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Not All Cars Are Money Pits: 10 Cars That Are Worth More Used Than New

Not All Cars Are Money Pits: 10 Cars That Are Worth More Used Than New

The car market can often defy logic. As we are aware, buying used saves money in general, as new cars lose a potential 30% of their value within two years. Yet, this isn’t always the case: some used models often sell for above the MSRP of their newer rivals.

It doesn’t make sense, but there are reasons for this. For instance, inventory may have been disrupted by market events, such as the 2022 semiconductor shortage. Moreover, when demand outstrips supply, certain vehicles become more desirable, which only drives wider interest.

Which cars make the grade for this unique selection? Using the latest iSeeCars listings data, among other sources, we have compiled this fleet of stalwarts. As you can probably guess, Toyota is quite the overperformer.

If you’re looking for a new car to get you from point A to B and back, these might be worth considering. 

1. Ford Maverick

Zionsville - August 1, 2025: Ford Maverick XL Truck display at a dealership. Ford offers the Maverick with a 2.5L hybrid engine. MY:2025

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

The Ford Maverick boasts a hybrid powertrain option that can deliver strong fuel economy and a modest tow rating that still handles everyday tasks. As a selling point, it is one of the few pickups appealing broadly from daily commute to weekend jobs. This used car has an astonishingly high price difference over a new model: around 12.3% and an average $4,038 increase.

Moreover, its smaller footprint makes city parking easier, and standard features like smartphone integration and a comfortable cabin extend its value on the used market. It is clearly a very popular used car choice. According to Drew Dorian at Car and Driver, the Maverick is “a simple, honest truck with enough capability for casual truck drivers who don’t need something the size of an F-150.”

2. Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Noblesville - April 12, 2025: Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE AWD Sedan at a dealership. Toyota offers the Corolla with a 1.8L 4-Cylinder Hybrid engine. MY:2025

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

Toyota’s Corolla Hybrid has quietly become one of the most efficient compact sedans/SUV alternatives on the road. Of course, it is just one reason why used examples can fetch prices well above their new counterparts in recent listings.

In its 2026 review, Car and Driver observed that the Corolla Hybrid can deliver fuel economy into the 50+ mpg range. Such an irresistible economy makes it stand out among compact vehicles, where efficiency and cost rule the roost. That blend of everyday thrift and strong reliability has translated into strong demand for lightly used units. It goes without saying that Toyota’s hybrid technology has decades of consistent performance under its belt, which translates to trust in the used market.

3. Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Indianapolis - July 4, 2023: Mercedes-AMG G-Class 63 SUV display at a dealership. Mercedes offers the AMG G-Class 63 with a 4.0 litre gas engine.

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

Like its Japanese rival, Toyota, Mercedes has already convinced us how much we can trust them. The company’s reputation for durability means buying used comes with few doubts. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is no exception and arguably the premier example of a luxury SUV whose used pricing often exceeds new MSRP on dealership listings.

This outcome is particularly true for low-mileage AMG variants. The G-Class blends classic design with formidable off-road capability and premium amenities that appeal to enthusiasts and luxury buyers alike. According to Edmunds’ appraisal data, a 2024/2025 G-Class can still command dealer retail values well into the high five figures and beyond.

4. Toyota Sienna

MIAMI, FL, USA - MARCH 2, 2021: Photo of the newly redesigned all wheel drive Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivan

Image Credit: Felix Mizioznikov at Shutterstock.

Minivans usually depreciate faster than SUVs, so the Toyota Sienna is in a league of its own, and not just for this unique trait. For starters, it’s one of the few modern minivans that never got replaced by SUVs, instead evolving into a hybrid-only platform that’s both fuel-thrifty and family-friendly.

That reputation for practicality, combined with strong reliability, has led to very tight used-car inventories, keeping prices close to or above new MSRP in many markets.

In its 2025 coverage, MotorTrend’s Bob Hernandez called the Sienna “one of the most enduring people movers in North America,” noting its efficient hybrid powertrain, generous interior space, and thoughtful tech upgrades, including larger infotainment screens and refined connectivity features.

5. Toyota RAV4 Prime

Lafayette - January 29, 2025: Toyota RAV4 LE AWD SUV display at a dealership. Toyota offers the RAV4 with a 2.5L Dynamic Force 4-Cylinder engine. MY:2025

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

The Toyota RAV4 Prime is the plug-in hybrid version of America’s perennial SUV bestseller. This trusty little SUV is one of the models that still shows used pricing above new MSRP in the latest iSeeCars research. It’s a reflection of the RAV4 Prime’s demand among buyers who want both electric range and SUV utility.

