The Toyota Tacoma: A Resale Champion or a Depreciation Mystery?
Here's a mind-boggler for car enthusiasts and investors alike: Why do some vehicles lose value so quickly, while others, like the Toyota Tacoma, seem to defy depreciation?
Nearly every car owner knows the bitter truth: cars depreciate. But the extent of this value loss varies dramatically, influenced by factors like brand, age, mileage, condition, and market trends.
For Toyota Tacoma owners, there's a silver lining. The pickup has earned its stripes as a resale champion, topping KBB's list of new cars that retain their value the best after five years. Despite its modest towing and payload capacities, the Tacoma's off-road prowess, refined ride, optional manual transmission, and, most importantly, its rock-solid reputation for reliability, ensure it remains desirable over time.
CarEdge estimates that a new Toyota Tacoma will depreciate by a mere 22% after five years, leaving owners with a retained value of 78%. This is based on an assumed selling price and average annual mileage. Specifically, for the 2021 Tacoma, CarEdge's figures show a depreciation of around 21% from its original price, making it a top-seller even five years later.
But here's where it gets controversial... KBB's valuations put the five-year depreciation slightly higher, at 22%. This takes into account the 2021 Tacoma's starting price and current resale value.
Either way, the 2021 Tacoma is a strong performer in the resale market. However, different Tacoma trims tell a varied story, and we're about to dive into the data.
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's Five-Year Depreciation: A Trim-by-Trim Breakdown
According to KBB, the 2021 Tacoma Crew Cab's depreciation ranges from 22% to 28%, depending on the trim level. The base SR Tacoma and TRD Off-Road models with the 5-foot short bed are the stars here, losing only 22% of their original value.
The 6-foot-bed TRD Off-Road model, on the other hand, depreciated a bit more, with a five-year depreciation of around 25%. The 6-foot-bed TRD Sport is another solid choice, with a depreciation of just 22% after five years.
The 6-foot-bed SR5 also offers good value, with a depreciation of 23% and a 77% value retention. The 5-foot-bed TRD Sport, 6-foot-bed Tacoma Limited, and 5-foot-bed Limited trims depreciated at slightly higher rates, but the real surprise is the range-topping TRD Pro, which leads the pack with a five-year depreciation of 28%.
Toyota Tacoma vs. the Competition: A Midsize Pickup Truck Battle
The 2021 Tacoma's depreciation performance stacks up well against its rivals, including the Jeep Wrangler, Honda Ridgeline, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier. The Jeep Wrangler takes the crown as the best performer, retaining around 71% of its value after five years.
This isn't entirely unexpected, as the Wrangler has long been known for its minimal depreciation over five years. Even the 2020 model holds its value remarkably well. But in a segment filled with desirable vehicles, the Wrangler and Tacoma have some tough competition, with the Ford Ranger also excelling in resale value.
CarEdge's data shows the Ranger's resale retention at an impressive 72%, resulting in a depreciation of only 28%. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier also shine, with depreciations of 36%, 37%, and 37%, respectively. The Chevrolet Colorado, with a depreciation of 48%, is the segment's highest depreciator.
So, what's your take on the Toyota Tacoma's depreciation performance? Is it a surprise, or did you expect it to hold its value so well? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
