5 Hybrids With the Best Resale Values
Andrew Lokenauth, founder of the blog Fluent in Finance, has noticed that people often get this one thing wrong about hybrids.
“They assume hybrids and electric vehicles perform the same in the resale market,” he said. “They don't. Hybrids lose about 40% of their value over five years on average, compared to a staggering 59% for EVs. That gap is massive.”
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In other words, that hybrid you're eyeing isn't just cheaper at the pump; it's also going to hold onto its cash value a lot better down the road. We asked auto industry experts which models are the best bets if resale value is part of your buying calculus. Here's what they told us.
Toyota Prius
You're probably not surprised to see the Prius on the top of the hybrids list. After all, it’s the first name many people associate with the overall vehicle category. The Prius loses only around 35% of its value after five years, according to Lokenauth.
And as you’ll see when you read on, Toyota is a big name when it comes to hybrids with the best resale value. In fact, CarEdge recently named Toyota as the No. 1 brand with the best resale value.
Toyota Sienna Hybrid
According to Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, Toyota is known for making reliable vehicles, and the Sienna Hybrid is no exception.
"The Sienna Hybrid offers drivers such a good experience that it holds its value extremely well," Musson said. "At 5 years old, Sienna Hybrids regularly sell for $35,000 or more, especially with low miles.”
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Musson also named the Highlander Hybrid as a Toyota that maintains solid retail value, noting that it's an excellent vehicle with space for family and gear.
“Its fuel efficiency and reliability make it highly sought after,” she said. “A 5-year-old model with low miles will sell for close to $40,000, while a high-mileage model will sell in the $27,000 to $30,000 range.”
Honda CR-V Hybrid
There's a reason you see so many CR-Vs on the road.
“They’re popular, and they seem to last forever," Musson said.
As she explained, the Hybrid option loses between $7,000 and $11,000 on average over the first five years of ownership, depending on the original trim level.
“It’s shocking to see a vehicle lose only $7,000 value in five years,” she said. “So, you can expect to price a 5-year-old model at around $25,000.”
Toyota RAV4
When it comes to hybrids with the best resale value, Lokenauth said the RAV4 leads the pack. In his experience, that model retains about 75% of its value after five years.
“Toyota and Honda dominate, and there's a clear reason for it,” Lokenauth said. “Buyers in the used market trust Toyota and Honda hybrid systems because these brands have spent 25-plus years proving that their dual-powertrain systems are durable and reliable.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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