Kelley Blue Book says the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is predicted to return the best resale value among all 2026 vehicles.ToyotaWith the average transaction price of a new vehicle approaching the $60,000 mark, and car loan payments extending to as much as six or even seven years to keep payments affordable, choosing a model that holds onto its original value the most tenaciously is paramount. Depreciation is a motorist’s most substantial ownership cost. Having a higher resale value means an owner will be able to pocket additional cash down the road or make a larger down payment on his or her next vehicle. It’s an especially important consideration for those shopping among costlier rides, simply because there’s more money at stake to lose.Resale value is also a critical factor in new-vehicle leasing, as monthly payments are based on the difference between the transaction price and what the leasing company predicts the vehicle will be worth the end of the term.According to the valuation experts at Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the average new vehicle can be expected to hold onto about 45% of its original value after a typical five-year ownership period. Of course a given model’s ultimate resale value will depend on its mileage, location and condition, but all else being equal, that means a car, truck or SUV’s priced at $60,000 today will be worth around $22,500 after five years on the road. To help consumers make informed buying decisions in this regard, the valuation experts at KBB just released their annual Best Resale Values Awards, which single out the models expected to retain the highest percentage of their original worth after five years of faithful service.MORE FOR YOUAccording to KBB’s data, the top performers in this regard for 2026 – mainly trucks, SUVs and sports cars – are predicted to retain at least 53.4% of their transaction prices after 60 months, with the midsize Toyota Tacoma pickup truck topping the list at an expected 63% of its original value after five years. That means a Tacoma going out the door for the aforementioned $50,000 would be worth $31,500 at trade-in time, which beats the industry average by a considerable $9,000. Among automakers, KBB says Toyota purchasers can expect their rides to retain the best resale values among mainstream brands (an average of 53%) for the sixth consecutive year. Meanwhile, the automaker’s upscale division, Lexus, taking top honors among luxury nameplates for the fifth time in a row (an average 47%). In addition, KBB cites resale leaders in 25 separate categories here, but I’m calling out the top 10 overall winners for the 2026 model year below.KBB says its resale rates 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.The reason some vehicles inherently retain more of their original values than others is based on a plethora of factors. These include local supply and demand issues, and a how deep the discounts or generous the automakers’ incentives it originally took to sell a given vehicle – bigger cash-back rebates tend to accelerate a given model’s rate of depreciation. Regional preferences also affect a given model’s long-term value – all-wheel-drive SUVs are in greater demand in snowy parts of the country, for example, while burly pickup trucks are most popular in wide-open states like Texas, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota.KBB’s Overall Resale Value Award Winners For 2026Toyota Tacoma: 63.0%Toyota Tundra: 59.9%Toyota 4Runner: 58.0%Toyota GR Supra: 56.0%Mercedes-Benz G-Class: 55.0%Toyota Sienna :54.3%Ford Maverick: 54.1%Chevrolet Corvette: 54.0%Porsche 911: 53.9%Ford Ranger: 53.4%Source: Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards.