Critical Shifts:
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Trucks are the Ultimate Hedge: The top three spots are all Toyota trucks/SUVs. Even with fluctuating gas prices, the "work and play" segment remains the safest bet for value retention.
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The "Sienna" Surprise: In a market dominated by SUVs, the Toyota Sienna is the only minivan in the Top 10, retaining a massive 54.3%. For independent dealers, a clean, late-model Sienna is essentially "lot gold."
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EV Specifics: While Tesla leads the volume, the Rivian R1S and R1T are making waves in the category-specific wins, signaling a shift in where the "enthusiast" EV money is heading.
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For independent auto dealers, "buying right" is half the battle. When the market shifts, knowing which units will hold their value—and which will tank—is the difference between a high-turnover lot and a sea of aged inventory.
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) just released its 2026 Best Resale Value Awards, and for the independent dealer, the results serve as a roadmap for high-retention inventory sourcing
The Dominance of the "Big Two"
For the sixth straight year, Toyota has secured the Best Resale Value Brand title, with its luxury sibling, Lexus, taking the Luxury Brand crown for the fifth consecutive year.
According to Rheia Szymczyk, KBB’s senior manager of valuation and analysis, these brands aren't just winning; they are "reigning supreme" with average residual values that outpace the rest of the market:
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Toyota Average Resale: 53%
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Lexus Average Resale: 47%
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Market Average: ~45% (A $5,000–$10,000 difference in value over five years)
2026 Resale Value: Top 10 Models
If you see these units at the auction, expect the bidding to be fierce. These ten vehicles are projected to retain 55% or more of their original MSRP after five years—well above industry norms.
| Rank | MODEL | 5-Year Resale Value |
| 1 | 2026 Toyota Tacoma |
63.0% |
| 2 |
2026 Toyota Tundra |
59.9% |
| 3 |
2026 Toyota 4Runner |
58.0% |
| 4 |
2026 Toyota GR Supra |
56.0% |
| 5 |
2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class |
55.0% |
| 6 |
2026 Toyota Sienna |
54.3% |
| 7 |
2026 Ford Maverick |
54.1% |
| 8 |
2026 Chevrolet Corvette |
54.0% |
| 9 |
2026 Porsche 911 |
53.9% |
| 10 |
2026 Ford Ranger |
53.4% |
Dealer Tip: Use these KBB rankings in your marketing. Showing a customer that the vehicle they are buying is a "KBB Resale Value Winner" is a powerful tool for overcoming price objections and justifying a firm "no-haggle" price.
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(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the 2026 model-year vehicles that appear in the January/February 2026 Kelley Blue Book® Residual Value Guide. Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order).
*Many new-car buyers do not realize that depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership. An average 2026 model-year vehicle will only retain about 45% of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $22,500 after five years. In comparison, all vehicles in Kelley Blue Book’s Top 10 for Best Resale Value in 2026 are projected to retain around 55% or more of their MSRP after the initial five-year ownership period.
