Why Do Toyotas Hold Value so Well? (Buy These Models)

Toyota is one of the most popular car brands in the world. But does it hold value well?

Today we’ll find it out!

Why Do Toyotas Keep Their Value so Well?

Toyota cars hold their value incredibly well because it’s one of the most reliable and popular brands in the world. Thus, there is a lot of demand for Toyota and people are ready to buy it for more money.

It all boils down to a simple economy. If something is in the demand, there is a higher price for that.

Toyotas are extremely popular and they hold value way better than for example luxury brands like BMW or Audi. The german cars are only popular among richer people, while Toyota aims in the market where almost everyone will be able to afford their cars.

The average Toyota holds 75% of the value in the first 3 years and 63% after 5 years, which makes Toyota one of the slowest depreciating car brands in the world.

Here’s the 3 and 5-year depreciation of the most popular Toyota models.

Toyota model3 year depreciation5 year depreciation
1. Tacoma18%27%
2. Corolla 26%35%
3. 4Runner27%35%
4. Tundra23%37%
5. Highlander25%34%
6. Rav-423%36%
7. Sienna26%43%
8. Camry28%47%

Also read: Mazda vs. Toyota (Depreciation Compared!)

8 Toyotas that Hold Value Most

This ranking will include only the most popular Toyotas.

1. Toyota Tacoma

The off-road is nothing without a Toyota Tacoma. It is a durable, high configurable car equipped with driver assists. The 3% per year depreciation is really, really tempting.

Toyota Tacoma depreciates on average 18% in the first 3 years and 27% in the first 5 years (on average 3% per year).

The selling price when new is $38.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
188%$4.560$33.440
286%$5.320$32.680
382%$6.840$31.160
478%$8.360$29.640
573%$10.260$27.740
666%$12.920$25.080
760%$15.200$22.800
857%$16.340$21.660
952%$18.240$19.760
1047%$20.140$17.860
1145%$20.900$17.100
1242%$22.040$15.960
2. Toyota Corolla

Everyone knows Corolla. It’s a popular, comfortable, and spacious sedan. Some say that engines could be more powerful, but its 3,3% depreciation makes this car one of the most affordable sedans available on the market.

Toyota Corolla depreciates on average 26% in the first 3 years and 35% in the first 5 years (on average 3,3% per year).

The selling price when new is $22.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
180%$4.400$17.600
276%$5.280$16.720
374%$5.720$16.280
469%$6.820$15.180
565%$7.700$14.300
658%$9.240$12.760
754%$10.120$11.880
852%$10.560$11.440
949%$11.220$10.780
1045%$12.100$9.900
1143%$12.540$9.460
1240%$13.200$8.800

Also read: Mazda vs Toyota: Which Brand is More Reliable?

3. Toyota 4Runner

Packed with great features 4Runner is a great car. It loses its value really, really slow, so if you’re looking for a cheap SUV (don’t include fuel economy), it might be the best pick.

Toyota 4Runner depreciates on average 27% in the first 3 years and 35% in the first 5 years (on average 3,5% per year).

The selling price when new is $45.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
180%$9.000$36.000
275%$11.250$33.750
373%$12.150$32.850
467%$14.850$30.150
565%$15.750$29.250
660%$18.000$27.000
755%$20.250$24.750
847%$23.850$21.150
943%$25.650$19.350
1042%$26.100$18.900
1140%$27.000$18.000
1237%$28.350$16.650

Also read: Honda vs. Toyota- Resale Value (1-10 Years)

4. Toyota Tundra

Tundra is a good option for off-road enthusiasts. It has many great features, but of course, you have to keep in mind it’s not the most fuel-efficient car out there. But the quality of this car is fantastic.

Toyota Tundra depreciates on average 23% in the first 3 years and 37% in the first 5 years (on average 4% per year).

The selling price when new is $54.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
185%$8.100$45.900
282%$9.720$44.280
377%$12.420$41.580
471%$15.660$38.340
563%$19.980$34.020
660%$21.600$32.400
757%$23.220$30.780
848%$28.080$25.920
946%$29.160$24.840
1042%$31.320$22.680
1140%$32.400$21.600
1237%$34.020$19.980
5. Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander looks like a typical Japanese car. It has many features like driver assistance even in the standard trim. It’s definitely a good value, and the depreciation rate might be appealing for almost everyone.

