Cars with the best resale value can save their owners thousands of dollars, even if that savings does not appear until it is time to sell or trade the vehicle.
A new iSeeCars study found the average vehicle loses 41.8% of its value after five years. Several sports cars, compact cars, hybrids and popular SUVs perform substantially better.
Porsche sports cars lead the rankings
The iSeeCars depreciation study analyzed more than 950,000 five-year-old used vehicles sold between March 2025 and February 2026.
The Porsche 718 Cayman posted the lowest depreciation of any vehicle, losing only 9.6% of its original value. The Porsche 911 followed at 11.1%, while the Chevrolet Corvette ranked third at 18.7%.
That is an unusual top three. Buyers generally expect mainstream vehicles to retain value better than luxury cars, but these three sports cars benefit from strong demand, limited supply and loyal buyers.
Top 10 cars and SUVs for value retention
The following table excludes pickup trucks and focuses on the cars and SUVs most relevant to We Talk Cars readers.
| Model | Five-year depreciation | Average value lost |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche 718 Cayman | 9.6% | $6,988 |
| Porsche 911 | 11.1% | $15,533 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 18.7% | $13,365 |
| Honda Civic | 22.9% | $5,828 |
| Subaru BRZ | 23.7% | $8,489 |
| Toyota GR Supra | 24.0% | $13,963 |
| Toyota RAV4/RAV4 Hybrid | 25.2% | $7,731 |
| Toyota Corolla Hatchback | 25.5% | $6,220 |
| Toyota 4Runner | 25.5% | $10,697 |
| Lexus RC 300/350 | 26.6% | $12,674 |
The Honda Civic stands out as the first affordable everyday car on the list. It loses an average of only $5,828 after five years, making it one of the least expensive vehicles to own from a depreciation standpoint.
Toyota and Honda remain safe bets
Toyota placed 10 vehicles among the study’s overall top 25. Beyond the Supra, RAV4 and 4Runner, the Corolla, Sienna, Corolla Hybrid and Prius also performed well.
Honda placed the Civic, HR-V, CR-V and Accord within the top 25.
These vehicles share a useful formula: strong new-car sales, broad used-car demand and reputations for practicality. A five-year-old Civic, RAV4 or CR-V still appeals to a large group of buyers, which helps support its resale value.
Hybrids also performed particularly well. The average hybrid lost 35.4% of its value after five years, compared with 41.8% for the overall market. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid led the hybrid category with 25.3% depreciation.
Depreciation is a major ownership cost
Fuel, insurance and maintenance receive more attention because owners pay those expenses throughout the year. Depreciation is easier to overlook because it remains hidden until the vehicle is sold or traded.
However, losing $6,000 instead of $16,000 can substantially change the true cost of ownership.
A vehicle with strong resale value may also justify paying slightly more when new, particularly if the owner expects to replace it after three to five years.
The bottom line
Sports cars claimed the first three positions, but the most useful results for the average buyer may be the Civic, RAV4, Corolla, CR-V and other mainstream models.
These vehicles combine practical transportation with strong used-car demand. That can make them less expensive to own even before fuel economy, reliability and maintenance costs enter the equation.
