Crossovers and body-on-frame SUVs accounted for roughly 53% of US vehicle sales in 2022. This market segment – the largest in the American auto industry – is the battlefield for Japanese models like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, the Lexus RX, and many others. Japanese SUVs compete in almost every size class in the US market, and except in the full-size SUV segment, Japanese models are doing very well.
Many Americans started buying Japanese vehicles due to the build quality, performance, affordability, and reliability that many iconic models like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Hilux, and Subaru Outback have exemplified over several decades. Due to the widespread customer satisfaction that many Japanese models fostered, the demand for these vehicles eventually soared both in the showrooms and in the used car market. As a natural consequence of all these factors, many Japanese models – SUVs included – were able to retain their market values better than other vehicles can.
Most cars lose 20% of their market value after the first year of ownership, and on average, they retain only 40% of their original sticker price after 5 years of ownership. Some Japanese SUVs, however, can retain more than 60% of their original prices even after half a decade of operation. This makes them great buys, especially if you plan to trade them in to upgrade to a newer model every few years.
Using cross-referenced resale value and used car pricing data from Kelley Blue Book (KBB), J.D. Power, Consumer Reports (CR), and Edmunds, here are 10 Japanese SUVs – produced within the last 5 years – that maintain their resale values the best.
10 2019 Honda HR-V - Best Resale Value Award Winner: Sub-compact Crossover/SUV Category
The HR-V – powered by a 1.8-liter I-4 engine with 141 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque – is Honda's entry in the sub-compact class of the crossover SUV segment. For 2019, the Honda HR-V received a refreshed front and rear exterior design, as well as a new infotainment system and the Honda Sensing suite of safety features. Two new trims – Sport and Touring – were added to the lineup.
The 2019 Honda HR-V was KBB's sub-compact SUV category winner for the Best Resale Value Awards. Moreover, J.D. Power gave the Honda sub-compact crossover a resale value score of 89/100. Currently, a used 2019 Honda HR-V sells for $19,375 to $25,175 – a great resale value considering that the vehicle had a $21,515 base price almost 4 years ago.
9 2019 Lexus UX - Best Resale Value Award Winner: Sub-compact Luxury Crossover/SUV Category
The Lexus UX debuted in 2019 as the luxury brand's smallest crossover. Powered either by a standard 2.0-liter gas engine (169 hp, 151 lb-ft) or by a 181-hp hybrid powertrain using the same gasoline mill, the sub-compact UX SUV is also the most affordable Lexus model.
Right off the bat, the 2019 Lexus UX won KBB's Best Resale Value Award for the sub-compact luxury crossover SUV category. J.D. Power also gave this sub-compact Lexus crossover a "great" resale value score of 82/100, along with a quality and reliability score of 88/100. Currently, a used 2019 Lexus UX can fetch $26,400 to $30,700 -– just a few thousand dollars down from its $32,000 base sticker price in 2019.
8 2019 Lexus RX - Best Resale Value Award Winner: 2-Row Luxury Midsize SUV Category
The midsize Lexus RX crossover SUV is America's best-selling luxury vehicle for 2022. Using either a 3.5-liter V6 engine (290 hp, 267 lb-ft) or a 308-hp hybrid V6 power plant, the Lexus RX is a capable and versatile crossover that comes either in a 5-seater or a 7-seater long-wheelbase format. For the 2019 model year, the Lexus RX received only a few minor changes in its driver-aid system and infotainment connectivity.
The 2019 Lexus RX topped KBB's 2-row luxury midsize category in the Best Resale Value Awards for the year. J.D. Power also gave this Lexus midsize crossover an 82/100 resale value score and an 85/100 quality and reliability score. Today, the most affordable pre-owned 2019 Lexus RX sells for roughly $37,000 – approximately 18% less than its brand-new base price of $45,000 from 4 years ago.
7 2020 Toyota Highlander - Best Resale Value Award Winner: 3-Row Midsize SUV Category
The Toyota Highlander is one of the best-selling 3-row midsize SUVs in the US market. In 2020, Toyota gave the Highlander a full redesign, giving the SUV a much-needed new look, a larger 3rd-row cargo area, standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) driver aids, and for the first time, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The previous-generation Highlander's 3.5-liter V6 engine (295 hp, 263 lb-ft) was carried over, but the 243-hp, 2.5-liter hybrid I-4 power plant received some improvements to achieve better fuel economy (35 MPG).
KBB gave the 2020 Toyota Highlander the top award for the Best Resale Value in the 3-Row Midsize SUV category, while J.D. Power chimed in with a 90/100 resale value score and an 85/100 quality and durability rating. CR also added a 4/5 reliability verdict, helping the 2020 Toyota Highlander maintain a $30,600 to $45,400 resale value today. Note that the Highlander had a brand-new base price of only $36,000 in 2020, so this resale value is very beneficial to Highlander owners.
