Cool Trucks, Bad Investments
Not every pickup is a safe bet when it comes to resale. Some trucks look great rolling off the lot but tank in value faster than you’d expect. From gas-guzzlers to niche oddballs, these are the pickups that can hit your wallet hard when it’s time to trade in.
#25 – Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Silverado 1500 with its 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engines is capable, but oversupply on the used market drives steep depreciation. Within five years, values drop nearly 40%. It’s a strong performer, but the abundance of models and trims means buyers have plenty of choices, pushing resale down.
#24 – GMC Sierra 1500
Sharing engines and chassis with the Silverado, the Sierra 1500 suffers similar depreciation. Despite premium Denali trims, it loses about 38% of its value in five years. Buyers see little difference compared to a Silverado, and high new prices mean used models take a resale hit.
HJUdall, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
#23 – Ford F-150 (Certain Trims)
The F-150 overall holds value, but high-volume trims like XLT and Lariat depreciate faster. With so many on the market, five-year depreciation averages 35%. Fleet sales and heavy discounts when new also reduce used value, despite strong capability and a wide variety of engines.
Artistic Operations, Getty Images
#22 – Ram 1500 Classic
Still sold alongside the newer model, the Ram 1500 Classic with older HEMI or V6 engines depreciates quickly. Buyers often prefer the updated design, so five-year values fall about 36%. Its role as a budget-friendly option hurts resale when newer, more advanced versions are widely available.
Ruben de Rijcke, Wikimedia Commons
#21 – Nissan Titan
The Titan’s 5.6L V8 delivers 400 hp, but limited popularity means values fall quickly. Five-year depreciation sits near 40%, worse than rivals. A lack of trims and lower sales volume hurt demand, making used Titans harder to resell despite solid reliability.
#20 – Honda Ridgeline
Honda’s unibody pickup has a loyal following, but resale is weak compared to rivals. With its 3.5L V6, it depreciates around 38% in five years. Buyers often overlook it for more traditional body-on-frame trucks, leaving it with higher depreciation despite comfort and reliability.
#19 – Chevrolet Colorado
The midsize Colorado depreciates about 37% in five years. Gasoline models with the 2.5L or 3.6L engines are less desirable than the diesel version, contributing to quicker depreciation. While practical and comfortable, competition from the Toyota Tacoma keeps resale lower.
Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
#18 – GMC Canyon
Like the Colorado, the Canyon faces higher depreciation than rivals. Its premium trims don’t hold value as well, with average five-year depreciation near 36%. Buyers often look to Toyota or even Ford’s Ranger for longer-lasting value, leaving the Canyon behind in resale performance.
#17 – Toyota Tundra (Pre-2022 Models)
While newer hybrid Tundras are strong, older V8 versions depreciate around 35%. Poor fuel economy from the 5.7L V8 makes them less desirable, and older interior tech hurts resale. Though reliable, they fall behind newer competitors that deliver better MPG and modern amenities.
#16 – Jeep Gladiator
The Gladiator’s 3.6L V6 delivers off-road fun, but resale is weaker than expected. Many buyers see it as a Wrangler with a bed, and higher MSRPs scare off used buyers. Depreciation averages 35% in five years, worse than midsize rivals like the Tacoma.
Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
#15 – Ram 2500 Gas Models
The Ram 2500 with a 6.4L HEMI loses value faster than its diesel counterpart. Depreciation averages 36% after five years. Buyers usually prefer the torque and longevity of Cummins diesels, leaving gas models less desirable on the used market.
#14 – Ford Ranger (Older Models)
The modern Ranger holds better value, but earlier 2.3L EcoBoost models from its reintroduction depreciate about 35% in five years. Supply is high and competition is stiff in the midsize truck market, driving resale values down despite solid performance.
#13 – Chevrolet Silverado HD
Heavy-duty Silverado models with gas engines depreciate around 38%. While Duramax diesels hold value better, the gas-powered versions fall hard due to lower demand. Buyers seeking heavy-duty trucks often skip gas engines entirely, leading to weak resale numbers.
#12 – GMC Sierra HD
Like the Silverado HD, Sierra HD gas models depreciate quickly. Five-year losses average 37%. Diesel models fare better, but expensive new prices and limited interest in gas versions make depreciation steep, especially when compared to Ford Super Duty and Ram HD trucks.
#11 – Nissan Frontier (Pre-2022 Models)
The older 4.0L V6 Frontier lags behind in tech and MPG, causing it to depreciate around 36% in five years. While the redesigned version is stronger, used buyers hesitate on outdated models, keeping resale values low despite decent reliability and ruggedness.
LukaCali, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
#10 – Ford Super Duty Gas Models
Super Duty trucks with gas engines depreciate faster than diesel. A 7.3L “Godzilla” V8 may be powerful, but resale is weaker compared to Power Stroke diesels. Five-year depreciation averages 35%, as most buyers in this segment prefer diesel strength for long-term use.
#9 – Ram 3500 Gas Models
Like other HD gas trucks, Ram 3500 versions without Cummins power see weaker resale. Depreciation sits near 37% after five years. Buyers spending big on HD trucks tend to go straight for diesel, leaving gas-powered 3500s with worse depreciation.
order_242, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
#8 – Chevrolet Avalanche
Though discontinued in 2013, the Avalanche depreciated steeply when new and continues to lag in resale. Unique styling and limited demand mean values plummet around 40% in five years. It’s a versatile truck-SUV, but not one that used buyers chase eagerly.
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Wikimedia Commons
#7 – GMC Syclone
This turbocharged pickup was powerful but niche. While rare today, it depreciated massively when new, losing about 40% quickly. Collectors have since revived its value, but its initial market failure makes it one of the worst depreciation stories in pickup history.
#6 – Nissan Titan XD Diesel
The Cummins-powered Titan XD seemed promising, but poor sales and high repair costs doomed it. Depreciation averages over 45% in five years. Nissan dropped the diesel entirely, and used buyers remain wary, making it one of the hardest trucks to resell.
Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
#5 – Ford Explorer Sport Trac
This SUV-pickup crossover never quite found its market. With V6 and V8 options, it depreciated nearly 45% over five years. Buyers preferred traditional trucks, leaving Sport Trac values weak. While versatile, it never gained enough popularity to support strong resale.
#4 – Ram Dakota
The Dakota, offered with V6 and V8 engines, depreciated fast before its discontinuation in 2011. With five-year losses over 40%, it struggled against midsize competitors. Today, resale remains poor due to dated styling, limited aftermarket support, and lack of brand revival.
RL GNZLZ from Chile, Wikimedia Commons
#3 – Lincoln Mark LT
A luxury twin to the Ford F-150, the Mark LT’s 5.4L V8 and upscale interior didn’t convince buyers. Depreciation hit 50% in five years. Luxury trucks weren’t widely accepted at the time, and the Mark LT became a quick casualty on the resale market.
#2 – Cadillac Escalade EXT
Like the Avalanche, the Escalade EXT mixed SUV luxury with truck design. Its 6.2L V8 made 403 hp, but resale was awful. It depreciated more than 50% in five years. Luxury pricing combined with limited demand sank its resale values fast.
#1 – Hummer H2 SUT
The H2 SUT’s 6.0L V8 and flashy styling made it a statement truck, but resale was terrible. With fuel economy in the low teens, it depreciated over 55% in five years. Once a status symbol, it became one of the worst-value pickups when fuel prices rose.
order_242 from Chile, Wikimedia Commons
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