As a wholesale car dealer, you’re likely familiar with how quickly depreciation can take effect and how much choosing cars with good resale value matters. When you’re selling used cars, choosing cars with the best resale value makes good business sense. Fortunately, there are key trends to consider and certain models that retain their value quite well.

Car Resale Trends

According to a July 2022 report from Cox Automotive, data shows that resale values are declining overall from the record highs the wholesale industry saw in the winter of 2021-2022.¹⁶ Their reporting predicts the used car industry returning to more normal prices for used cars over the next year — and that may be a good thing.¹⁸

Used car prices are still up across the board though. The amount by which resale values are inflated compared to pre-pandemic values largely depends on vehicle age and type. Cars.com data indicates that older used cars have seen the most dramatic increase in resale value. At the same time, newer models have had higher resale prices since the start of 2021, but the increase is more modest compared to older models.¹⁵ 

J.D. Power predicts used-vehicle values will return to normal prices in late 2022 and early 2023 since new-car inventory is starting to stabilize. This means that the more used cars you can sell now, the better their resale value will be.¹⁴

Falling used car prices also means now is a better time to buy used than last year. With new car prices still high, buying new is still not a recommended move for consumers. Some experts predict new car prices staying high, but if gas prices stay high too, it may signal an increase in new electric vehicles. If and when that happens, it’ll be important to prepare for more of your customers heading back to the new car search. But for now, these conditions mean lots of opportunities for wholesale dealers.¹⁴

Regional Trends

You’ll notice that a good portion of the top 10 picks are pickup trucks. So if you sell cars in states like Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, or South Dakota, you may be able to sell them extra fast.¹⁹ 

So, which cars are the best choices for your inventory? 

Top 10 Resale Value Cars 

The following vehicles are resale value award-winners, according to Kelley Blue Book’s 2022 evaluation. Besides these top 10 best cars for resale, it’s also worth noting that Toyota Won KBB’s Best Resale Value award in 2021. ⁵

2022 Toyota Tundra

Toyota has a super-hot offering in the Tundra.¹  This truck offers more capabilities than its predecessors and an upgraded look. The interior is comfortable and consists of premium materials.¹⁰

This model is seeing long delays from manufacturers because of supply chain issues, so they’re in high demand.³ 

Vehicle type: Pickup truck

Engine type: Two powertrain options, one of which is a hybrid

Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive (4X2) is the standard option but 4-wheel drive (4X4) is available on every trim level.

Average price: Starts at around $35,950.

2022 GMC Sierra

The GMC Sierra is another top pick for retained value in the pickup truck category. The base 4.3-liter V6 is new in 2022 and there’s a turbo 4-cylinder option that gets more power.⁹

Vehicle type: Pickup truck

Engine type: Base model has a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Drive type: 4-wheel drive.

Average price: Starts around $34,600, plus destination charges.

2022 Toyota Tacoma

Resale value is one of the top strengths of the Toyota Tacoma as it boasts high quality and reliability. It has better safety models than previous model years as well.⁸

Vehicle type: Pickup truck

Engine type: Base model has a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Drive type: 4-wheel drive.

Average price: Starts around $34,600, plus destination charges.

2022 Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette has outstanding residual value. Experts recognize it as one of the best values among sports cars. Your customers looking for a high-quality supercar but who can’t quite afford more expensive luxury cars would be well-advised to choose the Corvette.¹¹

Vehicle type: Coupe

Engine type: Standard V8 engine with mid-engine layout.

Drive type: Rear-wheel drive.

Average price: The 2022 Corvette starts around $60,900 for the coupe and $68,400 for the convertible. There’s also a 3LT convertible model that starts around $79,850.

2022 Ford Maverick

The Ford Maverick is an affordable and compact option for your customers who want a pickup truck, but don’t want to break the bank for one. Note that the hybrid option only has front-wheel drive available.¹⁴

Vehicle type: Pickup truck

Engine type: Hybrid powertrain for base model; turbocharged 2.0-liter engine for AWD model

Drive type: Front-wheel drive for base model; all-wheel drive available for higher-end models

Average price: Starts at $19,995

2022 Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is a comfortable option for your customers seeking a midsize SUV with off-road capabilities. While the engine is old-school compared to other SUVs in its class, 2022 updates like its tech suite have made it more modern in other areas.⁷

Vehicle type: Midsize SUV

Engine type: V6 engine.

Drive type: Rear-wheel drive for the base model; 4-wheel drive available.

Average price: Starts around $37,605.

2022 Tesla Model X

The Model X has excellent resale value for good reason: up to 348 miles of range, interior comfort, and a fun drive. However, it isn’t available in all 50 states, so keep that in mind if you’re considering this model for your inventory.¹⁵

Vehicle type: Luxury SUV

Engine type: Electric

Drive type: All-wheel drive comes standard

Average price: Starts around $98,940 (Long Range model).

2022 Ford F-Series

Ford F-Series vehicles are notorious for being top-quality trucks. Your customers with heavy-duty hauling and towing needs would be well-advised to choose one.⁶

Vehicle type: Full-size pickup truck

Engine type: V6 or V8 engine, depending on the model.

Drive type: Rear-wheel drive is standard; 4-wheel drive is an option for the F150.

