Depreciation is still the single biggest line-item in the true cost of ownership. iSeeCars’ March 2025 study of 800 k+ five-year-old transactions pegs the average U.S. vehicle at -45.6 % after five years—up from the pandemic-era lows when used prices spiked iSeeCars. Knowing which brands shed dollars slowest can save (or cost) thousands—often eclipsing interest paid on a typical car loan.
Primary 5-year and 10-year depreciation data: iSeeCars model-level tables and brand roll-ups (Mar 25 2025) iSeeCars.
Best-resale-value awards: Kelley Blue Book 2025 Best Resale Value (brand & model) released Mar 4 2025 Kbb.com.
Ultra-luxury examples: CarEdge/iSeeCars depreciation calculators for Bentley Continental GT and Rolls-Royce Cullinan CarEdgeiSeeCars.
| Rank | Brand | Avg. 5-yr. depreciation* | Why they win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota | ~32 % (Tacoma 26 %, RAV4 30.9 %) | Reliability, nationwide demand, hybrid dominance |
| 2 | Porsche | 20-30 % (911 19.5 %, 718 Cayman 21.8 %) | Enthusiast cachet, limited supply |
| 3 | Subaru | Low-30 % range (Crosstrek 33 %) | AWD reputation, loyal following |
| 4 | Honda | ~34 % (Civic 28 %, CR-V 35.2 %) | Long-term reliability, low cost of ownership |
| 5 | GMC / Chevy trucks | High-30 % | Pickup scarcity keeps resale strong |
*Derived from iSeeCars top-25 list; averages rounded. iSeeCars
Luxury EVs and big-ticket sedans dominate the “worst 25” list:
Jaguar (I-PACE, -72.2 %) Carscoops
BMW 7-Series (-67.1 %), Tesla Model S/X (-63-65 %), Land Rover Range Rover (-62.9 %), Maserati Ghibli (-64.7 %) iSeeCars
Factors: high MSRP, tech obsolescence, costly repairs, and—in EVs—rapid battery/charging advances.
Depreciation slows after year 7, but the compounding hit is huge:
| Interval | Industry avg. | Toyota Tacoma | Jaguar I-PACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-yr | 45.6 % | 26 % | 72.2 % |
| 10-yr | 65-70 % (typical) | 45-50 % (estimate from CarEdge trail) | ~80 % (EVs age hard) |
Even top brands nearly double lost value between years 5 and 10, but still fare better than the market.
| Model | 5-yr depreciation | 10-yr depreciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley Continental GT | -39 % | -70 % (residual ≈ $101 k) CarEdge |
| Rolls-Royce Cullinan | -43.9 % | -72.9 % (residual ≈ $105 k) iSeeCars |
Despite their prestige (and six-figure MSRPs), both brands trail mainstream performers. Rolls-Royce noses ahead on early ownership prestige but falls slightly behind Bentley over a decade.
Takeaway: Ultra-luxury badges are not value shields; expect ~70 % to evaporate by year 10.
Leverage depreciation, not fight it. If you change cars every 3-4 years, buy lightly-used vehicles from brands with high initial depreciation (luxury sedans, some EVs).
Buy-and-hold? Stick to resilient names. Toyota, Porsche, Subaru, Honda trucks/SUVs consistently top resale charts.
Mind the segment. Trucks and hybrids outclass EVs on resale (-40 % vs. -58.8 % at 5 years). iSeeCars
Run the numbers first. A model with low depreciation can justify a slightly higher sale price or lower finance incentives.
Try it: Plug a high-retention Toyota Tacoma vs. a steep-dropping Jaguar I-PACE into our Car Loan Calculator to see how resale expectations reshape monthly payment choices and break-even points.
Toyota once again secures “Best Brand” for resale value, while ultra-lux EVs and prestige sedans bleed cash fastest. Whether you’re eyeing a sensible RAV4 Hybrid or dreaming of a used Bentley, understanding depreciation lets you pick smarter financing paths—and CarLoanEstimate.biz can crunch those scenarios in seconds.