Top 10 Cars With Best Resale Value in 2013

Rick

Some people mate for life. Other people are flippers.

I’m talking about cars, but I have a feeling that some folks approach human relationships the same way they do their next car purchase.

So while there are those who don’t worry about tomorrow, for others it’s an important part of the car buying equation. That’s why Kelley Blue Book publishes its list of the top ten cars the company expects to have the best resale value. KBB estimates how much of a car’s purchase price will be available after three years and again at five years.

The 2013 list is a who’s who of SUVs. What makes the list even more interesting is that, unlike a few years ago, gas mileage apparently doesn’t matter much. Only three of the vehicles on the list come to close to decent mileage and there are no truly high fuel mileage cars on the list. That’s a big difference from just five years ago. I’ll show you that list in a minute, but first, the 2013 KBB Best Resale Honorees:

10. 2013 Scion tC

2013 Scion tC
2013 Scion tC

Small and sporty, KBB says you can expect the car to retain 60% of its value after three years and 46.5% after five years.

9. 2013 Honda Civic

2013 Honda Civic
2013 Honda Civic

Honda’s great reputation helps the Civic keep 62.5% after three years and 46.9% after five years.

8. 2013 Lexus LX

2013 Lexus LX
2013 Lexus LX

A refined big beast, it manages 65% after 3 years and 47% after 5 years.

7. 2013 Porsche Cayenne

2013 Porsche Cayenne
2013 Porsche Cayenne

Would you believe that Porsche’s SUV is now the best-selling Porsche in the US? Good reseller too at 67% of its value after 3 years and 47.3% after five years.

6. 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser
2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota version of the Lexus LX does even better, holding on to 62% in three years and 49% after five.

5. 2013 Toyota 4Runner

2013 Toyota 4Runner
2013 Toyota 4Runner

Apparently Toyota’s troubles from a few years ago haven’t hurt its resale value. It’s in the top five with 66.7% of its new car value after three years and 49 after five years.

4. 2013 Honda CR-V

2013 Honda CR-V
2013 Honda CR-V

Honda second car in the top ten. The compact SUV retains 64.7% after three years and 50.7 after five years.

3. 2013 Jeep Wrangler

2013 Jeep Wrangler
2013 Jeep Wrangler

It’s an Icon off the road and on Craigslist. Expect to pay 67.6% of its original sticker in three years and 55.4% in five years for the only American nameplate on this list.

2. 2013 Toyota Tacoma

2013 Toyota Tacoma
2013 Toyota Tacoma

The lone pickup in the top ten isn’t an American name, although it is built in the US. The Tacoma holds on to 70.3% after three years and 57% after five.

1. 2013 Toyota FJ

2013 Toyota FJ
2013 Toyota FJ

Fun plus a great deal. The Toyota FJ leads the pack in resale, holding 76% of its value after three years and 63% after five.

So how have things changed in five years? Check out the list from 2008:

  • GM Chevrolet Corvette
  • Toyota’s Scion xB
  • Honda Civic
  • Toyota Corolla
  • Infiniti G37
  • Volkswagen’s Eos
  • Mini Cooper
  • Volkswagen Jetta
  • Scion tC
  • Volkswagen Rabbit

Sporty and fuel efficient ruled the day five years ago. Interesting to point out that the Honda Civic is the only car to make both lists. That’s value that stands the test of time.