6 2020 Lexus GX - Best Resale Value Award Winner: 3-Row Luxury Midsize SUV Category
The Lexus GX is a 7-seater SUV that uses a 4.6-liter V8 power plant (301 hp, 329 lb-ft) and a body-on-frame architecture derived from the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. For the 2020 model year, the Lexus GX received a new grille, a new headlight design, Crawl Control, a Multi-Terrain selector, and a standardized Lexus Safety System Plus for all grades. New exterior accents, extra under-body protection, and a 360-degree camera system were also offered as optional upgrades.
The 2020 Lexus GX won KBB's Best Resale Value Award for the 3-row luxury midsize SUV category, and it also garnered high reliability scores from J.D. Power (87/100) and CR (5/5). Currently, a 2020 Lexus GX still commands $48,000 – $53,175 in the used car market – not very far from its brand-new base price of $53,000 during its release year.
5 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid - Best Resale Value Award Winner: Hybrid Vehicle Category
Last 2022, the Toyota RAV4 was the best-selling SUV not only in the US but also in the whole world. The RAV4 Hybrid adds more power and fuel economy to the compact SUV nameplate's portfolio with a 219-hp 2.5-liter hybrid engine that returns 40 MPG. For 2021, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received Android Auto compatibility, a 3-month free trial of Sirius XM, a power driver's seat for the XLE trim, and a new TRD Off-road trim.
KBB gave the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid a consumer review score of 4.8/5, as well as the Best Resale Value Award for the hybrid vehicle category. CR also gave the hybrid compact SUV a 4/5 reliability verdict. Today, a used 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid still sells for $28,100 to $41,400.
4 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser - Top 10 Best Resale Value Awardee
The Land Cruiser is Toyota's legendary flagship SUV, which conquered all manners of off-road terrain, served in numerous armed conflicts, and more recently, gained prestige in the urban jungle. The 2021 Land Cruiser used Toyota's revered 5.7-liter V8 engine – the same one that powered the previous-generation Lexus LX 570, Toyota Sequoia, and Toyota Tundra. Sadly; however, the 2021 Land Cruiser was the nameplate's final model year in the US – and that is possibly one of the reasons why the demand for it spiked up, along with its market value.
The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was among the Top 10 Best Resale Value Award winners for the year, which meant that after 5 years, it will retain its resale value better than 95% of all other models currently in the US market. Today, a used 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser can sell for $88,500 to $95,300 – several thousand dollars higher than its brand-new 2020 price range of $85,415 to $89,265. Now that's what you call a proper investment.
3 2023 Subaru Forester - Top 10 Best Resale Value Awardee
The Subaru Forester is one of the more affordable Japanese compact crossover SUVs in the US market. Using a 2.5-liter flat-four engine that delivers an ample power output of 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, the Subaru Forester is a great family SUV. However, the Forester also has a trail-bred Wilderness trim for more adventurous buyers.
The 2023 Subaru Forester is one of KBB's Top 10 Best Resale Value Award winners, with a 5-year resale value forecasted at 60.6% of its current showroom price. J.D. Power also gave the 2023 Subaru Forester a resale value score of 85/100 and a quality and reliability score of 84/100.
2 2023 Subaru Crosstrek - Top 10 Best Resale Value Awardee
The Subaru Crosstrek is the Forester's smaller, sub-compact crossover brother that uses either a 2.0-liter flat-4 engine (152 hp, 145 lb-ft) or the same 2.5-liter mill of the Forester to carry people and cargo inside its above-average cabin space. Like all its Subaru crossover siblings (Outback and Forester), the Crosstrek is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) crossover SUV that has a trail-ready Wilderness trim.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek didn't receive any improvements from the previous model year, but a new Special Edition trim was added prior to the 2024 redesign year's release. With a 5-year projected resale value of 61%, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek got one of the top 10 spots in KBB's Best Resale Value awards. J.D. Power also echoed the acclaim with an 86/100 resale value score.
1 2023 Toyota 4Runner - Top 10 Best Resale Value Awardee
Topping this list is the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, an off-road-capable midsize SUV that's already in the 14th model year of its 5th generation. Many industry experts and enthusiasts expect the 2023 Toyota 4Runner to be the last of its batch, as there are a lot of speculations about the all-new 2024 Toyota 4Runner. Probably as a last hurrah, Toyota gave the 2023 4Runner a 40th Anniversary Special Edition.
With a 64.4% forecasted 5-year resale value, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner claimed one of the slots for KBB's Top 10 Best Resale Value Awards for the year. J.D. Power also approves of this SUV with a 90/100 resale value score and an 87/100 quality and reliability score.