WOBURN, Mass. -

Ruggedness, durability and iconic design.

Those are reasons why Jeep Wranglers are known for retaining their value, said iSeeCars chief executive officer Phong Ly.

“Because of Jeep’s loyal following, their demand outstrips supply in the used-car marketplace, leading to high resale values.” Ly said in a news release.

Jeep models account for the top two spots on iSeeCars list of vehicle models that depreciate the least and most after five years. The four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers the lowest five-year depreciation, and its two-door counterpart, the Jeep Wrangler, comes in a close second.

Why does it matter? Understanding a vehicle’s resale value is important in helping new and used car shoppers make an informed purchase decision, according to iSee Cars.

“If you plan on trading in or selling your next vehicle at around the five-year mark, a car that retains most of its value can lessen the expense of your purchase,” Ly said.

Ly continued, “Conversely, if you are a used-car shopper, choosing a car that has already taken a depreciation hit can provide you with a significant deal.”

For the study, iSeeCars.com analyzed more than 6.9 million new cars from model year 2014 sold in 2014, and more than 800,000 used cars from the same model year sold between January and October 2019.

Four pickup trucks made the list. They include the Toyota Tacoma at No. 3, the Toyota Tundra at No. 4, the Honda Ridgeline at No. 7, and the Nissan Frontier at No. 9.

“Toyota and Honda are known for their reliability, and their reputation for dependable pickups helps aid their resale value,” Ly said. “The Honda Ridgeline is also unique in that it’s the only pickup truck that has the ride comfort of a crossover, while the Nissan Frontier is sold in lower volumes so it has a lower supply in the secondary marketplace.”

The Toyota 4Runner midsize SUV came in at No. 5. It depreciates 36.5% after five years.

“The Toyota 4Runner is a body-on-frame SUV, which means it’s built like a truck and has truck-like durability,” Ly said. “Since its release in 1984, the 4Runner has amassed a loyal following, and its ruggedness and reputation for being a reliable vehicle help contribute to its value retention.”

Three sports cars round out the list of cars that best hold their value: the Porsche 911 at No. 6, the Nissan GT-R at No. 8, and the Subaru Impreza WRX at No. 10.

“The Porsche 911 is an iconic and beloved sports car that will always be in demand as a dream car for many consumers,” Ly said. “The Nissan GT-R and the Subaru Impreza WRX are popular sports cars that are produced in low supply, so there is a great demand for them in the secondary marketplace.” 

Which cars depreciate the most?  In iSeeCars examination of the cars that depreciate the most after five years, the highest depreciating vehicles lose between 37.3% to 45.6% more of their original value compared with the average vehicle. A mix of luxury sedans and electric vehicles depreciate the most, with the Maserati Quattroporte losing the most with an average of 72.2% of its value. That amounts to $95,393, according to iSeeCars.

Five additional luxury sedans in addition to the Quattroporte make the list of highest depreciating vehicles, including the BMW 7 Series at No. 2, the BMW 5 Series at No. 5, the Acura RLX at No. 6, the BMW 6 Series at No. 8, and the Jaguar XJL at No. 9.

“Luxury cars have steep depreciation because owners likely trade them in when they become outdated and used car buyers don’t want to pay a high premium on a dated model,” Ly said. “Additionally, they are expensive to maintain and the high cost of ownership impacts resale value.”

Alternative-fuel vehicles making the list of highest-depreciating vehicles include the electric Nissan LEAF at No. 3, the BMW i3 at No. 4, the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid at No. 7, and the Chevrolet Volt plug-in-hybrid at No. 10.

“Previous government incentives contribute to the steep depreciation of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles because their resale value is based off their lower post-incentive sticker price,” Ly said. “Outdated technology also contributes to their dramatic depreciation as well as range anxiety.”