Not The Highlander: This Toyota Model Has The Best 5-Year Resale Value For 2026

According to an iSeeCars study, the average person keeps a new car for 8.4 years. So, while you may not plan to resell your new vehicle anytime soon, buying a car with strong resale value might offer some peace of mind, knowing you could sell it for a good price down the road. Kelley Blue Book found that the 2026 vehicle with the best projected resale value is the Toyota Tacoma, a midsize pickup with a variety of trims ranging from daily driver to backroads bulldozer. KBB estimates that the Toyota Tacoma will retain approximately 63% of its original MSRP after five years. Depending on your trim choice, you might buy a new 2026 Toyota Tacoma for between $34,290 and $46,160 and resell it five years later for about $21,602 to $29,080. For comparison, the average vehicle in KBB's study was found to keep only 44.7% of its original MSRP after five years.

The Highlander, another well-known Toyota model, surprisingly didn't make the top 10 in KBB's Best Resale Value Awards, which Toyota dominated by claiming five of the 10 spots. The Tundra ranked second, with a projected resale value of 59.9% of its MSRP, followed by the 4Runner in third place at 58%. Depreciation, the loss of a vehicle's value, begins as soon as you take your new car off the lot. But vehicles can depreciate at different rates depending on factors like mileage, condition, and changes to newer models. The Toyota Tacoma's slow depreciation is largely thanks to reliability and good economics.

Even when searching for affordable used Toyota models, buyers may be willing to pay more for a reliable vehicle than one that's at risk of breaking down on the way home. Toyota Motor Corporation received the most model-level awards in JD Power's 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, including an award for the Toyota Tacoma, which ranked highest in the midsize pickup segment. This reputation for reliability may help support the Tacoma's resale value, as used-car buyers want to feel confident their purchase will last.

CarEdge estimates that a Toyota Tacoma will cost $2,241 in maintenance and repairs during its first five years of ownership, or $2,463 less than the average for pickup trucks. The Tacoma also ranks No. 32 of 186 in CarEdge's list of the cheapest vehicles to insure, with an estimated annual premium of $2,050 for full coverage, making it less expensive to insure than many other pickups. These relatively affordable ownership costs boost the Tacoma's resale value as buyers are willing to pay more upfront for a vehicle that will save them money in the long run.