Car Depreciation by Brand 2026: Which Names Keep Their Value
Toyota, Honda, and Subaru lose 35–40% over five years while BMW and Mercedes shed 50–60% — and depreciation is usually the biggest ownership cost of all.
Why depreciation is the real boss
Depreciation is the largest single cost of ownership, bigger than fuel, insurance, and maintenance combined. A car that loses 35% over five years costs $7,000 less in lost value than one that drops 55% on the same $35,000 sticker. When you shop resale, you are really shopping your future loss.
The value retainers
Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds 2026 data put Toyota at about 37% five-year depreciation, Honda at 38%, Subaru at 39%, and Mazda at 41%. Reliability, broad demand, and strong used markets keep them high. Toyota hybrids — Prius, Camry Hybrid — can beat 30% thanks to fuel savings buyers will pay for used.
The value losers
| Brand | 5-yr depreciation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| BMW | ~52% | High repair cost, tech churn |
| Mercedes-Benz | ~54% | Steep new discounts, costly upkeep |
| Audi | ~50% | Lease-heavy, soft used demand |
| Chrysler/Dodge | ~48% | Weak demand, reliability marks |
Body style changes the curve
Trucks and SUVs — F-150, Silverado, 4Runner — hold value best of any category because work buyers keep demand high. EVs are mixed: Tesla resists depreciation better than most, but several newer EV brands have dropped fast as tech and incentives shifted.
How to protect your own resale
Buy a proven model in a popular trim and a neutral color, keep mileage under 12,000 a year, and keep every service record. A documented maintenance history and unmodified body earn more at trade-in than a heavily personalized car nobody else wants.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average car depreciation rate per year?+
Which car brand has the best resale value?+
Do luxury cars depreciate faster?+
What is the most depreciating car?+
How can I check my car’s depreciation?+
Estimate the market value of a used car based on make, model, year, mileage, and condition. Get private party and trade-in values.
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