8 Toyota Cars With The Best Resale Value

All cars are sold alike, but each of them loses value in its own way. Let's talk about the silent pickpocket of car ownership: depreciation. The nanosecond your tires roll off the dealership lot, this financial grim reaper, like rust in the bodywork, starts eating away at your car's worth. On average, new vehicles will be worth about 60% less than their original sticker price after just five years. Of course, it is predicated on the overall condition of the vehicle, including paint, chassis, interior, mileage, and maintenance, which, if not properly cared for, could increase the value drop even more. Despite this being an inescapable truth for most car owners, not all are affected equally.

For decades, one brand has consistently stood as the kryptonite to depreciation's supervillainy: Toyota. And this is not marketing fluff; ask Kelley Blue Book (KBB), which has named Toyota the Best Resale Value Brand for eight of the last nine years. When you buy a Toyota, you're buying a vehicle with a story, a soul, and a name with the least repairs over time, and in parallel a near guarantee that your investment won't evaporate like a puddle in the Texas sun. Today, we're looking at Toyotas that have earned not only top marks from data wizards such as J.D. Power but also shared the screen with superheroes, cyborg assassins, secret agents, and time-traveling teenagers. Here is where smart money meets the cinema industry.

Way before the Tacoma officially became the "Taco," its ancestor was every 1980s sci-fi teenager's wish, as it was a symbol of adventure and — thanks to a certain flux capacitor-powered DeLorean — the ultimate reward for saving your family from fading out of existence. "Check out that 4x4. That is hot." With those words, Marty McFly immortalized the black 1985 Toyota SR5 Xtra Cab pickup as a piece of cinematic history. Despite the Tacoma being released ten years later (February 1995), the on-screen fame, desirability, and reliability of previous models translated directly to the Tacoma's off-screen value. It is an unquestioned titan of resale, persistently topping the charts, like the 2023 model that has a stunning 73.1% resale value.

iSeeCars, which analyzes millions of used car sales, places the Tacoma's 5-year retained value at a staggering 73.7%, while CarEdge ranks it 4th among all vehicles sold in the U.S., projecting its 5-year residual at 72.0%. Different sites, same truck, basically same results. But in mountainous states, where a capable 4x4 is a necessity, the secondhand worth is even more pronounced. Reasons include what's under the hood. The latest Tacoma features a turbocharged 2.4-liter i-FORCE four-cylinder engine, delivering up to 278 horsepower — more than enough grunt for any real-world odyssey — with a respectable fuel economy, with the EPA estimating around 21-23 MPG combined. Although the Tacoma's lineage stems from movie stars, it doesn't come with diva-level maintenance bills. CarEdge estimates a 10-year service cost of about $6,996, which is close to $2,700 less than the median for popular pickup trucks.

If the Tacoma is the light-footed hero, the Tundra is the heavyweight champion, strong enough to survive Judgment Day. In one of the most over-the-top scenes in action movie history, a young John Connor drives a first-generation Toyota Tundra to flee from the evil, relentless, but chic T-X Terminator in "Rise of the Machines" (2003). Obviously, the Tundra gets battered and, of course, bruised after crashing into almost everything in its way but proves to be the reliable escape vehicle to get through a cyborg apocalypse and thus the depreciation catastrophe. The Tundra's resale value is between 70.9% and 71.3% following five years of heavy use; just try to keep it as original as possible and its services up-to-date, according to Car Edge.

Like the Tacoma, the Tundra receives power from an i-FORCE Twin-Turbo V6 engine –– but with 3.4L –– that churns out a hefty 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. But if you need more potency, because Skynet sent two or more T-Xs, you can go for the MAX hybrid version, which offers a massive 437 horsepower and a towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds. Is the Tundra powerful? Yes. Expensive to maintain? Nope. CarEdge estimates a 10-year maintenance bill of $7,296, with the first five costing around $2,423 — which is an annual average of $606. For a truck able to tow a small house, those are incredibly sensible numbers. Some experts argue that of all the models, you should avoid buying a used 2021 Tundra if you want to save money. Anyhow, the real-world perception of the Tundra is still that of an indestructible workhorse, so buyers are willing to pay a premium for a truck they believe will never say, "I won't be back." No matter if pre-owned.

