Imported and Domestic Car Brands With the Best Resale Values

There are a couple of different car buyers out there: on one end of the spectrum, you have folks who purchase a vehicle to drive it until the wheels fall off, and at the other end, there are those who buy a car, put some miles on it, and sell it to the next driver. Many people fall into that latter group, which means picking the right car isn’t just about comfort, performance, and fuel economy. They want something that will have a high resale value when the time comes to move on to their next ride.

When you begin to ask yourself, “Is it time to sell my car?” you’re probably concerned about what you’ll get for it when you finally sell. Part of maximizing your resale value is taking good care of a vehicle while you own it, but another part is opting for a vehicle that tends to retain its value. Checking both boxes saves money in the long run since you can get more out of selling or trading in. There are imported and domestic options that have the potential to fulfill those needs; however, the reasons why they maintain their value differs.

Import Manufacturers

When it comes to imported cars with high resale values, Japanese automakers have cornered the market. In fact, when analyzing resale values across all brands, Japanese models consistently perform well. Many Japanese cars have earned reputations for being some of the most reliable out there and are known to drive well into the hundreds of thousands of miles while being relatively easy to maintain. This quality fares well in the used car market since buyers will look at an inventory with higher mileage. If you’re buying a car that already reads over 100,000 miles on the odometer, it helps to know that it can be counted on to drive 100,000 more while keeping maintenance manageable.

Subaru

Subaru vehicles are some of the slowest to depreciate, making them a solid choice for drivers looking to sell their cars down the line, holding about 78.6% of their value after five years. Subaru strikes a balance between safety, reliability, and driver engagement in their vehicles, making them highly sought-after. Brand loyalty is another important factor. Subaru has a rich and thrilling history embedded in rally racing culture, garnering fans from all over the world and increasing demand for vehicles like the Impreza or BRZ.

Another aspect of the Subaru brand that sets it apart from its JDM counterparts is its variety of vehicles. While other Japanese brands tend to focus on small daily drivers, Subaru offers a wider range of adventure-ready crossovers and SUVs that can confidently handle inclement weather or tricky terrain. Appealing to different kinds of drivers, and maintaining their trust, adds up to increased value across the board for Subaru models.

Honda

It may be a Japanese brand, but Honda is one of the biggest household names in the car market here in the United States. Honda is extremely responsive to its fan base, constantly innovating mainstays like the Civic and Accord to make them better with each generation. Drivers trust these names and know what they’re getting when purchasing a Honda. This exemplary track record helps to slow their depreciation, with Honda vehicles retaining 77.1% of their value after five years. The Civic and Accord are some of the most recognizable cars out there, and it’s not uncommon to see sedans that are 10, 20, or even 30 years old donning the Honda badge out on the road. The lasting power of a Honda is visible to drivers looking for a used car they can count on, and they’re often willing to pay a little bit more for that peace of mind.

Toyota

There’s more to a brand than just the quality of its product, and Toyota is the perfect example of this. Sure, Toyota vehicles are high quality, but they’re also backed by a brand that has established itself as a leader in eco-friendliness. Green vehicles have become increasingly popular over the last several decades, and Toyota has been on the bandwagon since day one.

Everyone may be getting on board now, but Toyota has been delivering in this space for decades, earning the confidence of consumers that want a car that’s both reliable and clean. Consumers trying to shop consciously are typically okay with paying more if it means they’re making an ethical purchase, and Toyota has earned these shoppers’ trust and dollars. With a resale value of 77.6% after five years, you can see that the brand’s innovation has paid off.

Domestic Manufacturers

Reliability and longevity are prominent factors determining a car’s resale value, but they’re not the only things. Targeting a specific niche of the market can also have a positive effect on a car’s resale value. This is very much in domestic automakers’ wheelhouses, and it’s where they can successfully add some long-term value to their vehicles. While brand reputation boosts the resale price across all models for automakers like Subaru, Honda, and Toyota, specialization is the main driving force that creates value for the following brands.

Chevrolet

When you think of Chevrolet, there are probably a few models that immediately come to mind. The options at a Chevy Silverado dealer are a dominating force in the truck market, while the Chevy Camaro and Corvette have been making a name for themselves in the sports car realm for decades. Part of the reason why a vehicle like the Silverado does well retaining its value is, again, consumer trust. There are solid options for imported pickups, but they don’t have the same track record with pickup drivers that a brand like Chevrolet does. Opting for a specialized Silverado, like the heavy-duty 2500 or off-roading ZR2, is also likely to increase its long-term value.

A similar logic can be applied to the Camaro and Corvette. These specialty sports cars aren’t your average daily drivers, and they aren’t going to be for every driver, but they are exactly what some are looking for. The subset of enthusiasts will pay a premium for the car of their dreams, which is why a vehicle like the Corvette is one of the best sports cars for value retention. Also, a high-end sports car depreciates differently than most vehicles. While a 20-year-old Honda Civic is certainly far less valuable than a brand-new one, sometimes a vintage sports car can sell for nearly as much (or more) than its original cost. With an impressive 72.7% resale value over a five-year period, Chevy has made a name for itself in the pre-owned market.

Jeep

A brand like Jeep can be hit-or-miss as far as resale value goes. For example, something like the Grand Cherokee is likely to depreciate quicker than the Wrangler, which again comes down to specialization. The Grand Cherokee is a good vehicle, but plenty of good vehicles make up the saturated SUV segment. On the other hand, the Wrangler is a specialty off-roading vehicle with an incredibly devoted fan base and a well-deserved reputation that goes back to the fledgling years of the 20th century.

It’s the best at what it does, partially because there isn’t that much competition, especially when compared to something like a Corolla. That lack of competition largely makes the Wrangler hold onto its value since there isn’t as much product to keep up with demand. An average five-year resale value of 68.4% for a Jeep vehicle isn’t too bad when considering the brand appeals to a narrow demographic of drivers.

Consider the Resale Value When Purchasing a New Vehicle

It’s smart to consider the potential resale value when shopping for a new car, especially if you plan to sell it a few years later. Still, in reality, so many things go into a car’s resale value, many of them being unpredictable and out of any buyer’s control. In summary, keep your car’s resale value in mind, but make sure the set of wheels you get is something you can also enjoy driving as well. Contact us today for more information about selling your car and its resale value.