelbase and two extra doors, you can carry more things anywhere in the world. It will better accommodate a pair of rear-facing car seats or two comfortably seat two full-sized adults. 

Like the regular Wrangler, the Unlimited’s resale is almost ridiculously high, depreciating only 8.7% over five years. 

The Porsche 911 sports car

Five-Year Depreciation: 14.6%

For the Porsche faithful, there is no substitute for a 911 sports car. Judging by the 14.6% depreciation rate, many other people agree. 

Porsche has been stuffing a flat six-cylinder engine in the wrong end of its iconic sports car since 1965. The rear-engined layout shared with the original VW Beetle seems unlikely to work. However, it does work incredibly well. Porsche has spent over 70 years refining the rear-engine layout, starting with the original 356, and has mastered it. Few cars offer the 911’s blend of driving dynamics with a level of comfort and practicality, making it a vehicle you can drive every day. 

The Toyota Tacoma midsize truck

Five-Year Depreciation: 14.9%

The success of the Toyota Tacoma midsize truck lies in the fact it is the right size for most people. It’s not too large to park in a standard parking space. Still, it’s big enough to hall a full-sized payload or tow up to 6,800 lbs. It’s also available in multiple body configurations with a multitude of engine and drivetrain options. It’s impressively versatile.   

It’s also very durable and surprisingly capable off-road, which may be why it holds its value so well. That combination, along with the Tacoma’s size and features, has led to a very loyal following of owners.  

The Honda Civic compact sedan

Five-Year Depreciation: 16.3%

If you want a great small car that’s entertaining to drive and practical to own, the Honda Civic compact sedan should be at the top of the list. No matter your budget, there’s a Civic to fit it, from the base model to the rabid Civic Type R performance hatchback.  

Like the other vehicles on this list, the Civic does everything well and has garnered a large following. As a result, it rounds out the top five list of cars with a very high resale value, depreciating an average of 16.3% after five years. 

What makes a car hold its value?  

There’s no real science or magic formula to explain why some cars hold their value better than others. Many reasons come down to features, value, and popularity. 

All of the vehicles on this list have a lot of standard equipment and a long list of options. That mix of features, plus a reasonable base price, makes them extremely attractive from a value standpoint. 

Popularity is hardly subjective. Just ask any high school student. However, in the case of these vehicles, it comes down to the image they project and the reflection of our own aspirations. These vehicles represent an ideal we aspire to and that ideal, coupled with the value offered, makes these vehicles more valuable than their peers.