Toyota Highlander depreciates on average 25% in the first 3 years and 34% in the first 5 years (on average 4,3% per year).

The selling price when new is $42.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
185%$6.300$35.700
278%$9.240$32.760
375%$10.500$31.500
473%$11.340$30.660
566%$14.280$27.720
659%$17.220$24.780
752%$20.160$21.840
845%$23.100$18.900
942%$24.360$17.640
1038%$26.040$15.960
1136%$26.880$15.120
1233%$28.140$13.860

Also read: Are Toyotas Reliable? Which Toyotas aren’t?

6. Toyota Rav-4

Rav-4 has an original look, it’s roomy and practical. It will definitely satisfy a wide variety of tastes. Top trims might be pricey, but even in the basic version, it will give you all you need from an SUV like this.

Toyota Rav-4 depreciates on average 23% in the first 3 years and 36% in the first 5 years (on average 4,6% per year).

The selling price when new is $30.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
186%$4.200$25.800
284%$4.800$25.200
377%$6.900$23.100
470%$9.000$21.000
564%$10.800$19.200
657%$12.900$17.100
750%$15.000$15.000
847%$15.900$14.100
941%$17.700$12.300
1036%$19.200$10.800
1133%$20.100$9.900
1230%$21.000$9.000
7. Toyota Sienna

The only minivan on this list is a Toyota Sienna. It has a nice styling, smooth ride and like many Toyotas, it’s available in the hybrid version. Maybe it’s not the most powerful car, but it’s safe and great for the whole family.

Toyota Sienna depreciates on average 26% in the first 3 years and 43% in the first 5 years (on average 4,6% per year).

The selling price when new is $38.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
185%$5.700$32.300
277%$8.740$29.260
374%$9.880$28.120
466%$12.920$25.080
557%$16.340$21.660
652%$18.240$19.760
746%$20.520$17.480
842%$22.040$15.960
937%$23.940$14.060
1034%$25.080$12.920
1133%$25.460$12.540
1230%$26.600$11.400

Also read: 3 Reasons Why Minivans are so Expensive

8. Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry is the biggest sedan of this Japanese automaker. Although it’s considered a luxury car, it doesn’t stand out, so it’s a perfect car for those looking for a solid car without too many extras that will not ruin their budget.

Toyota Sienna depreciates on average 28% in the first 3 years and 47% in the first 5 years (on average 4,6% per year).

The selling price when new is $28.000.

Vehicle AgeResidual ValueDepreciationVehicle Worth
183%$4.760$23.240
274%$7.280$20.720
372%$7.840$20.160
463%$10.360$17.640
553%$13.160$14.840
650%$14.000$14.000
744%$15.680$12.320
841%$16.520$11.480
938%$17.360$10.640
1032%$19.040$8.960
1130%$19.600$8.400
1227%$20.440$7.560

When is the Best Time to Buy a Toyota?

It’s best to buy a Toyota that’s 1 or 2 years old when it already lost 15-20% of its value and its depreciation will be from now way lower- in most cases on average less than 3% per year.

We all know that it isn’t worth buying a brand-new car. The same applies to Toyota that loses even up to 20% after it drives the first mile. It’s worth waiting another year to buy a new Toyota way cheaper.

Some brands like BMW lose up to 25% in the first year, so 20 or even 15% value loss in the first year isn’t so painful when it comes to Toyota. If you were to buy a brand new car, Toyota might be one of the best choices for you, especially Tacoma or Rav-4.

Toyota compared to other brands holds its value incredibly well. Here’s the comparison.

Car brand3 year value retention5 year value retention
Toyota75%63%
Mazda72%59%
Audi64%46%
Alfa Romeo63,5%47%
BMW62%46%
Mercedes-Benz61%49%

As you can see, Toyota holds its value way better than luxury brands and even better than Mazda.