Best Cars Under $40,000 by Resale Value (Least Depreciation)

Of the 230 cars under $40,000 VINdown tracks, the average holds about 54% of its value after five years. The Honda Civic Type R leads at 86% retained, while the Nissan Kicks depreciates hardest at 15%. Ranked best-to-worst by five-year resale value:

1. Honda Civic Type R — 86% retained, from $37,950 new
2. Nissan Rogue Sport — 81% retained, from $19,995 new
3. Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen — 80% retained, from $18,590 new
4. Nissan Leaf — 79% retained, from $19,748 new
5. Kia Forte5 — 78% retained, from $13,988 new
6. Kia Niro — 76% retained, from $20,590 new
7. Nissan Sentra — 74% retained, from $20,608 new
8. Nissan Altima — 74% retained, from $20,805 new
9. Mazda Mazda3 — 74% retained, from $24,700 new
10. Buick Cascada — 74% retained, from $24,995 new

cars at other budgets:

• Under $20,000
• Under $30,000
• Under $50,000

Related categories under $40,000:

• Electric Cars Under $40,000
• Hybrid Cars Under $40,000
• Luxury Cars Under $40,000
• SUVs Under $40,000
• Sedans Under $40,000
• Sports Cars Under $40,000
• Trucks Under $40,000