Average price: The 2022 Ford F150 starts around $29,640.

2022 Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger won the 2021 5-Year Cost to Own award for midsize pickups. It has a fuel-efficient and powerful engine and excellent towing capabilities.¹³

Vehicle type: Midsize pickup truck

Engine type: 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Drive type: Rear-wheel drive for the base model; 4-wheel drive available.

Average price: Starts around $25,285.

2022 Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator is available in a bunch of different versions and resembles the Jeep Wrangler. It also offers uniqueness in both style and features: it’s the only vehicle of its class with removable doors.¹⁶

Vehicle type: Midsize truck

Engine type: 3.6-liter V6 for the base model.

Drive type: 4-wheel drive.

Average price: Starts at around $35,610.

Looking at The Next Five Years

Outside of KBB’s awards, there are some solid choices you may want to consider that have great resale value, particularly for the next five years. Some additional cars to consider based on this criteria are the Porsche 911, Kia Rio, Mazda3, Honda Civic, and GMC Canyon.⁴

Some luxury brands have models that appreciate in value over time. Luxury cars like the Lexus LFA, Ferrari 458 Italia, and the Ford GT are supercars that all appreciate in value. These are rare.²

Find Great Deals on Cars, Trucks, and SUVs That Hold Their Value At ACV Online Auctions!

Sourcing cars with great resale value doesn’t need to be difficult. Online auctions can make finding the right ones for your inventory efficient and reliable. 

So, how do online car auctions work? At ACV auctions, our market report uses real-time data to provide a price range for a vehicle based on VIN or Year/Make/Model/Trim, so you never overpay. Our powerful search filters allow you to easily zero in on the vehicles you want or get alerts the moment they hit the auction block. 

Ready to source great cars that hold their value for your inventory today? Start by simply registering below. We look forward to working with you at ACV Auctions!

Sources

1. Cline, A. (2022, July 24). Used 2022 Toyota Tundra Pickup Trucks Are a Hot Resale Item. MotorBiscuit. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.motorbiscuit.com/used-2022-toyota-tundra-pickup-trucks-hot-resale-item/
2. Chinn, A. (2022, June 30). Supercars That Appreciate In Value (12 Of The Best). The Car Investor. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://thecarinvestor.com/supercars-that-appreciate-in-value/
3. DeLorenzo, M. (2022, January 21). 2021 Best Resale Value Brand: Toyota. Kelley Blue Book. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/awards/best-resale-value-car-brand/
4. Gorzelany, J. (2022, June 21). Cars With The Best Resale Values. Motor1.Com. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.motor1.com/features/451384/best-resale-value-cars/
5. Holderith, P. (2021, November 22). Reports Claim 18-Month Wait for the 2022 Toyota Tundra. That’s Not the Full Story. The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/news/43241/reports-claim-18-month-wait-for-the-2022-toyota-tundra-thats-not-the-full-story
6. KBB Editors. (2022, May 23). New 2022 Ford F150 Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/ford/f150/
7. Nagy, B. (2022a, February 27). New 2022 Toyota 4Runner Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/toyota/4runner/
8. Nagy, B. (2022b, May 4). New 2022 Toyota Tacoma Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/toyota/tacoma/
9. Nagy, B. (2022c, June 27). New 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. https://www.kbb.com/gmc/sierra-1500/
10. Nagy, B. (2022d, June 30). New 2022 Toyota Tundra Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/toyota/tundra/
11. Tucker, S. (2022a, January 30). 2022 Chevy Corvette Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/corvette/2022/
12. Tucker, S. (2022b, February 14). New 2022 Jeep Gladiator Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/jeep/gladiator/2022/
13. Tucker, S. (2022c, March 24). 2022 Ford Ranger: What We Know So Far | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/ford/ranger/
14. Tucker, S. (2022d, May 3). New 2022 Ford Maverick Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/ford/maverick/
15. Tucker, S. (2022e, May 4). New 2022 Tesla Model X Reviews, Pricing & Specs | Kelley Blue Book. KBB. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/tesla/model-x/
16. Tucker, S. (2022f, August 10). Is Now the Time to Buy, Sell, or Trade-in a Car? Kelley Blue Book. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/is-now-the-time-to-buy-sell-or-trade-in-a-used-car/#link7
17. Ulitskaya, J. (2022, August 5). When Will Used-Car Prices Drop? 3 Things Car Shoppers Should Know. Cars.Com. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.cars.com/articles/when-will-used-car-prices-drop-3-things-car-shoppers-should-know-446525/
18. The Used-Vehicle Market Is Beginning To Feel Normal Again, and That Is Good News for the Industry. (2022, July 25). Cox Automotive Inc. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.coxautoinc.com/market-insights/the-used-vehicle-market-is-beginning-to-feel-normal-again-and-that-is-good-news-for-the-industry/#:%7E:text=As%20prices%20decline%2C%20in%20a,used%20vehicles%20than%20last%20year.
19. Which states drive the most pickup trucks and where does Oklahoma rank? (2021, September 19). Oklahoma’s News 4. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://kfor.com/news/which-states-drive-the-most-pickup-trucks-and-where-does-oklahoma-rank/

‍