Reselling a vehicle can be unpredictable, but one thing is for certain: you’re not going to get back nearly as much money as you’ve put in. However, if you’re one to switch cars every five years, you can maximize how much money you’ll receive by targeting one of Kelly Blue Book’s cars with the best resale value.
First, it is important to understand depreciation rates. The value of a car automatically drops around 20-percent the moment you drive it off the lot. From there, the car will drop another 15-percent in value annually, and the rate will eventually slow down once you reach your fifth year.
There are several vehicles that blow these numbers out of the water, however. As in past years, these vehicles are generally trucks or SUVs. We didn’t go through all ten, but we picked out the four best cars in regards to retained value. So if you’re looking to sell a car in Cincinnati, it may be worth your time to check out the list. It may help you decide what your next ride will be…
2015 Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma tops Kelly Blue Book’s 2015 rankings of the cars with the best resell value. The pickup retains almost 75-percent of its value after three years, and 60-percent of its value after five years! With the truck coming in at $35,000, you can still get back a pretty penny for your used Tacoma.
It’s no surprise that the 2015 model would top the list, as its versatility and dependable engine means the truck should be enjoyed for a long time, whether by the original owner or somebody else. If there’d be one qualm, it could be that the brand opted for an older design, and while Edmunds.com suggests checking out some of General Motors’ other trucks, we’d suggest sticking with the Tacoma.
If you’re going to purchase a used 2015 Tacoma sometime in the future, there are several things to keep in mind. The truck is offered with either V6 or four-cylinder power, with Edmunds commending the four-cylinder engine for it’s fuel economy. The site also gives thumbs up to the truck’s “off-road prowess,” the innovative and operable touchscreen (you don’t know how difficult it is to find a infotainment system that doesn’t have at least a couple of glitches), and the “convenient” size.
The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder, 16-valve, Inline 4 engine is accompanied by a five-speed manual transmission. The truck can pump out 159 horsepower and 180 ft-lbs of torque. The gas motor can deliver a 21 city mile per gallon and 25 highway mile per gallon fuel efficiency, and you’ll receive a max range around 525 miles. The interior is quite roomy, with 40 inches of front head room and 53.6 inches of front hip room.
2015 Jeep Wrangler
This off-roading and horsepower champion is perhaps the best the nameplate has ever produced, and that could be a big reason why it’s listed as the vehicle with the second-best resale value on KBB’s rankings. The Wrangler retains nearly 70-percent of its value after three years, and it only drops to 59-percent after five years.
As Edmunds.com says, the Wrangler is “all but unstoppable on the trail,” and the model is generally regarded as one of the best vehicles to use when traveling the unbeaten path. The styling is also appreciated by the website, as are the door variants (options of two or four), and the unique driving experience.
Coming in ten different colors, the smooth-looking Jeep is equipped with eight speakers and a 66-watt stereo output. The 3.6-liter V6 24-valve engine can pump out 295 horsepower (which is best-in-class) and 260 ft-lbs of torque. You should also expect around a 19 mpg fuel economy.
Of course, the Wrangler also has notable weight and capacity specs, including a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a 3,785-pound curb weight. Furthermore, you’ll get a maximum 55 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
Perhaps another reason for the high resell value is the fact that Jeep parts are very easy to come across. Whenever there’s an issue with a used Wrangler, you can be assured that any replacement parts are easily accessible. You may take this for granted, but remember that parts for particular car brands aren’t as easy to come across (thus making them much more expensive).
2015 Toyota Tundra
The Tundra trails the Tacoma in both the overall and full-size categories, but that doesn’t mean the pickup should be ignored. In fact, some people prefer the off-roader, and that’s indicated by the resale specs. KBB estimates just over a 68-percent retainment value after three years and 58.4-percent after five years. It may rank third on the website’s list, but the five-year value is only two-percent less than the leading Tacoma.
The Tundra’s V6 engine has been retired, leaving a pair of V8s in its place. The standard 4.6-liter motor can deliver 310 horsepower and 327 ft-lbs of torque, a pair of specs that beat the crap out of those produced from the Tacoma. However, it only delivers a 17 combined mpg fuel economy.
Edmunds.com appreciated the vehicle’s large double cab, and they also were fond of the “colossal CrewMax cab.” Furthermore, the company included the unique TRD Pro trim, which gives the truck some impressive off-roading capabilities.
2015 Chevrolet Colorado
One of two Chevy’s in the top-10 (along with the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado), the Colorado has returned with a bang, and that’s clear from the resale value. The truck will bring you back around 67.6-percent of its value after three years and 58.3-percent after five years.
Coming back from a brief hiatus, many have generally commended the revamped Colorado. Edmunds.com notes the truck’s comfort and “confident ride quality,” while also pointing out the high-tech features, the fuel efficiency, and the luxurious interior.
The 2.5-liter, Inline 4, 16-valve engine can produce 191 ft-lbs of torque and 200 horsepower, but the most impressive spec is the fuel economy, where the engine can deliver 19 city/26 highway miles per gallon.
When it comes to amenities, the Colorado is loaded. The six-speaker audio system is connected to a speed sensitive volume control, meaning you won’t have to adjust the sound when you’re zooming on a loud highway. Of course, there’s also a number of safety features, including four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, and a post-collision safety system.
Coming in around $36,000, the Colorado has a reasonable price tag considering every it offers. Not only can you enjoy the truck while you have it, but you can also expect a semi-lucrative payday when you’ve decided to move on.
Other vehicles in the top-10 include the 2015 GMC Canyon, 2015 GMC Sierra, 2015 Chevy Silverado, 2015 Toyota 4Runner, 2015 Ford F-150 and 2015 Honda CR-V.
Now, many of these values are mostly educated projections, so there’s no guarantee that these estimates will be exact. You’ll also want to take care of your vehicle if you’re considering reselling it. Keeping the car clean, trash-free, and devoid of smoke will certainly add some value when you’re looking to sell. If you also take good care of your engine, you should be rewarded with a monetary bonus.
