2023 Pickup Trucks With Best Resale Value

August 11, 2023August 2, 2023 Lisa Conant 0 Comments Bedliner, Car Buying, Duraliner, Ford Lightning, Ford Maverick, Pickup Trucks, Silverado HD, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra

If you’re in the market for a new pickup truck — or one that’s new to you, at least — you might be in for some sticker shock if it’s been a while since your last new vehicle purchase. Over the last five years, the average new-vehicle transaction price has risen dramatically. In fact, between 2020 and 2021 alone, the average price for a new car skyrocketed by 17.2%.

So, it makes sense that if you’re planning to invest quite a bit of your hard-earned dinero into a new vehicle purchase, you want to maximize that investment by choosing something that has excellent resale potential and won’t tank in value the minute you drive it off the lot. Knowing which pickup trucks have the best resale value will also help clarify what to expect if you’re just starting the pricing process.

Resale value simply refers to what your vehicle will be worth when you try to sell or trade it in later on. Luckily, Kelley Blue Book makes researching the resale value of your next potential truck a cinch. When shopping, KBB advises you to consider how much of the vehicle’s original value it will still hold in five years. It’s worth noting that while vehicles with high resale values might cost you more upfront, they usually pay off in the long run.

Five Pickup Trucks Holding the Best Value

1. Toyota Tundra – 73.3%

With an eye-popping resale value of 73.3%, the Toyota Tundra stomps all over the competition. Redesigned for the 2022 model year, the full-size pickup hasn’t changed much in 2023. It still shows off rugged exterior styling – as well as a multi-link rear suspension and 389-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine. The real only new noteworthy upgrade lies in the highly popular SR5 model, which now offers an aggressive blackout appearance package featuring dark wheels, door handles, and trim elements.

With a smooth and powerful driving experience, a 17.6% increase in towing capacity over the previous generation, and a clever truck bed that vows to be ding- and scratch-resistant, the Toyota Tundra has a lot to offer truck buyers. Looks like now it can add “superior resale value” to the list, as well.

2. Toyota Tacoma – 65.8%

As if perching atop the sales podium isn’t enough, the Toyota Tacoma really rubs it in the faces of the competition by claiming the second spot in the resale wars, as well.

While the 2024 model sees a complete redesign, the 2023 Taco is largely a carryover — and still it’s predicted to hold onto 65.8% of its value after 60 months. Starting at $10,000 less than its big brother, and serving up striking good looks, natural off-road prowess, and respectable performance from its optional V6, it’s easy to see why the Toyota Tacoma is KBB’s highest-rated midsize truck of 2023 and a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner. This is a solid little workhorse, on or off the beaten path, and one that will still be worth some coin several years down the line.

3. Ford Maverick – 61.7%

Carving out an interesting little niche for itself — and an impressive 61.7% five-year resale value — the plucky Ford Maverick is proving to be a strong contender in the modern pickup segment. Fuel-efficient, with an easy-to-swallow starting price and familiar styling, the Maverick makes an attractive option for consumers who want a truck but don’t want the mortgage payment that goes with it.

For 2023, the smaller hauler sees a Tremor Off-Road model join the lineup. Adding a one-inch lift, revised AWD, and dedicated suspension setup, the off-road package adds an impressive amount of adventure to an already-nimble ride.

4. Chevrolet Silverado HD – 60.1%

Few full-size workhorses hold their value as well as the Chevrolet Silverado HD models, which include the 2500 and 3500 pickups, as well as the chassis cab model. Considering the regular beating these classic work trucks take, it’s surprising to see one in the top five predicted to most hold resale value — and at 60.1% to boot.

While there are minimal changes to the 2023 model year, there are some notable selling points that set this truck above its competitors. Both the 2500 and the 3500 have their suspensions well calibrated for comfortable ride quality, with or without thousands of pounds in the back. Plus, multiple trim levels let you customize your truck to your ideal specifications, as do the many extra packages dedicated to everything from towing and off-road fun to snow plowing and emergency rescue efforts. Choose between a 6.6-liter V8 engine or the 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8 for maximum horsepower and torque.

5. Ford F-150 Lightning – 57.0%

While America’s best-selling pickup truck for more than 45 years rounds out the top five list with a five-year resale value of 57.0%, it might not be the iteration you expected to see… The F-150 Lightning nabs KBB’s highest-rated electric truck of 2023, and proves it’s not just some flash-in-pan conceptual ride.

There may not be an engine under the hood, but this truck performs much like any other F-150. It’s stylish and comfortable, sports a nice big bed out back, and serves up a max towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and max payload capacity of 2,000 pounds. It definitely has some innovating to do in the towing range arena, but that 775 lb.-ft. of torque and 4.0-second 0-60 time probably help ease the frustration a bit.

There have been a couple of notable improvements made since this truck’s introduction to society in 2022. Perhaps most impressive is that the standard range of the truck is now 240 miles (up from last year’s 230-mile range) and the extended battery gets you up to 320 miles on a single full charge, while also giving you greater horsepower than its predecessor. Again, towing or hauling will drop that (significantly), but Ford is making strides and we expect this will continue to improve with future iterations.