In a universe of soft-roading, car-based crossovers, the Toyota 4Runner is a glorious, body-on-frame dinosaur refusing to acknowledge the asteroid. You'd choose this type of car if you needed to, say, outrun a superhero king. In the thrilling nighttime chase through Busan, South Korea, what vehicle do the villainous Ulysses Klaue and his mercenaries drive to run away from the Wakanda team? Naturally, a menacing convoy of black, tough, modified 5th-generation Toyota 4Runners — the perfect adversary for T'Challa's high-tech Lexus. The scene is a ballet of destruction with the SUVs getting clawed, flipped, and smashed by the Black Panther, but a film crew member drove one of the surviving movie cars — which had been fully submerged in the ocean — and noted that despite the abuse, the 4R still ran.

That toughness makes it a resale-value king. CarEdge ranks it as the #2 vehicle for holding its worth, retaining an incredible 75.1% of its original price after 5 years. An iSeeCars report, a little more conservative, places the Yota Runner's 5-year market value retention at 69.9%, and KBB, even more measured, positions it 4th in its 2025 Top 10 with a projected retention of 60.0%. But in parts of the U.S. where its off-road capability is highly prized, such a percentage can surpass the national average by 15-20%. The 4Runner is powered by a single, unapologetic, and hungry 4.0 V6 engine that delivers 270 horsepower but with low fuel efficiency, sadly (EPA-estimated 17 MPG combined). But for buyers, it's not a deterrent, as the 4R compensates with its indestructibility and reasonable maintenance. The approximate 5-year upkeep for this monster is around $2,182, or $514 annually.

When it comes, all hats are taken off. For decades, the Land Cruiser has been the undisputed choice for anyone, or spy, whose journey involves traversing deserts, jungles, or war zones, and it's so over-engineered that other SUVs look like children's toys. It's the kind of automobile a secret agent would choose if he really needed to escape. Case in point is Daniel Craig's final outing as James Bond, when he finds himself in a desperate chase through the Norwegian wilderness. His vehicle? Not a gadget-laden Aston Martin, but a humble, tan-colored 90-series Toyota Land Cruiser. In that scene, a fleet of brand-new, heavily modified Land Rover Defenders and Range Rover SVRs go after 007, who, in a maneuvering masterclass, destroys the villain's newer, flashier vehicles.

The best adage here is, "If you want to go into the jungle, take a Land Rover. If you want to get out, take a Land Cruiser." And this reputation translates into an impressive resale value of 68.2% after five years. Now, engine-wise, after a brief hiatus, the Toyota "Cruisy" returned to the U.S. market with a modern and potent powertrain, the iFORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbocharged machine, which generates a robust 326 horsepower with full-time four-wheel drive, locking center and rear differentials, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. That's everything you need to become a secret agent — if you're interested. About the Cruiser's maintenance, it's more affordable than you think, with RepairPal estimating an annual upkeep of $843, cheaper than other SUVs. Is it not superb?

Do you have a particular lifestyle and don't have time to worry about your car? The Toyota RAV4 might be for you. It has been the sensible shoe of the automotive world — practical, reliable, and America's best-selling SUV, according to U.S. News and World Report. Despite being a trusty steed, only recently did it get its moment in the spotlight through the Netflix romantic comedy "A Family Affair", where it plays a supporting role. The protagonist, Zara (played by Joey King), deals with the chaotic life of a celebrity assistant from behind the wheel of her RAV4, using it as her mobile office, emotional refuge after a fight with her mom, and even a crucial tool in her romantic matchmaking schemes. So, this vehicle is a loyal friend that's always there for you, no matter what drama life throws your way.

For an SUV that sells in such large quantities, its ability to hold its worth is remarkable, with a stunning 69.4% 5-year residual value according to CarEdge — not as high as other Toyotas on this list, but still considerable. A huge part of the RAV4's appeal is its 39 MPG fuel economy with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes a healthy 203 horsepower. In its hybrid version, the power jumps to 219, achieving a stellar 41 MPG in the city. And don't forget maintenance as an extra charm because CarEdge estimates a 10-year upkeep cost of just $6,007, with the first five years projected to reach $1,939, like $429 yearly.

