Blue Book Best Resale Value Award Winners For 2026

Toyota, Lexus Brands Hold Best Resale Value After Five Years of Ownership

ATLANTA, March 19, 2026 -- While most new-car shoppers understand that their vehicle will lose value over time, many would be shocked to learn that depreciation can be the single largest expense they will incur. Beyond that, the extent to which one car's resale value can vary in comparison to another can be staggering, often making the difference of hundreds-to-thousands of dollars over the first years of ownership. To help new-car buyers understand the importance of resale value so they can shop smart, Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand, today announces the 2026 model-year brand, category and top 10 winners of the 24^th annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period.

"For the sixth consecutive year, Toyota holds the top spot for Best Resale Value Brand, along with its sister company Lexus winning Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand for the fifth consecutive year," said Rheia Szymczyk, senior manager, valuation and analysis operations for Kelley Blue Book. "Toyota and Lexus continue to reign supreme with top average residual values, meaning their vehicles are projected to retain more of their original MSRP over the first five years of ownership in comparison to other mainstream and luxury brand averages, respectively. Kelley Blue Book's 2026 Best Resale Value: Brand winner Toyota boasts an overall resale value average of 53%, while the Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand winner Lexus features an overall resale value average of 47%."

This year marks the 10^th Best Resale Value: Brand win for Toyota, which previously captured the same honors in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. For 2026, Lexus celebrates its fifth consecutive win, and seventh time overall taking home the award for Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand.

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.

Resale value for new vehicles can vary greatly. Vehicles with average or below-average resale values generally are plentiful in the marketplace and easy to find, but certain vehicles are projected to hold their value better than others. While much of a vehicle's resale value is based on supply and demand, as well as current and projected future market conditions, vehicles that retain their value best typically are discounted the least and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest and dealer profit.

Now in its 24^th year, Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book^® Official Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book^® Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review the output from statistical models built upon millions of transactions. Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards. Low-volume vehicles are excluded from award consideration, except in the electric, luxury and sports car categories.

Residual values reflect projected future auction values for vehicles in average condition with 75,000 miles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period..