10 Cars that Hold Their Value

2016 Toyota Camry ・ Photo by Toyota

When you buy a new car, sometimes it’s tempting to choose one model over another in order to save some money, but that move could cost you in the end. If you take a longer-term view, choosing the right model now could save you thousands of dollars a few years down the road when it comes time to trade it in for a newer model. They might not be the best to drive, the safest, or the most reliable, but in the following pages we’ll list some of the vehicles with the best value retention. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, it might be worth your while to consider these cars that hold their value in your search, even if they are a bit more expensive.

Subcompact: Honda Fit

The Honda Fit is an economical, safe, and fun-to-drive subcompact car that holds its value well. The Fit’s interior is roomy, even in the rear, and it has a large cargo area, especially with the back seats folded down. The only real downside to the Fit is an engine that can seem a bit sluggish, especially when you take full advantage of the spacious interior and are carrying a full load; a high performance model with a more powerful engine would be tremendous fun. In the subcompact segment there isn’t much that comes close to matching the Fit’s versatility, so we can understand why it does so well in the used market and is a good option for a car that holds value.

Photo by Honda

Subcompact: Scion iA

The Scion iA, another car that will hold its value, is a four-door subcompact that is built in Mazda’s plant in Mexico (alongside the Mazda 2). When you drive the iA, you soon realize that lots of Mazda's DNA has made it into Scion’s car. It has a low curb weight, and though the engine can seem sluggish off the line, performance is acceptable once you get moving, and fuel economy is good. The iA’s chassis and suspension allows you to get everything possible from the engine, yet ride quality remains good. The interior is nicely laid out, but the materials are a bit hard and shiny, and while there is plenty of interior space in the front, the rear is a bit tight. The iA’s combination of positives makes it a strong contender second hand.

Photo by Toyota

Compact: Subaru WRX

With its 268 horsepower boxer engine and all-wheel drive system, the sporty Subaru WRX holds its value largely thanks to its accessible performance (especially now that a CVT transmission is available as an option). Available only as a four-door sedan, the WRX is a driver’s car; it doesn’t have the best ride, nor the prettiest interior, but it is quite roomy and the controls are straightforward and easy to use. Handling is well-balanced, and more neutral feeling than in most of its front-wheel drive competition. The more pedestrian Impreza is available as a sedan or a hatchback and also does well on the second-hand market, though not quite as well as its WRX relation.

Photo by Subaru

Compact: Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a compact car that is available in both sedan and coupe body styles. The base engine is a 2.0-liter normally-aspirated four-cylinder, while more expensive models get a smaller 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that is both more powerful and even more frugal. All Civics feature a well-controlled ride, and models with the turbocharged engine stand out for both their ride and handling. Sedan models have plenty of space in the front and rear, but the Coupe’s styling cuts into everyone’s head room. The Civic has always done a good job of holding its value, and this newest model shouldn’t be an exception, especially the more-exciting turbocharged versions.

Photo by Honda

Midsize: Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry has been one of the class leaders in the midsize market for a long time, and its resale values reflect that position. While the Camry isn’t the most engaging car in the segment, it does have a comfortable, quiet ride and a nice interior with quality materials. The controls are well layed out, and there is lots of room inside, especially in the rear. The four-cylinder is average in performance and not particularly frugal, but the V6 offers brisk acceleration that outpaces most of its rivals and a Hybrid model is available with a combined fuel economy rating of 41 miles per gallon. For those looking for a machine to get them from A to B, the Camry is hard to beat, especially among cars that hold their value.

Photo by Toyota

Midsize: Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is a midsize car that is available as either a four-door sedan or a two-door coupe, with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine. The Accord is one of the better handling midsize cars, and is one of the few in the class that offer a manual transmission in both its standard and optional engines. Rear seat room and cargo space is more than adequate in the sedan, and nearly as good in the coupe. The interior in the Accord is very nice with quality materials and good fit and finish, and also very quiet, partially thanks to active noise cancelling. The Accord is perfect for those wanting a responsible mid-size car with a bit of entertainment value and a strong resale value.

Photo by Honda

Fullsize: Toyota Avalon

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size car that is available with a standard V6 or as a hybrid that makes use of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive. The Avalon definitely isn’t a sporty car, but it drives well and its handling is secure and confidence-inspiring. The Lexus-like interior features high-quality materials and is attractive, quiet, roomy, and comfortable. The trunk is nice and large, though hybrid models do lose a bit of space to the hybrid system. The standard V6 is smooth and powerful, while the hybrid version is remarkably frugal with an overall fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon. Combine that with legendary Toyota reliability, and you have a recipe for a car that doesn’t depreciate as fast as its rivals.

Photo by Toyota

Fullsize: Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is a full-size four-door family muscle car that is available with a reasonably economical V6, a couple of powerful normally aspirated V8s or a full-on supercharged 707-horsepower V8. All engines are backed by an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, and V6 models are available with all-wheel drive (instead of the standard real-wheel drive). As the car’s external dimensions suggest, the interior is nice and roomy, though rear seat passengers could use a bit more legroom and cargo space is only average. The cabin is quite quiet (until your foot gets into the loud pedal) and makes use of high-quality materials. The Charger is one of the best affordable high-performance family cars and a great car that holds its value.

Photo by FCA Media

Luxury: Lexus GS

The mid-size Lexus GS provides a good alternative to the German luxury sedans by straddling the line between performance and comfort, and combining it with Japanese reliability. The interior is attractive and made from high-quality materials, the seats are comfortable, and there is a good amount of room for four adults (though there is seating for a fifth, they’d have to be child-sized). The GS is available with a choice of four-cylinder, V6, and hybrid powertrains, with the V6 being the best handling and most fun to drive of the bunch. An F Sport package is available that is geared toward those who want a sportier vehicle, and although it firms up the suspension for better performance, it has a less comfortable ride. In the past, the Germans had their way on the used market, but that is no longer the case, and the Lexus GS now holds its value better than most of its competition.

Photo by Lexus

Luxury: Lexus IS

The Lexus IS is a four-door sedan that should appeal to those looking for a comfortable compact luxury car. Available engines include a turbocharged four-cylinder and two normally-aspirated V6s, and, depending on the model, power is sent to either the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic or to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic. The higher performance F-Sport models make use of an Adaptive Variable Suspension and have a good balance between comfort and handling, but the IS isn’t quite able to keep up with its best rivals through the corners. The interior is very nice, with high-quality materials, though the switchgear isn’t quite up to the standards of the rest of the cabin.

Photo by Lexus