6 Trucks and Vans That Best Retain Their Value
It isn’t news that new trucks and vans lose value quickly. Most people know by now that you can expect a vehicle to be worth half its original value after three years and only a third of its original value after five years. That’s not a hard-and-fast rule though, and the truth is, some trucks and vans that depreciate faster than others. Even if you have to pay a little more in the beginning, it’s often worth it to buy one that will hold its resale value better so you don’t lose as much when you sell it.
In an effort to highlight the cars that do the best to retain their value, Edmunds compiles lists of the vehicles that are projected to retain more of their value than the competition in the next five years. So which one should you get if you’re looking to buy the truck or van that will best retain its value? Here are six segments and their winners.
Midsize Truck: Toyota Tacoma
A new Toyota Tacoma is coming soon, but for now, the current model soldiers on with limited updates and without a lot of modern features. Still, its reputation for reliability and dependability makes it a standout in the resale department. Frankly, the resale value on Toyota Tacomas is absurdly high, and it’s not uncommon for a 10-year-old Tacoma to be priced over $20,000. Then again, if you want a truck with a reputation for never dying, it makes sense that you’re going to have to pay more for the privilege.
Full-size Truck: Toyota Tundra
Much like the smaller Tacoma, the Toyota Tundra hasn’t been updated in years. Compared to the new Ford F-150, everything about it feels outdated. Also like the Tacoma, though, the Tundra has a reputation for reliability down the line that people are willing to pay more for. The Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, and Ford F-150 will all get better gas mileage and offer more modern features, but when you turn around to sell your truck in a few years, it will be the Tundra that loses you the least amount of money.
Heavy Duty Truck: Ford F-350 Super Duty
Since Japanese companies don’t bother to compete in the heavy duty segment, it’s the only one not dominated by a Toyota. Instead, in the American-automakers-only segment, it’s the Ford F-350 Super Duty that will be worth the most when you go to sell it. The Ram 2500 and the GMC Sierra 2500 HD are both credible work trucks that earned honorable mentions but couldn’t land on top. Look for the upcoming redesigned Nissan Titan XD to give some of these trucks a run for their money with its 555 pound-feet of torque and towing capabilities that rival true heavy duty trucks.
Minivan: Honda Odyssey
The minivan isn’t cool, but it is undeniably practical. Modern SUVs can try to replicate the minivan’s practicality, but when you want the best vehicle for moving lots of people and things, you still can’t beat a minivan. Kia has been getting a lot of positive press for its all-new Sedona, and the Toyota Sienna is the only one with all-wheel-drive, but the minivan that holds its value the best is the Honda Odyssey. The Odyssey even offers a vacuum that’s built into the van itself, which should be incredibly convenient for parents of small children.
Small Commercial Van: Ford Transit Connect
A lot of small businesses need a commercial vehicle to make deliveries and transport equipment, but don’t necessarily need something as large as the Ford E-Series. For those people, Ford created the Transit Connect, a smaller commercial van that meets those needs. It has plenty of cargo volume but drives like a car and gets car-like fuel economy. It’s a largely untapped segment, and not only has Ford seen a lot of sales success with the Transit Connect, it’s also seen resale values remain strong.
Large Commercial Van: Ram Promaster Cargo Van
Businesses that need commercial vans with more capability than what the Transit Connect can provide, a large commercial van will get the job done. A follow-up to the Sprinter, the Ram Promaster has all the cargo space anyone could need for a commercial job. It may be based on a Fiat, but people are willing to pay for that utility, meaning that in the long run, if you buy a Ram Promaster, it will earn back the most when you sell it.
