Posted on 09/08/2026 7:38:23 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Five-year depreciation varies dramatically by model, with a spread of more than 50 percentage points between the best and worst performers in this ranking.
This graphic ranks cars with the highest and lowest five-year depreciation in 2026, based on data from iSeeCars. The automotive research firm analyzed more than 950,000 five-year-old used vehicles sold between March 2025 and February 2026, with prices adjusted to 2026 dollars.
The study compares each vehicle’s average used price with its original manufacturer’s suggested retail price, or MSRP. Lower depreciation means a vehicle retained a larger share of its original purchase price.
The Porsche 718 Cayman stands out as the strongest performer, depreciating by just 9.6% over five years.
That works out to an average decline of only $6,988 from its original MSRP of approximately $72,800. The Porsche 911 follows at 11.1%, while the Chevrolet Corvette ranks third at 18.7%.
| Rank | Model | Avg 5-Year Depreciation | Avg $ Difference from MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porsche 718 Cayman | 9.6% | $6,988 |
| 2 | Porsche 911 | 11.1% | $15,533 |
| 3 | Chevrolet Corvette | 18.7% | $13,365 |
| 4 | Toyota Tacoma | 19.9% | $6,426 |
| 5 | Toyota Tundra | 21.2% | $8,746 |
| 6 | Honda Civic | 22.9% | $5,828 |
| 7 | Subaru BRZ | 23.7% | $8,489 |
| 8 | Toyota GR Supra | 24.0% | $13,963 |
| 9 | Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 25.2% | $7,731 |
| 10 | Toyota Corolla Hatchback | 25.5% | $6,220 |
| 11 | Toyota 4Runner | 25.5% | $10,697 |
| 12 | Lexus RC 300/350 | 26.6% | $12,674 |
| 13 | Ford Mustang | 26.8% | $9,205 |
| 14 | Toyota Corolla | 27.6% | $6,328 |
| 15 | Toyota Sienna | 28.5% | $11,530 |
Sports cars take four of the top seven spots, with the Porsche 718 Cayman and 911 joined by the Chevrolet Corvette and Subaru BRZ. The results show that some enthusiast models can retain value far better than the broader market despite their relatively high purchase prices.
Known for its long-standing reputation for vehicle reliability, Toyota has a particularly strong showing among models that hold their value.
The Tacoma and Tundra rank fourth and fifth, depreciating 19.9% and 21.2%, respectively. Toyota’s seven entries span pickups, SUVs, compact cars, and a minivan, suggesting that the brand’s resale strength extends well beyond a single model or vehicle category.
At the other end of the ranking, the Nissan LEAF has the highest five-year depreciation at 63.1%. The Volkswagen ID.4 follows at 62.1%, while the Tesla Model S loses 62.0%.
| Rank | Model | Avg 5-Year Depreciation | Avg $ Difference from MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan LEAF | 63.1% | $17,743 |
| 2 | INFINITI QX80 | 62.8% | $52,631 |
| 3 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 62.1% | $28,010 |
| 4 | Tesla Model S | 62.0% | $58,907 |
| 5 | Land Rover Range Rover | 61.7% | $69,856 |
| 6 | BMW 7 Series | 61.6% | $61,141 |
| 7 | Tesla Model X | 61.2% | $61,216 |
| 8 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | 60.8% | $22,976 |
| 9 | BMW 5 Series (hybrid) | 59.5% | $44,921 |
| 10 | INFINITI QX60 | 58.3% | $30,099 |
| 11 | Land Rover Range Rover Sport | 58.3% | $45,272 |
| 12 | Audi Q5 (hybrid) | 58.2% | $34,063 |
| 13 | Land Rover Discovery | 57.9% | $34,878 |
| 14 | Tesla Model Y | 57.8% | $26,020 |
| 15 | Audi A8 L | 57.6% | $54,824 |
Six EVs rank among the 15 fastest-depreciating vehicles: the Nissan LEAF, Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Tesla Model Y.
Older EVs can face resale pressure as newer models offer improvements in range, charging speeds, and technology, while changes in new-vehicle pricing can also affect used values.
A newer EV may therefore be more competitive than a five-year-old model on range, charging performance, or software.
Luxury vehicles also feature prominently. The Land Rover Range Rover loses 61.7% of its value, equal to an average decline of $69,856 from MSRP, the largest dollar loss among the models shown. The BMW 7 Series, INFINITI QX80, and Range Rover Sport also post steep declines.
To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic on the cheapest car brands to own and maintain.
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Eleven of fifteen of the best are Japanese.
Deming rests in peace.
Many, if not most American cars are junk.
Tesla LOL! What about the CyberSuck?
Given the rapid depreciation of EVs, have to wonder what the true cost per mile driven compared to an ICE vehicle with less depreciation. Also why would you buy a vehicle that features a 5 year old lithium battery that cannot be replaced cost effectively.
So... A 5 year old Infinity QX60 can be had for cheap money. This list works both ways. The bad side is a list of used cars that can be cheap and the good side is what to buy new.
Japanese ...
Toyota Tacoma: Made in Mexico
Toyota Tundra: Made in Texas
Honda Civic: Made in Indiana
Toyota Supra: Made in Austria
I’m getting bored ...
Toyota Corolla: Made in Mississippi
They have improved, but still have a long way to go to be competitive, especially now that the Koreans are seriously in the game.
The real problem is our schools, from kindergarten to an engineering degree.
So much for the "cheaper labor" myth.
trucks excluded, apparently.
I bought a 2004 Ford F-250 in 2009, 4-wheel drive Lariat, for $17,000 with 77,000 miles. I drove it for 10 years and ended up crashing and totaling it in 2019 with 277,000 miles on it. I was just about to replace the tires and cracked windshield on it when the accident happened. With all those miles on it the insurance payout was $10,000!
Plus, the cost of repairing ANYTHING is extremely expensive.
For example, a buddy in my office owns a Model Y. One of the headlight died. He called the dealer and made an appointment to replace the headlight. He had to drop it off for the day. They had to remove the bumper to replace the headlight.
Total cost $1500.
Around the same time I replaced the headlight on my 2012 Tacoma. I went to the local auto parts store and bought a pair of the most expensive brightest bulbs available for my truck. Just under $50 for two bulbs. It took me almost ten minutes to replace the passenger side bulb. The drivers side is a little more time because you need to loosen up and move the battery. It took about twenty minutes the last time I replaced it.
> Many, if not most American cars are junk. <
Sad, but true. The other day I was on a website that was discussing car quality.
Some wit posted this:
Old Ford slogan: Quality is Job One.
New Ford slogan: Quality is Job None.
Schools yes, engineering AND business. Cars are designed to fail, mandates killed the car industry, from idiotic safety extras to minimum union wages, the whole lot of it.
My friends in auto sales and repair tell me to avoid ALL Jeep cars
You might want to research that statement. It's not accurate ...
A lot of the Lexus models are still made in Japan. My 2011 IS350C was made in Japan.
My 2012 Toyota Tacoma was made in San Antonio. I think most of the Tacomas are now made in Mexico.
My Ford Focus is probably the best car I’ve ever had.
They make a handful of passable models/configurations - the Sport is arguably the most mechanically dependable Wrangler configuration you can buy.
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