Most car buyers have heard the saying, "your new car loses value the moment you drive it off the dealer's lot!" but they may be surprised to know that depreciation can be one of the biggest expenses they will encounter while owning a vehicle. Understanding a car's resale value, and the extent of how much this amount can vary from one model to another, can make the difference of hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over time. To help new-car buyers shop smart, Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive brand, today announces the 2025 model-year brand, category and top 10 winners of the 23^rd annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period.

"Toyota continues to ride the tide of its winning streak by taking home top honors for Best Resale Value: Brand, along with its sister company Lexus winning Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand," said Rheia Szymczyk, senior manager, valuation and analysis operations for Kelley Blue Book. "While there are several repeat winners on this year's Best Resale Value list, notable standouts include a few new models winning the award for the first time, especially in the ever-expanding electric vehicle categories."

(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the 2025 model-year vehicles that appear in the January/February 2025 Kelley Blue Book^â Residual Value Guide. Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order).

Many new-car buyers do not realize that depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership. An average 2025 model-year vehicle will only retain about 45% of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $22,500 after five years. In comparison, all vehicles in Kelley Blue Book's Top 10 for Best Resale Value in 2025 are projected to retain around 53% or more of their MSRP after the initial five-year ownership period.

Resale value for new vehicles can vary greatly. Vehicles with average or below-average resale values generally are plentiful in the marketplace and easy to find, but certain vehicles are projected to hold their value better than others. While much of a vehicle's resale value is based on supply and demand, as well as current and projected future market conditions, vehicles that retain their value best typically are discounted the least and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest.

Now in its 23^rd year, Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book^® Official Residual Value Guide. Kelley Blue Book^® Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review the output from statistical models built upon millions of transactions. Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards. Low-volume vehicles are excluded from award consideration, except in the electric, luxury and sports car categories.

Residual values reflect projected future auction values for vehicles in average condition with 75,000 miles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period. Kelley Blue Book's residual values are used by manufacturers, banks, financial institutions and the automotive leasing industry. For more information about Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards, visit https://www.kbb.com/awards/best-resale-value-cars-trucks-suvs/.