Top 10 Cars With the Worst Residual Value

If you're shopping for a new car, you'll want to put residual value on your list of factors to consider. Vehicles with higher residual values come with lower monthly payments should you decide to lease and improved resale value should you decide to buy. This list spotlights the cars with the lowest residual values — that is, they're likely to depreciate the most during the ownership period. Below, we show the percentage of its original value that each vehicle is likely to retain after five years with an annual mileage of 15,000. Residual value percentages are based on the national True Market Value (TMV^®) price, plus typical options and destination charge.

These cars aren't as bad a deal as you might think. Many of them are very inexpensive to begin with. Furthermore, cars with low residual values can be bargains when purchased used, since you'll likely be able to purchase a car on this list for far less than you'd pay for a competing vehicle more adept at holding its value. Note that the rankings and figures on this list are updated monthly.

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   1. 2006 Kia Rio — 20.7%