Drew Hardesty of the YouTube channel Car Confections cites the 2024 Prime as his all-around favorite SUV. He says it “builds upon the already excellent formula of the Rav 4 hybrid and gives you that pure electric range and more performance without compromising really anything.” The video estimates that a used 2024 RAV4 Prime retains a nice 65% of its resale value after five years, which is why these SUVs are hard to find.

6. Toyota Corolla Cross

Noblesville - July 7, 2024: Toyota Corolla Cross LE display. Toyota offers the Corolla Cross with a 2.0L 4-Cylinder VVT engine. MY:2024

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

While often underrated against bigger siblings, the Toyota Corolla Cross has quietly boomed in popularity. The TCC is a small SUV with a big following and a solid performer in a small package, much like Prince before he departed the stage for good.

It has held its own so well that used prices have edged above new MSRP in national iSeeCars listings. Built on Toyota’s reliable foundation, the Corolla Cross delivers comfortable seating, good visibility, and efficient performance: traits that buyers prize in a small SUV. There is a clear Toyota-shaped pattern emerging here.

7. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Lafayette - March 12, 2024: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited display at a dealership. Toyota offers the RAV4 in LE, XLE, and Adventure models. MY:2024

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

Officially, Toyota’s RAV4 is America’s favorite SUV, according to AutoBlog’s Jacob Oliva. It means that demand is at an all-time high, and inventory is tight. Added to this fact, RAV4s will go hybrid, pushing used demand even further.

Not all used RAV4 Hybrid pricing comes from electrified variants: the standard RAV4 Hybrid also appears above new MSRP in some used listings. Owners can appreciate its smooth ride quality, good fuel economy, and adaptability from suburban roads to light off-road trails: a balance that can appeal to many buyers.

8. Kia Carnival

Avon - May 18, 2025: Kia Carnival SX SUV display at a dealership. Kia offers the Carnival with a 3.5L Direct Injection V6 engine. MY:2025

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

While Japan’s Toyota is unmatched for long-term auto investment, South Korea is never far behind. Kia’s success has been palpable over the past two decades in the USA, and the Carnival’s utilitarian design makes it one of the more popular models. With minivans less common than SUVs, buyers seeking maximum space without jumping to larger three-row SUVs have helped keep Carnival prices firm. Furthermore, it has the handling, feature content, and usability rather than sheer economy to promote resilience.

Jerry Seiner of Kia South Jordan in Utah reminds us why they are so popular. “Kia vehicles are built to last, with high-quality materials and engineering designed for longevity,” he writes. “This focus on durability means that even older Kia models can perform well and maintain their aesthetic appeal over time.”

9. Ford Bronco

Indianapolis - July 8, 2025: Used Ford Bronco 4X4 SUV display. With pricing concerns, Ford is buying and selling preowned cars to meet demand. MY:2022

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

This off-road icon with huge cult appeal has seen a revival this decade, making it one of Ford’s recent success stories. Built on a rugged ladder frame, the Bronco offers multiple trim levels, powerful turbocharged engines, and authentic off-road capability with selectable drive modes designed to conquer terrain from sand to mud.

For an idea of which models will retain value best, perhaps this Everything Bronco Aftermarket review will enlighten. “Models such as the Bronco Raptor with the top-spec V6 and the limited edition Ford Bronco Heritage Edition are likely to retain value the best,” it reads.

10. Toyota Tacoma

Whitestown - Circa June 2022: Toyota Tacoma display. Toyota offers the Tacoma in SR, SR5, and TRD Sport models.

Image Credit: Jonathan Weiss at Shutterstock.

If there’s one vehicle that has turned depreciation into something of a practical joke, it’s the Toyota Tacoma. This iconic midsize pickup has become America’s go-to for reliability and longevity, rugged enough for weekend hauling but compact enough for daily use.

That reputation for durability and desirability means light-mileage used Tacomas are sometimes priced as high as or higher than new ones: a rare exception to the usual depreciation curve.

Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB’s) “Best Resale Value Awards” make clear that the 2025 Toyota Tacoma has a strong 64% resale value. This credential makes it highly in demand across the used car markets.

Author

  • Ben is originally from the United Kingdom, and has been working and traveling across the world for two decades as an English teacher and professional writer.

    He loves writing for the homeowner and gardening industry, uniting experts, aficionados, and amateurs with useful information and data.

    Ben loves the outdoors, especially playing golf, snowboarding, and clambering over rocks.

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