Why the Toyota Tacoma holds its value better than other pickups
Pickup trucks are known for their high resale value, but one model consistently outperforms almost all of its competitors when it comes to maintaining its value over time. The Toyota Tacoma not only retains value, it dominated depreciation tables, often selling for much more on the used market than comparable midsize trucks years after their introduction. This resilience makes it one of the smartest choices for buyers who care as much about long-term ownership costs as they do about 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 duties without major issues, and that confidence translates into sustained demand in the resale market. Limited supply, strong brand loyalty and a large community of enthusiasts keep prices high, even as other trucks lose value more quickly due to oversupply or changing consumer tastes.
In a segment where many pickups depreciate quickly, the Tacoma’s ability to hold its value speaks volumes about what today’s truck buyers value: proven durability, practical performance and long-term peace of mind. For those who plan to keep a vehicle for years or plan to resell it later, its value is a major advantage that competitors simply can’t match.
In order to provide you with the most current and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article comes from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including EPA, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds. Average depreciation figures come from CarEdge.
Japanese mid-size pickup is much better than expected
Despite its unkempt appearance, this pickup is more comfortable and practical than most of its rivals.
The Tacoma holds its value better than almost any other truck
Strong resale value after five years
One of the costs of ownership that people don’t consider as much as they should is depreciation. Ending up with a truck that depreciates significantly can end up costing you thousands of dollars later. If you’re looking to get the best value for your money in terms of resale time, then the Tacoma is one of the best trucks 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 nearly 50 percent of its original value after five years of driving, with most of this loss occurring in the first two years. By comparison, the average Toyota Tacoma loses less than a quarter of its value to depreciation. While pickup trucks generally fare better than cars or SUVs when it comes to depreciation, the Tacoma fares far better than all of its direct rivals.
A key factor in why the Tacoma does so well on the used market is its ruggedness. Not only does it benefit from Toyota’s overall reputation for reliability, but the Tacoma nameplate has built a reputation of its own. If you are looking for a strong and durable truck, people will most often recommend the Japanese pickup truck. Used buyers are willing to spend a little more on a truck knowing it will last rather than giving them constant problems.
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Competing 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 fare a little better on the used market than cars and SUVs. American buyers are willing to spend a little more on a used pickup truck than other types of vehicles. However, no other midsize truck holds its value as well as the Tacoma.
Depreciation of intermediate trucks
|
Model |
Amortization 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 quite well compared to the rest of the segment. Most other options lose about 37% of their value during their first five years on the road. It’s not exceptional, but it’s still a lot better than a lot of vehicles on the road.
The only exception here is the Chevrolet Colorado, which is having a much tougher time on the used market than its rivals. In general, the perception is that they are less reliable than other major competitors, although the data doesn’t really support this perception.
This small American SUV is more reliable than the Toyota RAV4
If you’re looking for reliability, this SUV is rated higher than its rivals.
The new generation of Tacoma exceeds expectations
New powertrains don’t scare people away
Toyota has completely redesigned the Tacoma for the 2024 model year, with the updated pickup on a new platform, featuring an all-new set of powertrain options. Although the midsize truck definitely needed a redesign to bring it into the modern era, concerns were expressed about whether the new configuration would last that long. However, that doesn’t seem to deter buyers of the updated Tacoma.
Toyota Tacoma 2024-present
- Base trim motor
-
2.4L Turbocharged I-4 Gas Engine
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-speed automatic
- Basic transmission
-
Rear-wheel drive
- Basic power
-
228 hp
- Basic trim torque
-
243 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm
- Fuel economy
-
20/26 mpg
- Base trim fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
-
20/26/23 MPG
- Do
-
Toyota
- Model
-
Tacoma
Every Tacoma has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. Base models produce slightly less power, with most non-hybrid models producing 278 horsepower. Hybrid models of the Tacoma add an electric motor to the mix, boosting output up to 326 horsepower and a whopping 465 pound-feet of torque. Despite fewer cylinders, this lineup is more than strong enough in performance to keep up with the competition.
In general, truck buyers tend to view four-cylinder engines as lower quality and less reliable. There was a lot of discussion when Toyota announced the change to the powertrain lineup regarding their long-term reliability. So far, though, the data suggests they’re quite sturdy, with JD Power giving the 2025 model year a rating of 80 out of 100 for quality and reliability.
Buyers don’t seem to mind too much either. Examining national listings on sites like Edmunds reveals that many 2024 Tacomas are listed and still selling for pretty close to MSRP. This suggests that they hold their value even better than CarEdge predicted.
