Usually, buying a used car is a much better option than purchasing a new vehicle.
From the moment you put on the license plates, depreciation begins, and in some cases it is pretty harsh, bringing the car’s price down pretty fast. iSeeCars did some research and found some vehicles that might be a better deal when purchased new over used.
To gather its data, iSeeCars studied statistics from more than 6 million new and used cars sales in 2017 and the first month of 2018 to see which vehicles depreciated the least. The five cars below are ones that consumers should look into buying new, as they hold their value extremely well after the first year.
#5. Honda Pilot
With SUVs being the latest craze to sweep the nation, seeing the Honda Pilot on the list makes plenty of sense. The seven-seater SUV offers consumers good tech features, a spacious interior, and is available with an all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot’s impeccable safety rating also helps its case.
After the first year, the Pilot lost 13.7 percent, or $4,858, of its value.
#4. Nissan Frontier
Seeing the Nissan Frontier on the list was a surprise. Nissan has a bad habit of letting its vehicles for quite some time without any changes, and it’s the same case with its midsize pickup. The Frontier has been on the market mostly unchanged since 2004. Still, it’s an affordable pickup truck, which is something American consumers love.
The Frontier lost 13.3 percent of its value after a year. That comes out to a loss of $3,180.
#3. Toyota 4Runner
As a Toyota 4Runner owner (an older 2002 model), I absolutely agree with this. Shopping for a used 4Runner is a nightmare, as well-kept models are still outrageously expensive. The SUV is one of the last off-roading oriented vehicles on the market today and is known for its bulletproof reliability. It’s a do-it-all vehicle and it definitely deserves to be on the list.
After a year, the 4Runner lost 12.7 percent of its value, which boils down to $4,605.
#2. Toyota Tacoma
Another Toyota? Yup, the Japanese automaker clearly knows how to make models that hold their value. The Tacoma has always been known for its reliability, durability, and capability as a pickup truck. Its midsize design is also highly desirable. Try getting a used Tacoma at a good price and you’ll see exactly why buying a new might be a better idea.
On average, the Tacoma lost just $3,320, or 10.4 percent, after the first year.
#1. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is at the top of the list, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that scours used car websites regularly. The Wrangler has stayed true to its shape and off-roading capabilities since its introduction. The latest Wrangler JL promises to be better at off-roading while being easier to live with, which means that it will probably hold its value even better than before. Just be sure to get the four-door model, as this seems to hold its value better.
On average, the Wrangler Unlimited lost just $3,199 – or a mere 8.9 percent – of its value after one year.