Buying a new pickup truck requires a substantial financial commitment, making five-year depreciation a critical factor for smart buyers. While the Ford F-150 remains America’s top-selling vehicle, several competing models across compact, midsize, full-size, and heavy-duty segments lose far less value over time.
This guide analyzes five pickup trucks—the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Ford Super Duty, and Ford Maverick—that beat the Ford F-150 in five-year value retention. Utilizing depreciation data from iSeeCars and CarEdge, truck buyers can evaluate which models retain the highest percentage of their original sticker price.
Depreciation Comparison: Retained Value After 5 Years
The table below highlights how much value each pickup retains after five years of ownership compared to the baseline Ford F-150:
| Pickup Truck Model | Vehicle Class | iSeeCars Retained Value | CarEdge Retained Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 (Baseline) | Full-Size Half-Ton | 61.4% | 50.5% |
| Ford Ranger | Midsize | 68.8% | 71.6% |
| Toyota Tacoma | Midsize | 80.0%+ | 78.4% |
| Toyota Tundra | Full-Size Half-Ton | 80.3% | 73.9% |
| Ford Super Duty | Heavy-Duty | 75.0% – 79.0% | Outperforms F-150 |
| Ford Maverick | Compact Unibody | 68.2% | 61.1% |
Ford Ranger
Reintroduced to the North American market in 2019, the modern Ford Ranger has established itself as a top choice in the midsize truck market. Offered in configurations ranging from standard XL work trims to the performance-oriented Ranger Raptor, the lineup mirrors the variety of its larger sibling.
Data indicates that the Ranger keeps its value significantly better than the F-150. iSeeCars projects the Ranger to retain 68.8% of its original MSRP after five years—more than 7 percentage points higher than the F-150. CarEdge shows an even wider gap, placing the Ranger’s retained value at 71.6% compared to the F-150’s 50.5%.
While the full-size F-150 offers greater towing and payload limits, the Ranger provides a more resilient investment for drivers who do not need maximum cab space or heavy towing capacity.
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma occupies a smaller segment than full-size pickups, but its legendary resale strength makes it a mandatory consideration for value-focused buyers. The Tacoma consistently leads the entire pickup industry in overall value retention.
According to iSeeCars, the Tacoma retains over 80% of its original value after five years, holding a nearly 20% advantage over the F-150. CarEdge figures reinforce this trend, recording a 78.4% retained value for the Tacoma—nearly 30 percentage points higher than the full-size Ford.
For shoppers torn between buying a midsize or full-size truck, the Tacoma’s lower upfront cost combined with minimal depreciation makes a compelling financial case.
Toyota Tundra
Buyers strictly shopping for a half-ton, full-size pickup will find a direct competitor to the F-150 in the Toyota Tundra. Despite mechanical updates and recalls affecting the current platform, market demand for the Tundra remains exceptionally strong.
iSeeCars reports that the Tundra retains 80.3% of its original value after five years, outperforming the F-150 by nearly 20 percentage points. CarEdge metrics list the Tundra at a 73.9% retention rate, giving Toyota a 23.4% advantage in the half-ton segment.
Although the F-150 dominates overall sales volume, the Tundra remains the superior option for minimizing long-term depreciation on a full-size truck.
Ford Super Duty
For buyers needing maximum capability beyond the half-ton class, Ford’s F-250, F-350, and F-450 Super Duty trucks offer higher payload ratings and optional Power Stroke diesel engines. Interestingly, moving up to these commercial-grade trucks also yields better resale performance.
Data from iSeeCars shows Super Duty models maintaining resale values in the mid-to-high 70% range after five years. CarEdge data confirms that Super Duty trucks depreciate at a visibly slower rate than the standard F-150 over identical ownership windows.
Super Duty models carry higher purchase prices and fuel expenses, but their ability to preserve equity helps offset the initial financial outlay for heavy-duty operators.
Ford Maverick
Positioned at the entry level of Ford’s truck portfolio, the compact Maverick unibody pickup presents another strong alternative to the F-150. Featuring an available hybrid powertrain and a lower sticker price, the Maverick commands high demand on the second-hand market.
Over a five-year period, iSeeCars projects the Maverick to retain 68.2% of its original price tag—outperforming the F-150 by roughly 7%. CarEdge estimates a 61.1% five-year retained value, maintaining a 10% lead over the half-ton baseline.
While the Maverick cannot match the towing capacity or cabin volume of an F-150, its affordability, fuel economy, and slow value loss create an outstanding overall value proposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Toyota Tacoma hold its value better than the Ford F-150?
The Toyota Tacoma benefits from a long-standing reputation for durability and strong consumer demand on the secondary market. Because used inventory remains tight relative to buyer demand, resale prices remain higher than those of high-volume half-ton fleet trucks.
Do heavy-duty trucks like the Ford Super Duty always depreciate slower than half-ton trucks?
Generally, heavy-duty trucks retain a higher percentage of their original price because commercial buyers and contractors actively seek durable diesel engines and high towing capacities on the used market. This steady demand keeps residual values strong.
Is a compact truck like the Ford Maverick a practical alternative to an F-150?
For truck owners who do not require heavy trailering capacity or extreme off-road capability, the Ford Maverick is a practical alternative. It delivers significantly lower initial purchase costs, superior fuel economy, and better equity retention over five years.