Not All Pickups Age Well
Beyond horsepower and payload, trucks are financial decisions, too. Prices may start high, but resale value separates the smart buys from the regret pile. Market data reveals who stays strong and who sinks. Here's a balanced breakdown of pickups that protect or punish your investment, starting with those that lose value fast.
1. Nissan Titan
The Titan depreciates fast because of low demand. Buyers often skip it for Ford or Toyota, which further shrinks its resale strength. In five years, expect it to lose over half its value. Even new models struggle to compete, especially after 2020's weak updates.
2. Ram 1500
Tough exterior but soft value. While it offers a comfy ride, resale drops quicker than rivals. By year five, losses hover around 45%. High trim diversity floods the used market and hurts consistency. Leasing instead of buying might reduce exposure to this steep depreciation curve.
3. Ford F-150
America's bestseller doesn't mean the best value. Oversupply plays a huge role here—too many trims and too many on the lot. It can shed nearly 50% of its price in five years. Extended cab models tend to lose more, while crew cabs hold slightly better in resale rankings.
4. GMC Sierra 1500
Despite fancy interiors and Denali trims, depreciation claws through its value, especially after year three. High MSRP and brand overlap with the Chevy Silverado don't work in its favor. For value retention, entry-level trims often outperform the heavily optioned versions over time.
5. Tesla Cybertruck
Early owners watched values plummet within months. Supply chain delays and software bugs didn't help. Depreciation reached 37% in some cases within the first year. High-profile returns in secondary markets show how hype rarely guarantees resale strength in this segment.
6. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
This full-size staple loses 40% over five years. Recalls and interior complaints from 2019–2021 models all chip away at the resale value. Frequent fleet use and high-volume sales mean even well-kept ones compete in a crowded field when it's time to trade.
7. Hyundai Santa Cruz
The compact looks may fool you, but you stand to lose around 35–40% of the value in half a decade. Released in 2022, resale dropped fast due to limited payload and novelty status. In resale listings, it often gets lumped with crossovers rather than trucks, which hurts its perceived utility.
8. Dodge Dakota
Once a midsize option with big intentions, the Dakota disappeared after 2011, taking resale strength with it. Aging platforms, dated interiors, and limited aftermarket demand sink its market standing. Today, its value mostly lingers in nostalgic circles and DIY restoration communities, not on dealer lots.
9. Rivian R1T
Innovation comes at a price—and it fades fast. As an EV startup, Rivian faces shaky resale due to factors like limited service centers and evolving tech. Adopt it, and you may face a 44% value loss in three years. Fluctuating incentives make long-term predictions unusually volatile in this segment.
10. Ford F-250 Super Duty
While loaded with torque and towing capability, that bulk doesn't help resale. Models from 2017–2021 saw drops often tied to diesel maintenance costs. Buyers on the secondary market hesitate due to pricey upkeep. Extended service records can soften that blow during resale.
Now for the pickups that play the long game—and play it well.
1. Toyota Tacoma
Compact and almost bulletproof. Tacomas hold their value like few trucks can, often retaining over 70% after five years. Off-road trims like TRD Pro command premium resale pricing. In regions like Colorado or the Pacific Northwest, this model often sells within days of listing.
2. Toyota Tundra
Unlike most full-size trucks, the Tundra maintains long-term loyalty. Its minimal redesigns and strong reliability record help keep depreciation at 28.2%. Owners often hit 200,000+ miles before trading in. Even older models still command respectable private-sale prices, especially those with low rust exposure.
3. Chevrolet Colorado
Colorado is surprisingly resilient and flaunts solid retention, especially in mid-trims like Z71. GM's updates post-2015 improved ride quality and engine options. Diesel variants fetch better prices used. Stick to four-door crew cabs as they see higher resale percentages than base extended cab configurations.
4. GMC Canyon
While it shares a platform with the Colorado, the Canyon's upscale look boosts resale by a margin. Buyers who want a premium feel without jumping to a full-size often settle here. Elevation and AT4 trims maintain a strong interest in resale listings, especially with under-100K mileage clocks.
5. Ford Maverick
This newcomer is already proving its worth. The hybrid-capable and wildly practical Maverick keeps resale tight due to high demand and low inventory. Used 2022 models are often listed near MSRP, and their urban utility edge makes them smart picks in cities with tight parking.
6. Ram 2500 HD
Not every heavy-duty truck depreciates fast, like the Ram 2500 HD. It holds strong due to towing capability and long-haul reliability, especially the diesel-powered variants. Farmers and commercial buyers keep demand steady. Well-documented Cummins engines can fetch 10–15% higher resale than equivalent gas-powered trims in private sales.
7. Chevrolet Silverado HD
Unlike its light-duty sibling, Silverado HD models retain more value thanks to worksite demand and solid drivetrain options. Fleet buyers target used 2500s and 3500s for bulk purchases. Keep resale highest with maintenance records and fewer aftermarket mods—clean stock trucks win more private offers.
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8. GMC Sierra HD
The Sierra HD may be closely related to the Silverado HD but sells better among buyers chasing luxury touches. AT4 and Denali trims see strong demand among weekend haulers and rural professionals. Areas with trailer culture, like horse or boat towns, boost resale premiums for these trucks.
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9. Ford Ranger
A comeback story with numbers to back it. After reentering the U.S. in 2019, the Ranger quickly found fans. It balances midsize efficiency with strong towing for its class. Sport and FX4 trims outperform the base XL in resale. Stick to lower-mileage units for the best return.
10. Nissan Frontier
Quietly consistent, the Frontier avoids flashy upgrades but builds trust in resale. Its 2022 redesign helped boost value further, with Pro-4X trims performing best. Owners report solid drivetrains past 150K miles. Simpler construction equals fewer repairs and used buyers see it as a no-surprise purchase.
