Honda Models Hold Their Value Better Than Most Cars After Five Years
Unless you're lucky, rich, or both, having a car that goes up in value is extremely rare. When it comes to mass-produced vehicles, the general rule is that they lose between 50 and 60% of their purchase price over five years. The best you can hope for is to beat those odds, and if you own a Honda, the chances are that you have done so and by some margin.
According to CarEdge.com, as of 2026, Honda vehicles on average retain 60.5% of their original value after five years. That's a depreciation figure of just 39.5%, which places Honda third overall, very close behind Subaru and Toyota. But there are some popular Honda models that performed even better, and we picked five of the best and analyzed just how much value they managed to retain after five years. Here they are in ascending order.
5. Honda Accord
- 5-Year Depreciation: 36%
- 5-Year Resale Value: $23,082
The popular Accord has weathered the SUV craze well, maintaining solid sales figures thanks to it being such a great all-round offering. While it is FWD-only, and the (preferable) 204-hp hybrid engine costs a little more, it is far better to drive than any similarly priced SUV, and it offers plenty of cabin space, too.
The ride is also exemplary and the premium-feeling interior belies the affordable base price. It is the perfect option for buyers who prefer a dynamic and engaging driving experience in their family cars without having to compromise on practicality.
4. Honda Ridgeline
- 5-Year Depreciation: 36%
- 5-Year Resale Value: $29,028
The Ridgeline breaks the mold of the traditional body-on-frame pickup, as its unibody construction offers a smoother ride without overly compromising its capabilities. It is popular with buyers because it provides the utility most people actually need without having to deal with the harshness of a traditional work truck.
Combine this with a well-matured 3.5-liter V6 engine, and a fuss-free high-quality interior and the Ridgeline's impressive resale figures aren't all that surprising. Unless you need to tow more than 5,000 lbs, or plan to use your truck as a rugged workhorse day in and day out, the Ridgeline is the perfect daily-driver truck.
3. Honda HR-V
- 5-Year Depreciation: 31%
- 5-Year Resale Value: $20,988
The HR-V is a very affordable subcompact SUV that offers surprisingly spacious interior along with a comfortable ride even on rough surfaces. It uses a variation of the Civic's 2.0-liter non-hybrid powerplant, so it's not built for speed, but it's perfect for smaller families or as a city commuter car.
The HR-V comes with a decent level of standard kit, and even the top EX-L trim with leather interior trim, AWD, and power driver's seat still has a starting MSRP of just $30,450. The low entry price combined with Honda's reliability and its superb retained value makes it a popular choice for buyers looking to minimize their motoring expenses.
2. Honda CR-V
- 5-Year Depreciation: 29%
- 5-Year Resale Value: $27,069
The CR-V is one of the pioneers of the compact SUV segment, and it's Honda's best-selling vehicle. Thanks to its spacious interior, excellent fuel economy and a selection of trims and options to suit a wide variety of needs, the CR-V is a great one-car-garage option. Its popularity extends to the used car market too, where it has lost just 29% of its initial value after five years on the road.
The regular CR-V is powered by a spirited 190-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, and its $30,920 starting price is extremely competitive, but if you want a bit more power and even more impressive fuel economy, the slightly pricier CR-V Hybrid is an even better bet. With the average CR-V having retained 71% of its value after five years, this is about as close to an ‘investment grade' family SUV as you can get.
1. Honda Civic
- 5-Year Depreciation: 29%
- 5-Year Resale Value: $19,528
The Honda Civic is an affordable compact car that still feels like an upmarket product thanks to the high quality interior and refined road manners. The base trim isn't particularly quick, thanks to the lowish 150-hp power output from its 2.0-liter engine, but it feels responsive around town and delivers solid fuel economy.
For a few thousand dollars more, you can have the Civic Hybrid which comes with a 200-hp engine that's aided by two electric motors. This not only makes it quicker, but the fuel economy figures are a lot better too. Both of these models come standard with FWD and a CVT automatic transmission, but you can still get a six-speed manual in the sportier Si trim. Whether you are a first-time driver, or just looking for a set of reliable wheels, the Civic is a capable vehicle with low running costs and a very impressive resale value.
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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM.