2012 Nissan Versa
Depreciation: 33.3% or $4,878 off Original MSRP (Details Below)
You’ll notice a theme on this list, as cars generally fall into one of two categories: trucks and SUVs or small compact cars. As you may have guessed, the Nissan Versa falls into the latter camp. 2012 was the first year of the current-generation Versa.
A new Versa in 2012 cost $14,631, and frankly there’s not much more water to drain from that pool. Even with a price decrease of 33.3 percent, you’re only losing about $4,800 off the original price – down to $9,753. For that price, you still get a spacious cabin and trunk, but cheap materials.
2012 Honda CR-V
Depreciation: 31.9% or $9,053 off Original MSRP (Details Below)
Honda debuted the latest generation of its popular CR-V crossover in 2012, where it was bought for an average price of $28,397. This generation received a facelift in 2015, but has mostly carried over to today. Buy a 2012 today, and you can expect to pay 31.9 percent less – or an average price of $19,344.
If bought new or pre-owned, the ’12 CR-V comes with plenty of standard safety features, a cavernous cargo area, and a comfortable, spacious back seat. It also earns a five-star overall crash test rating from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick. The 2016 CR-V is first among U.S. News & World Report Rankings of affordable compact SUVs.
2012 Toyota Tundra
Depreciation: 31.8% or $13,442 off Original MSRP (Details Below)
At $42,208, the Toyota Tundra has the highest average new transaction price on this list. So even after losing 31.8 percent of its value, you are still paying on average $28,766 for a five-year old pickup. That’s good news if you are trying to trade yours in for a new one!
The second-generation Tundra has been on sale since 2007 and is still sold today, albeit with visual and mechanical updates through the years. The 2012 model has been praised for an abundance of rear legroom in its Double Cab models and a responsive 5.7-liter V8 engine, although its cabin feels cheap at times.
2012 Honda Fit
Depreciation: 31.4% or $5,786 off Original MSRP (Details Below)
The Honda Fit has long been the car upon which other subcompacts are measured. It makes incredibly good use of its space, has an incredibly versatile seating system, has strong fuel economy (topping out at 35 mpg on the highway), and is actually fun to drive!
Value was the name of the game when the Fit was a top-seller in 2012, selling with an average price of $18,445. Value is still the theme now, losing only 31.4 percent of its value – selling for $12,659 on average today. For that low price you get a car that was the No. 1 hatchback in U.S News & World Report’s rankings.
2012 Subaru Impreza
Depreciation: 27.4% or $6,199 off Original MSRP (Details Below)
Like we said – trucks and compacts. 2012 marked a complete redesign of the Impreza that has been carried over to today. (The WRX would soldier on unchanged, and be replaced later). This fourth-generation Subaru features standard all-wheel drive and a spacious cabin, but the engine has been described as lackluster.
In the first full year for the new Impreza, the average transaction price was $22,595. After losing just 27.4 percent of its value, it currently has an average transaction price of $16,396.
2012 Toyota 4Runner
Depreciation: 27% or $10,908 off Original MSRP (Details Below)
Like the Tundra, the 4Runner started life on the pricey side. Those who paid an average price of $40,417 in 2012 are rewarded with a loss of only 27 percent over five years. Pre-owned ‘12s are crossing dealer lots for $29,508 – pretty impressive for a car that’s half-a-decade old.
And why are people still paying top dollar for these SUVs? It’s one of the few vehicles still sold today that offer impressive off-road capability and three rows of seating. That third row is optional, but if selected the 4Runner can go places no other family hauler can.
2012 Jeep Wrangler
Depreciation: 26.8% or $8,907 off Original MSRP
Ask around automotive circles what vehicles hold their value the most, and you can almost guarantee the Wrangler will come up. From the off-road capability to the timeless styling, there is nothing like it on the road today. That passion and demand is reflected in a small depreciation rate.
The average price of a new two-door Jeep Wrangler in 2012 was $33,282, and in the elapsed time has lost just 26.8 percent of its former price – now averaging $24,375 for a pre-owned Wrangler. Spend any time looking for one of these iconic SUVs online and you’ll see similarly high prices for a five-year old Wrangler.
2012 Toyota Tacoma
Depreciation: 26.3% or $8,941 off Original MSRP
Like the Wrangler, the Tacoma is a vehicle sought after for its off-road prowess. What the Tacoma also offers is a fully enclosed cabin. In 2012, the Tacoma was updated inside and out and earned U.S. News & World Report’s Best Compact Pickup for the Money award.
A new Tacoma in 2012 averaged $34,030, and in five years lost just 26.3 percent of its value. Meaning you’ll be paying $25,088 for a ’12 today. The Tacoma gives you a spacious, comfortable cabin with good materials and a surprisingly fresh infotainment system.
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Depreciation: 24% or $9,238 off Original MSRP
Take all the demand associated with the Jeep Wrangler, and add two more doors. That’s why this four-door off-roading machine is so desirable. It loses only 24 percent of its value – a new Wrangler Unlimited that cost $38,432 still costs an average of $29,195.
For that price you get standard four-wheel drive, a powerful V6, and the ability to traverse snow, ice, mud, sand, and any other terrain Mother Earth can throw at the Wrangler. The removable hard-top and retractable soft-top mean that there’s no down season for the Wrangler when it comes to used car sales.
2012 Nissan Frontier
Depreciation: 22.5% or $6,263 off Original MSRP
The current-generation Nissan Frontier has been on sale in North America since the 2005 model year, and has carried over to today with minimal changes. The 2012 Frontier was in the meat of that run. It provides expected equipment from a small pickup, such as four-wheel drive and a V6 engine.
Though it might not be as an iconic name as the Wrangler, its packaging includes desirable systems like Nissan’s Utili-Track roof tie-downs. In fact, with deprecation of 22.5 percent over five years ($27,361 down to now $21,199), it retains more of its value than any other vehicle on this list!
More Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Be sure to check out our used car rankings to see which of your favorites rank near the top. If you’re looking for a new car, take a look at our finance and lease deal pages. Then, don’t forget to use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program, which saves shoppers an average of $3,279 on their new car purchase.
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What Cars Have the Best Resale Value?
Car ownership is seldom looked at an investment in an asset. Cars are driven, get dinged up, repaired, and driven some more. In that time, they become less valuable, and when you go to trade in or sell that vehicle, you learn the exact price of your time with it.
But not all car cars fall off a cliff in terms of value. In fact, some retain a good deal of value and only depreciate at a minimal rate (as automotive attrition goes).
A recent study from iSeeCars.com analyzed 9 million pre-owned vehicle sales in the last five years. Specifically, it compared the average sales prices to their current average pre-owned transaction price. If your car is on the following list, you have the benefit of a valuable asset if trading in for a new vehicle – or a car that’s worth holding on to! We've already seen what cars depreciate the fastest, now let's check out the 10 cars with the smallest rates of depreciation over five years.