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Pickup trucks are known for strong resale values, but one model consistently outpaces nearly every rival when it comes to holding its worth over time. The Toyota Tacoma doesn’t just retain value, it dominates depreciation charts, often selling for far more on the used market than comparable midsize trucks years after they were new. That resilience makes it one of the smartest choices for buyers who care about long-term ownership costs as much as performance and capability.
Part of the Tacoma’s appeal comes from its reputation for durability and reliability. Buyers know it can handle daily driving, off-road adventures, and towing tasks without major issues, and that confidence translates into sustained demand in the resale market. Limited supply, strong brand loyalty, and a broad enthusiast community further keep prices high, even as other trucks lose value faster due to oversupply or shifting consumer tastes.
In a segment where many pickups depreciate rapidly, the Tacoma’s ability to hold value says a lot about what today’s truck buyers prize: proven durability, practical performance, and long-term ownership peace of mind. For those planning to keep a vehicle for years, or considering resale down the road, its value retention is a major advantage that rivals simply can’t match.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds. Average depreciation figures were sourced from CarEdge.
The Japanese Mid-Size Pickup That’s Way Better Than Expected
Despite being overlooked, this pickup is more comfortable and practical than most of its rivals.
The Tacoma holds its value better than almost every other truck out there
Strong resale value after five years
One cost of ownership that people don’t consider as much as they should is depreciation. Ending up with a truck that depreciates steeply can end up costing you thousands of dollars down the road. If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to resale time, then the Tacoma is one of the best trucks that you can buy.
Toyota Tacoma depreciation
|
Years of ownership |
Depreciation |
|---|---|
|
1 |
15% |
|
3 |
19% |
|
5 |
22% |
|
7 |
28% |
|
10 |
35% |
The average new vehicle loses close to 50 percent of its original value after five years on the road, with the bulk of that loss being in the first two years. Comparatively, the Toyota Tacoma loses less than a quarter of its value to depreciation on average. While pickup trucks in general do better than cars or SUVs when it comes to depreciation, the Tacoma does much better than all of its direct rivals.
A key factor in why the Tacoma does so well on the used market is how sturdy it is perceived to be. Not only does it benefit from Toyota’s general reputation for reliability, but the Tacoma nameplate has built its own reputation. If you’re looking for a strong truck that is going to last, more often than not, people will recommend the Japanese pickup. Used buyers are willing to spend a little more on a truck knowing that it’s going to last rather than give them constant issues.
Rival midsize trucks don’t do as well when it comes to depreciation
Some come close, but none beat the ‘Taco’
As mentioned above, pickup trucks tend to do a little better on the used market compared to cars and SUVs. American buyers are willing to spend a little more on a used pickup than they are on other types of vehicles. However, no other midsize truck holds its value quite as well as the Tacoma.
Midsize truck depreciation
|
Model |
Depreciation over 5 years |
|---|---|
|
Ford Ranger |
28% |
|
Honda Ridgeline |
36% |
|
GMC Canyon |
37% |
|
Nissan Frontier |
37% |
|
Jeep Gladiator |
37% |
|
Chevrolet Colorado |
48% |
There is only one other midsize pickup that even comes close to the Tacoma, with the Ford Ranger holding its value decently well compared to the rest of the segment. Most other options lose around 37 percent of their value in their first five years on the road. This isn’t exceptional, but it is still much better than a lot of vehicles on the road.
The one exception here is the Chevrolet Colorado, which has a much harder time on the used market than its rivals. Generally, the perception is that they are less reliable than other top competitors, though the data doesn’t quite support this perception.
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The newest generation of Tacoma is exceeding expecations
New powertrains aren’t steering people away
Toyota completely redesigned the Tacoma for the 2024 model year, with the updated pickup riding on a new platform, featuring a completely fresh set of powertrain options. While the midsize truck definitely needed an overhaul to bring it into the modern age, there have been concerns around whether the new setup will last as long. However, that doesn’t seem to be deterring buyers of the updated Tacoma.
2024-present Toyota Tacoma
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.4L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
228 hp
- Base Trim Torque
-
243 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
20/26 mpg
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
20/26/23 MPG
- Make
-
Toyota
- Model
-
Tacoma
Every Tacoma comes fitted with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. The base models make slightly less power, with most non-hybrids making 278 horsepower. Hybrid models of the Tacoma add an electric motor into the mix, bumping output all the way up to 326 horsepower and a whopping 465 pound-feet of torque. Despite having fewer cylinders, this lineup is more than strong enough performance-wise to keep up with the competition.
Generally, truck buyers tend to view four-cylinder engines as being inferior, and less reliable. There was a lot of discussion when Toyota announced the change to the powertrain lineup surrounding how reliable they would be in the long run. So far, though, data has suggested that they are pretty sturdy, with J.D. Power giving the 2025 model year a score of 80 out of 100 for quality and reliability.
Buyers also don’t seem to mind too much. Looking at national listings on sites like Edmunds reveals that a lot of 2024 Tacomas are listing, and selling for pretty close to MSRP still. This suggests they’re holding their value even better than the forecasts set out by CarEdge.