The 7 Cars with the Best Resale Value
Buying a vehicle is just the first expense in your ownership journey. There’s insurance fees, maintenance costs, speeding tickets, gas prices, just to name a few. One of the largest, and often most overlooked, costs associated to vehicle ownership, however, is the cost of depreciation (meaning, how much your vehicle loses value over time). To help offset the cost of depreciation, one of your goals should be to buy a car with as little depreciation as possible. If you buy a high resale value vehicle, you can get a better return on your investment when it comes time to sell or trade-in. Below, we’ve listed seven cars with the best resale value. Keep reading to find one that suits you!
Editor’s note: This list is based off Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and Canadian Black Book (CBB) values, the two best sources for car valuations in Canada. Their values are based on sales data, auctions, brand equity, and the pricing of similar vehicles across Canada, is the most accurate estimate a consumer is likely to find.
Why Resale Value Matter?
According to KBB, depreciation is typically the largest expense in a full buy-own-sell cycle. During the first five years of new-car ownership, the biggest expense isn’t fuel, maintenance, or even insurance, it’s depreciation. It’s inevitable, too. The moment you drive a car off the dealer lot, it begins to depreciate.
If you’re like most people, you probably won’t drive your vehicle until its dying day. Eventually, you’re going to want to sell it or trade it in. By buying a car that holds its value over a long period of time, you’re saving your future-self money. How? By ensuring a greater recuperation of cost when it comes time to sell or trade in.
A vehicle is one of life’s most significant financial decisions. That’s why you should take a hard look at the cars with the best resale value listed below!
#1 Toyota Tundra
The 2018 Toyota Tundra was the CBB’s top-ranked full-size pickup for retained value. What’s more, it placed second in KBB’s top ten cars with the best resale value of 2018.
The Tundra is a formidable truck. Indeed, even when compared to North American favourites, like the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500, it holds its own. Drivers will enjoy its formidable V8 exclusive powertrains, impressive towing capacity, as well as its off-roading abilities.
New to the Tundra is a revitalised design, and Toyota Safety Sense, Toyota’s advanced set of active safety equipment. Specifically, the Toyota Safety Sense package consists of such innovative technologies as:
- Forward collision warning and mitigation
- Lane departure warning
- Auto high-beam control
- Adaptive cruise control
- … and more.
Under the hood, the Tundra has either a standard 4.6-litre V8, or the optional 5.7-litre engine. The latter produces a whopping 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Max towing capacity rings in at 4,535 kg (10,000 lbs). That’s more than enough power for even the most serious truck enthusiasts.
Next on our list of cars with the best resale value, we have the Toyota 4Runner. It was also selected as one of Edmund’s Best Midsize SUVs.
This year’s 4Runner isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill Costco-trip hauler, either. It’s one of the last SUVs of its kind, which is part of the reason why its resale value is so high, too. Furthermore, with its body-on-frame build and high ground-clearance, the 4Runner just as comfortable in the back-country as it is in the city. If you love off-roading, or just love getting outside, the 4Runner would be a perfect companion for you.
The 4Runner is powered by a 270 horsepower 4.0-litre V6 that’s paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. That combo, while a bit dated, will keep you trucking through intractable muddy roads when other SUVs will get stuck. That’s largely thanks to its authentic off-road build.
Additional standard and available features, among several more, include:
- 6.1” touchscreen audio with navigation and backup camera
- Towing hitch and trailer sway control
- Toyota’s Star Safety System
- Keyless entry
Plus, with a rigid impact-absorbing body, and available third row seating, the 4Runner is a family friendly alternative to minivans.
#3 Jeep Wrangler
For eight years now, the iconic Jeep Wrangler has won the Compact SUV category for CBB’s Best Retained Value Awards. So, not only is it the go-to vehicle where off-roading is concerned, but new or used, the Wrangler is a first choice for retained value. You could say that the demand for Wranglers is as steady as its handling is on rocky roads. But don’t be fooled – the Wrangler isn’t only for off-roading nuts. With a long list of high-tech and comfort features, the Wrangler is equally pleasant for everyday city commuting.
You’ll be happy to hear that the Wrangler hasn’t forgotten its roots. Whereas most SUVs on today’s market prioritize comfort and polite road manners, the Wrangler was built with all-range capability in mind. Likewise, it maintains its classic design – the one that makes it immediately recognizable on road.
Coming standard is a 5-inch touchscreen Uconnect 3 infotainment system with hands-free communication and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, there’s an 8-speaker audio system and 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Upper trims feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Several modern safety features are also built into the Wrangler, such as:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-path detection
- ParkView rear back-up camera
- Park-sense rear park assist
The Wrangler blends a classic design, off-roading prowess, and high-tech features all into one. It’s one of the best SUVs on today’s, and tomorrow’s, market.
#4 Dodge Challenger
Another one of our cars with the best resale value is the Dodge Challenger. 2018 marked the seventh consecutive year the Challenger won the CBB’s Best Retained Value award for the sports car category. This year’s Challenger continues the tradition of excellence with a customizable powertrain that ranges from fast to frighteningly fast. On top of that, it has a segment-exclusive all-wheel drive.
