2026 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro in Wave Maker. Credit: Toyota.

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KBB 2026 Best Resale Value Award Winners

Written By: CarPro | Mar 25, 2026 5:35:26 PM

If vehicle resale value factors into your car buying decision, as it likely does, you'll want to check out Kelley Blue Book's 24th annual Best Resale Value Awards.  The awards recognize vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period. Along with naming overall best brands, the awards name category and top 10 winners. 

While KBB says most new-car shoppers understand that cars lose value over time, many could be shocked to learn that depreciation can be the single largest expense they will incur.  Also, resale values can vary to a shocking degree - we're talking hundreds-to-thousands of dollars over the first five years of ownership.  

This year's overall brand winners are no surprise - Toyota and Lexus are back on top. Toyota earning honors as Best Resale Value Brand for the sixth consecutive year, and Lexus winning Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand for its fifth straight year.

"Toyota and Lexus continue to reign supreme with top average residual values, meaning their vehicles are projected to retain more of their original MSRP over the first five years of ownership in comparison to other mainstream and luxury brand averages, respectively," said Rheia Szymczyk, senior manager, valuation and analysis operations for Kelley Blue Book. "Kelley Blue Book's 2026 Best Resale Value: Brand winner Toyota boasts an overall resale value average of 53%, while the Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand winner Lexus features an overall resale value average of 47%."

This year marks the 10th Best Resale Value: Brand win for Toyota, which previously captured the same honors in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. For 2026, Lexus celebrates its fifth consecutive win, and seventh time overall taking home the award for Best Resale Value: Luxury Brand.

2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: BRAND: Toyota

2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: LUXURY BRAND: Lexus

2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: BY VEHICLE CATEGORY:

2026 BEST RESALE VALUE: TOP 10 CARS:

Photo: 2026 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro in Wave Maker. Credit: Toyota.

 

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