Which Diesel Truck Holds its Value Best?

When it comes to buying cars, a really important factor to keep in mind is how well they will hold their value. What are the depreciation rates and resale value for the models you’re looking at? With diesel trucks, that can be especially helpful in determining which route to take. That being said, which of the various diesel truck has the lowest depreciation rate and best resale value?

Depending on the year, make, model, and predicted 5-year depreciation rates and resale values, the diesel truck that holds its value the best would be either the Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, the Toyota Tacoma, the GMC Sierra HD, or the Nissan Frontier.

That’s the general, quick answer to the question, but there is far more to the story. To really determine which of the four diesel trucks listed holds its value the best, especially when so many factors contribute to that question, let’s take a deeper look into the logistics behind each of those four diesel trucks.

Diesel Truck #1: Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

Out of the cars that came out in the year 2020, the Chevrolet Silverado HD, specifically the 2500 HD and the 3500 HD, is projected to have the greatest value retention after 5 years, or when it reaches the year 2025. By that point, it looks like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD will still have 60.1% of its full-price value. Much of that return is due to some of the desirable features in the newer models.

For example, the wheelbase is a few inches longer, and it can now tow 35,500 pounds. Also, with one of the engine options (the new, standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine), the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HP has 404 horsepower and reaches 464 pound-feet in torque. For the other engine option (the Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8), it has a 10-speed automatic transmission, has 445 horsepower, and can reach a rate of 910 pound-feet of torque.

As for the not-so-recent models that have come out for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, things are still incredibly promising. In fact, the current 5-year depreciation rate for the 2013 year make and model of the Chevrolet Silverado in general stands around 29.5%, so it is tied with the 2013 year make and model of the Toyota Tacoma for the lowest 5-year depreciation rate.

As for the make and model for the year 2019, it only had a predicated 5-year depreciation rate of 34% come the year 2024. The biggest difference is that the Chevrolet Silverado is more heavy-duty compared to the Toyota Tacoma.

When looking at the best pickup trucks based on their value, or what features they have, and the price they cost, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is definitely ranked at or near the top. With its four-wheel drive, custom crew cab, the towing capacity of 18,500 pounds, various trim levels, and assistance systems, it offers a lot of value considering the amount of money it costs to purchase and maintain the truck.

Sources: Forbes, Autobytel, Pickup Truck News, Pickup Truck Talk, and True Car

Diesel Truck #2: Toyota Tacoma

Back in 2018, the 2013 year make and model of the Toyota Tacoma was ranked as the best in depreciation rates for light-duty pickup trucks, and the second-best overall when factoring in all pickup trucks. At that point, it only had a 29.5% depreciation rate over a five-year time period.

As for the make and models for the years 2019 and 2020, the average 5-year depreciation on the Toyota Tacoma was only 32% which is remarkable and not very different from the 2013 year make and model! It has continued to add all kinds of upgrades and gadgets, and it continues to be one of the most constant and consistent vehicles when it comes to resale value and low depreciation rates.

Sources: Autoblog, Pickup Truck News, Autobytel, and Pickup Truck Talk

Diesel Truck #3: GMC Sierra HD

When looking at cars with the make year of 2018, the GMC Sierra HD had the highest resale value out of all of the heavy-duty trucks, although that was just a tad above the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado HD. The GMC Sierra HD is expected to retain nearly 60% of the original value after 5 years have passed come the year 2023.

A few of the biggest features that give it such a high retail value are the All-Terrain X HD package that many outdoor enthusiasts have added, the towing range of 20,000 pounds with the crew cab diesel or 22,700 pounds with the gooseneck, and the new grille designs, cameras, and other features such as the tire fill alert.

To further paint the picture, let’s look at the 2019 and 2021 year make of the GMC Sierra HD. It is predicted that the 2019 GMC Sierra HD 2500 will have a 5-year depreciation rate of 35.8%, and the 2019 GMC Sierra HD 3500 will have a 5-year depreciation rate of 35.4% come the year 2024. The 2021 make of the truck will keep 56.8% of its original value by the time the truck reaches 5 years of use in 2026.

With a specific gear and wheel configuration, the 2021 GMC Sierra HD 3500 can carry 6,610 pounds and reach up to 36,000 pounds in towing capacity. That’s pretty impressive, to say the least! When the whole picture is put together, the GMC Sierra HD is obviously a very nice, high-end, valuable heavy-duty truck.

Sources: Fremont Motors, Pickup Truck Talk, and Kelly Blue Book

Diesel Truck #4: Nissan Frontier

When looking at the predicted 5-year depreciation rate for the 2019 year make and model of the Nissan Frontier, the outlook seems promising. It is likely to have a depreciation rate as low as 39.5% come the year 2024. Also, based on iSeeCar’s data on resale values for the year 2020, the Nissan Frontier had the best resale value after 5 years in time, and it is believed to only lose 43.5% of its value once it reaches another 5 years making up a total of 10 years.

That is quite impressive when considering the value it will still have as it is really hard to find a car that can maintain that high of a resale value, or that low of a depreciation rate, after 10 years of use. This is a particularly fun choice for those who are more wary of all of the new technology because the Nissan Frontier is more traditional.

Sources: Motor Biscuit, and Pickup Truck Talk