Skip to main content

Falling in love with a car is a fickle thing. You’re ready to take a new car home and drive it for a few years, only to fall in love with the next car and trade in the previous model. This is how it goes for most of us, which means we should consider the resale value of the cars we drive. While not necessarily the first item on your checklist for your next ride, these five cars offer the best resale value to bring the most when you fall in love with your next ride.

The Kia Rio surprises with the impressive resale value among new cars

Front angle view of silver 2023 Kia Rio, the cheapest Kia model that costs under $20,000
2023 Kia Rio | Kia

Although we’ve seen the compact and subcompact car market dwindle recently, the Kia Rio continues to be an impressive car regarding value. Kia offers an excellent package of features and affordability in this little sedan, but the real value comes when you’re ready to trade it.

After five years, Motor1 tells us the Kia Rio should offer up to 84.81% of its original price. This excellent trade-in level makes this little Kia a great car to drive.

Should you drive the Mazda3?

A light grey 2023 Mazda3 driving
2023 Mazda3 | Mazda

Even though the original price of the Mazda3 is low and affordable, you’ll be glad to drive this attractive compact car for a few years. The Mazda3 is lively, attractive, and well-built, making it one of the most desirable cars in its class. This desire factor translates to one of the cars that offer an impressive resale value for owners.

The five-year mark is the sweet spot for selling or trading the Mazda3. This is when this car should have a retained value of 84.09% of the original price. After the seven-year mark, the expected value drops sharply.

Expect impressive resale value numbers out of the Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic AWD never came to be, despite market competition. Is this one of the cars with the best resale value for you?
2022 Honda Civic | Honda

One of the most popular cars in the market is the Honda Civic. This compact car has several body configurations and power levels, offering an option for nearly every driver. The Civic is also one of the longest-running names in the Honda lineup, which has become one of the most reliable brands in the market. These factors translate to one of the market’s best cars for resale value.

When it’s time to trade the Honda Civic and drive something else, you should receive up to 84% of the original value at the five-year mark.

Do any sports cars offer impressive resale value figures? The Chevrolet Camaro does

The Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE is a beast and a bargain. You'll find great resale value when you drive this car.
Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE | General Motors

Here’s a case of having your cake and eating it too. If you drive the classic Chevy Camaro sports car, you will enjoy an impressive level of value when it’s time to trade it for your next ride. This muscle car offers several power options and performance qualities, making it one of the most fun and active cars to drive.

When you’ve had five years of fun in the Chevy Camaro, it should show an excellent return of 83.47% on your investment.

How much should you receive when trading a Volkswagen Jetta?

Blue 2022 Volkswagen Jetta on a Highway.  This is one of the cars with the best resale value.
2022 Volkswagen Jetta | Volkswagen

We don’t see many mainstream German cars in the North American auto market. Volkswagen is the most common name in this category, and the Jetta is one of the most popular cars from this brand. The VW Jetta is an excellent small car to drive, and it’s one of the best cars in terms of resale value.

After you’ve spent five years driving the Volkswagen Jetta, you should receive an average of 83.26% in value during a trade of this compact German sedan.

Do you want to learn more about which cars offer the best resale value figures? Check out this video below:

Related

Surprising Omissions in the 5 Pickup Trucks With the Highest Resale Value