When shopping for a new vehicle, the sticker price tells only part of the story. Smart buyers know that long-term value - how much your vehicle will be worth years down the road - can make or break your financial return. This is where residual value and retained value come into play. Residual value refers to the predicted future worth of a vehicle, a key factor in determining lease payments. Retained value measures the actual resale price a vehicle commands after several years of ownership. Both metrics directly impact your wallet: higher retained value means lower lease payments, stronger trade-in equity, and less depreciation over time.
In Canada, the gold standard for measuring retained value is the Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Awards. These awards recognize vehicles that retain the highest percentage of their original MSRP after four years. For 2025, Canadian Black Book analyzed 2022 model year vehicles across 15 categories, plus four Overall Brand categories. The results? A clear roadmap for buyers seeking maximum value.
|
Award Category |
Winner |
|
Overall Brand Award: Mainstream |
Toyota |
|
Mainstream Car |
Toyota Corolla |
|
Mainstream PHEV |
Toyota RAV4 Prime |
|
Small/Mid Pickup |
Toyota Tacoma |
|
Full-Size Pickup |
Toyota Tundra |
|
Mainstream Sub-Compact/Compact SUV |
Toyota C-HR |
|
Mainstream Mid/Full-Size SUV |
Toyota 4Runner |
|
2026 North American Car of the Year |
Dodge Charger |
|
2025 North American Car of the Year |
Honda Civic Hybrid |
|
2026 NACTOY Truck Finalists |
Ram 1500, Ram 2500 HD |
Toyota's dominance in the 2025 Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Awards is remarkable. The brand swept seven awards, including the prestigious Overall Brand Award in the Mainstream category. This means that, on average, Toyota vehicles retain a higher percentage of their original MSRP after four years than any other mainstream brand in Canada.
What drives this success? Toyota's reputation for quality and dependability translates directly into stronger resale values. Buyers know that a used Toyota is a safe bet - lower maintenance costs, fewer breakdowns, and a proven track record of longevity. This confidence shows in the used-car market, where Toyota models consistently command premium prices.
Toyota Corolla (Mainstream Car): Canada's best-selling compact car for decades, the Corolla's fuel efficiency, low ownership costs, and bulletproof reliability make it a perennial resale champion.
Toyota RAV4 Prime (Mainstream PHEV): The RAV4 Prime pairs plug-in hybrid efficiency with Toyota's legendary SUV versatility. Assembled in Canada at Toyota's Ontario facilities, the RAV4 Prime offers up to 68 km of all-electric range and 302 combined horsepower.
Toyota Tacoma (Small/Mid Pickup): The Tacoma's off-road prowess, rugged durability, and loyal fan base ensure it holds its value better than any other midsize truck.
Toyota Tundra (Full-Size Pickup): The Tundra's full-size capability, available i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain (up to 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque), and Toyota's reputation for reliability make it a standout in the competitive full-size truck segment.
Toyota C-HR (Mainstream Sub-Compact/Compact SUV): The C-HR's bold styling, efficient powertrain, and Toyota's quality engineering deliver strong retained value in the subcompact SUV class.
Toyota 4Runner (Mainstream Mid/Full-Size SUV): The 4Runner's body-on-frame construction, legendary off-road capability, and timeless design have made it a cult favourite. The all-new 2026 4Runner continues this legacy with available i-FORCE MAX hybrid power (326 hp, 465 lb-ft), advanced off-road tech, and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard.
Honda's reputation for engineering excellence and long-term reliability translates into strong residual value across its lineup. The brand's performance in prestigious awards - particularly the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) and IIHS Top Safety Pick programs - reinforces its value proposition.
The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid was named North American Car of the Year, marking a record fourth win for the Civic nameplate - more than any other model in the award's 30+ year history. Positioned at the top of the 11th-generation Civic lineup, the Civic Hybrid pairs the fun-to-drive spirit of Civic with the award-winning Honda two-motor hybrid system.
The Civic Hybrid Sedan is proudly built at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario. With over 60% of Civic sales in Canada expected to be hybrid models, the Civic Hybrid is a key part of Honda's electrification strategy.
Safety is a critical component of residual value - vehicles with top safety ratings command higher resale prices. In 2025, Honda earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards for the Civic Hatchback, Accord, and HR-V, plus Top Safety Pick honours for the Civic Sedan and Pilot.
While Toyota and Honda dominate the mainstream and compact segments, Dodge and Ram are making waves in the performance car and truck categories.
The 2026 Dodge Charger multi-energy lineup was named 2026 North American Car of the Year. Assembled in Canada at the Windsor Assembly Plant, the Charger offers two powertrain options:
Ram earned two of three finalist spots for the 2026 North American Truck of the Year - the first time Ram has achieved this in the award's 32-year history.
For Maximum Retained Value: Choose Toyota. With seven Canadian Black Book awards and the Overall Brand Award (Mainstream), Toyota offers the strongest retained value in Canada.
For Hybrid Efficiency and Safety: Choose Honda. The Civic Hybrid's NACTOY win and Honda's IIHS Top Safety Pick dominance make it a smart choice for buyers prioritizing efficiency and safety.
For Performance and Multi-Energy Flexibility: Choose Dodge. The 2026 Charger's NACTOY win and multi-energy lineup (SIXPACK gas or all-electric Daytona) offer performance buyers a future-proof choice.
For Truck Capability: Choose Ram. The Ram 1500 and 2500 HD's NACTOY finalist status, best-in-class towing, and 10-year / 160,000 km powertrain warranty deliver unmatched peace of mind.
For Luxury: Choose Audi or Mercedes-Benz. Both brands offer premium features, advanced technology, and strong resale values in the luxury segment.
Residual value is about peace of mind, lower ownership costs, and the confidence that your investment will hold its worth. Whether you're drawn to Toyota's unmatched retained value, Honda's hybrid efficiency, Dodge's performance heritage, or Ram's truck capability, Humberview Group offers one of the widest selections of award-winning brands in Ontario.
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