The Challenger is a muscle car to boot, but it also has a spacious interior, which is something of a rarity for this class. It’s intelligently laid out, and contains tons of much sought-after features, like an available 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system. Consistently one of the best sports cars on the road, it’s not surprising the Challenger retains its value as long as it does.
Of course, you can’t talk a muscle car without talking about what’s under the hood. When it comes to the Challenger, there’s no shortage of strong engine choices. The base is the 3.6-litre V6 – Canada’s best selling engine – paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. Thrill seekers will be more than satisfied by the Challenger SRT Demon. Reaching 0-100 km/h in the mid 2-second range, it’s the fastest quarter-mile production car in the world.
Finally, the Challenger is a popular car, so demand for it is understandably high and stable over time. In fact, aside from jaw-dropping horsepower and a classic design, the one thing you can always expect from a Challenger is good resale value.
#5 Ford F-150
Another one of the cars with the best resale value is the Ford F-150. The hype surrounding the Ford F-Series isn’t misplaced. The F-150 has been Canada’s best-selling truck for over 50 years. It was also named the 2018 Truck of the Year by MotorTrend. That’s largely because of its class-leading capability, attractive interior design, advanced safety systems, and impressive engine options.
Now in its thirteenth generation, the 2018 F-150 delivers best-in-class payload, towing capacity, and fuel-efficiency. The High-Output 3.5-litre EcoBoost V-6 is the F-150’s most powerful engine available. It boasts a commanding max towing capacity of 5,987 kg, 450 horsepower, and 510 lb-ft of torque.
Another great thing about the F-150 is that it has tons of high tech active safety and entertainment options. There’s an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Your tunes will come through loud and clear, too, through a first-rate B&O sound system. There’s also heated and cooling seats, a heated steering wheel, and all the space five passengers will ever need. Some of the most desirable and helpful driver assist features include:
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Pre-collision warning system
- Massage seats for front passengers
It performed well on its crash tests as well, receiving a full five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. So, if safety is something you prioritize, as you very well should, the 2018 F-150 won’t disappoint.
The Ford F-150 has been one of the best trucks on the road for over 50 years. With that kind of consistency and dependability, a high resale value is a given.
For an in-depth look at the 2018 Ford F-150, read our review by clicking here.
#6 Porsche Cayenne
Sixth on our list of cars with the best resale value, we have the Porsche Cayenne. When it first came out, the Cayenne was a disgrace to Porsche traditionalists. They thought a Porsche should be nothing more than a luxury sports car. But since then, much has changed. Now, the Cayenne’s composed road manners, sharp handling, powerful but efficient powertrain, and distinctive design has made believers out even its most skeptical critics. Its a handy tool for day-to-day chores, and it’ll last you a while as well. Plus, for yet another year, the CBB named it the mid-size luxury SUV with the best retained value in 2018.
There’s no shortage of variety when it comes to the Porsche Cayenne. We’ll be talking about the new Cayenne models, but there’s an additional five types of Cayennes. They vary from ultra fuel-efficient hybrid options, to horsepower-loaded Turbo options. Each model has its own trim levels to choose from, too, with dozens of options to add on top of that. Indeed, the Cayenne can be designed to fit your precise needs. However, one thing you can enjoy throughout the entire lineup, is a refined luxury that’s unique to Porsche vehicles.
Another Porsche worth looking at, and whose worth lasts, is the Porsche Macan. It won the KBB award for Best Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover in 2018.
#7 Honda Ridgeline
Last on our list of the cars with the best resale value, we have the Honda Ridgeline. It was named the North American Truck of the Year in 2017, and made it onto Car and Driver’s list of 10 Best Trucks and SUVs for 2018. Needless today, there are plenty of reasons to get behind the wheel of the 2018 Ridgeline. Not least of which being that it retains its value far past its competitors.
There are five different trim levels, each powered by Honda’s spunky 3.5-litre V6 engine. It produces a healthy 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. While it can tow with the best trucks out there (max towing is 2,268 kg), the Ridgeline nevertheless presents the pleasant drive of an SUV. So, you could say it has a bit of the best of both worlds.
Finally, it was awarded a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, and can be equipped with all the latest driver assist and active safety features that today’s buyers are looking for, such as:
- LaneWatch blind spot display
- Honda satellite-linked navigation system
- Vehicle stability assist
- Hill start assist
- … and more.
In sum, the Honda Ridgeline is versatile and well-worth its modest price tag.
Your Next Step
The cost of depreciation is one the most significant costs associated to the purchase of a vehicle. Unless you plan on driving your vehicle until it’s dying day, you’re better off buying a vehicle that holds its value for a long time. That way, when you trade in or sell later, you’ll get a larger chunk of your original investment in return.
If you currently have a vehicle you’re looking to trade-in, Go Auto has a free appraisal service that’s easy and free to use. Because of our broad customer base and extensive dealership network, we’re able and willing to pay more for your car!
You can start the trade-in process by clicking here, or you can call or text us at 780-777-7777.
We accept any brand, any year, in pretty much any condition.
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