Simple yet lightweight, the rear-wheel-drive sport GR86 includes a manual transmission and a price tag that doesn't ask for a second mortgage. Its very soul is directly tied to the legendary Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno, the humble tofu delivery car which became a drift champion in the iconic Japanese anime and manga series Initial D. But this connection isn't just fan theory; Toyota has fully embraced it. To launch the GR86, Toyota produced a sequence of beautifully animated commercials called "GR86 x Initial D," featuring the new car in thrilling mountain pass battles against the original AE86, driven by the series' protagonist, Takumi Fujiwara. For a car so focused on fun, this car is a serious financial investment among vehicles on the market.

In a stunning display, iSeeCars ranks the GR86 as the #1 Toyota for resale value, holding onto a glorious 75.1% of its MSRP after five years. But for CarEdge, it is not that high, showing a more conservative but still attractive 60.8% retention. Under the hood of this wonder, you can appreciate a Subaru-sourced 2.4-liter flat-four "boxer" engine kicking out a lively 228 horsepower, which, linked with the slick 6-speed manual, hustles from 0-60 mph in a quick 5.4 seconds. But the GR86's secret weapon is the running costs of an economy car. A 10-year maintenance cost of around $4,822 ($2,500 less than the average for a coupé) and its five-year upkeep is projected to be as low as $1,579, which encourages you to drive hard without guilt or punishing your wallet.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Prius has been the unquestioned king of hybrids for over two decades. People love it for its efficiency but not that much for its excitement, which is exactly what made its role as an action-comedy hero car so brilliantly unexpected. In the buddy-cop parody The Other Guys (2010), Will Ferrell plays Allen Gamble, a forensic accountant who is the polar opposite of a cool cop, Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), who always mocks Gamble's bright red Prius, calling it a "tampon on wheels." But throughout the film, the unassuming hybrid shows its claws when it's riddled with bullet holes, pelted with golf balls, covered in a mountain of cocaine, and still manages to keep running, outlasting its pursuers and proving its durability. For sure, many other movies have featured the Prius, but this one really confirms what the Prius is built of.

For a high-volume compact car, the Toyota Prius holds an exceptional 5-year resale value of 64.4%, according to iSeeCars, and is one of the most reliable used cars to get and the cheapest used hybrid cars to buy in 2025 under $15,000. But this can vary depending on the region; for example, in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where demand for energy-efficient vehicles is strong, prices tend to be higher than the national average. As for strength, the modern Prius produces 196 horsepower from its 2.0-liter hybrid system, but its true super skill is fuel economy, achieving up to a remarkable 57 MPG combined. Also, it's among the least expensive cars on the road to maintain, with around $408 in services per year, saving you money at the pump and the service center, according to Repair Pal.

The Corolla, which means "small crown" in Latin, was born in Japan in 1966, came to the U.S. in 1968, and has never stopped evolving through twelve generations. It grew from 1.1 to 1.6 liters in the 1970s, and during the 1973 fuel crisis, it was a reliable and gas-saving partner. In the 1980s, the Corolla got an angular shape, a new 1.8-liter engine, and in 1997, it surpassed the VW Beetle as the best-selling car in history, with over 50 million units sold. A new century began, and a modern Corolla bloomed, bringing a more dynamic design, the comeback of the hatchback, a hybrid version, and a revamped interior featuring advanced safety features and large touchscreens. At its core, the Corolla's value lies in its rock-solid reputation.

With its efficient 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Corolla can exceed 200,000 — even 300,000 — miles with regular maintenance, and its 169 horsepower is more than enough for spirited daily driving while giving excellent fuel economy. The Corolla is also known for its low maintenance costs; the first five years' upkeep averages $1,436 — $1,100 less than the average of popular sedans, or about $362 per year as per Repair Pal. In the depreciation/appreciation niche, the standard Corolla holds an excellent 67.1% of its MSRP after five years, but the true aftermarket star here is the Corolla Hatchback, which, according to CarEdge, tops the charts with a projected 5-year resale value of a breathtaking 81.1%.