2017 Vehicles With Highest Projected Resale Value

Cars and Drivers

Published: January 25, 2017 10:10 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 3:33 pm

Chances are that when you buy a new car, the resale value of that car a few years down the road does not figure prominently in the decision. After all, U.S. consumers keep their cars an average of more than 6.5 years because today’s vehicles are much more reliable.

At some point, however, a vehicle’s resale value does matter, whether you are trading it in for a new model or trying to sell it on your own. That’s when resale value really matters.

Researchers at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) have ranked the 2017 model year vehicles with the best resale value in 22 vehicle categories and also named the top 10 2017 cars with the best resale value. The rankings are based on a projected retained value through an initial five-year ownership period.

The top brands in this year’s rankings are Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM), placing four models in the top Value brand categories, and Porsche with three models among the top Luxury brand categories.

Other top ranking automakers include General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM), which placed seven models in the 22 categories, Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) with four model winners, and Subaru, also with four top-ranked models.

Here’s the list, by category:

Subcompact car: Honda Fit
Compact car: Subaru Impreza
Sporty compact car: Subaru WRX
Midsize car: Subaru Legacy
Full-size car: Nissan Maxima
Entry-level luxury car: Lexus RC
Luxury car: Lexus GS
High-end luxury car: Porsche Panamera
Sports car: Porsche 718 Cayman
High-performance car: Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) Mustang Shelby
Hybrid/alternative-energy car: Honda Accord Hybrid
Electric vehicle: Chevy Bolt EV
Subcompact sport utility vehicle/crossover: Honda HR-V
Compact SUV/crossover: Jeep Wrangler from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU)
Midsize SUV/crossover: Toyota 4Runner
Full-size SUV/crossover: Chevrolet Suburban
Luxury compact SUV/crossover: Porsche Macan
Luxury midsize SUV/crossover: Lexus RX
Luxury full-size SUV/crossover: Lexus LX
Midsize pickup truck: Toyota Tacoma
Full-size pickup truck: Chevy Silverado HD
Minivan: Toyota Sienna

According to KBB, an average 2017 model-year vehicle only will retain about 32.9% of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning that a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $16,450 after five years. While much of a vehicle’s resale value is based on supply and demand, as well as current and projected future market conditions, vehicles that retain their value best are typically discounted the least and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest.

Here’s KBB’s list of the top 10 models based on resale value. We’ve included the vehicle’s resale value at 60 months as a percentage of the purchase price.

Toyota Tacoma: 58.4%
Toyota 4Runner: 54.5%
Chevy Silverado: 52.2%
Jeep Wrangler: 51.1%
Toyota Tundra: 49%
Chevy Colorado: 48.1%
Honda Ridgeline: 47.6%
GMC Sierra: 47.5%
GMC Canyon: 47.2%
Subaru WRX: 45.4%

For more details on the awards, visit the KBB website.

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