Based on the iSeeCars study featured on SFGATE, the 2026 automotive market is seeing a reversal in used car price trends. While prices had been falling, every major vehicle segment is now retaining more value than it did in 2025.
Key Performance Insights
Top Performer: The Porsche 718 Cayman is the king of resale value, losing only 9.6% of its worth over five years.
Most Reliable Brand: Toyota dominates the list, claiming 10 of the top 25 spots for value retention.
The EV Problem: Electric vehicles struggle the most with depreciation, losing an average of 57.2% over five years. EVs and luxury models represent 24 of the 25 worst cars for resale.
Top 10 Vehicles for Resale Value
The list is heavily dominated by sports cars, trucks, and reliable Japanese commuters:
Porsche 718 Cayman
Porsche 911
Chevrolet Corvette
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tundra
Honda Civic
Subaru BRZ
Toyota GR Supra
Toyota RAV4 / RAV4 Hybrid
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
General Market Trends
Average Depreciation: The average 5-year depreciation for all vehicles improved to 41.8% in 2026.
Best Segments: Trucks (34.2%) and Hybrids (35.4%) remain the safest bets for long-term value.
Market Shift: High demand in 2026 has slowed the return to pre-pandemic depreciation rates.
Thanks for reading everybody!
-Paul