New Cars With the Worst Resale Value in 2026

The Durango is big and powerful, but here’s the problem: it also drinks a lot of fuel. That scares some used buyers who worry about running costs. Dodge SUVs with high gas use tend to lose value faster because buyers want cheaper-to-run options. When gas prices rise, resale drops even more. The Durango looks great and drives well, but that pump hesitation shows up in price. Many buyers opt for smaller, more efficient SUVs instead. Families might love it, but that doesn’t protect resale value. Over time, Durangos tend to lose money faster than smaller SUVs. Beyond just the fuel economy, the higher cost of parts and specialized maintenance for these heavy-duty powertrains can make second-hand owners nervous. In a market where efficiency is king, a thirsty V8 becomes a luxury that many used shoppers simply aren't willing to subsidize, leading to a steeper depreciation curve than its more modest competitors

The Compass might have the Jeep name, but it doesn’t have the strong resale value people expect from the brand. Most buyers think of Wranglers and big, tough Jeeps that hold their value well. The Compass, however, feels more like a regular small SUV with a Jeep badge. There are also a lot of them on the road, which means lots of used ones for sale later. When buyers have many choices, the price drops fast. Add in a lack of real driving excitement, and you’ve got a car with really bad resale value. 

The Malibu is one of those calm, comfortable sedans. The problem is, sedans just aren’t popular anymore. Most buyers now want SUVs or crossovers, so sedans like the Malibu sit on dealer lots for way longer. It’s simple and affordable, sure, but being too simple hurts the resale. People today want excitement and fun in a car. Demand is also low, and when fewer people want the car, you have to lower the price. Low demand almost always means a lower resale value. 

The Edge is not a bad SUV, but it doesn’t stand out. It’s not sporty, not super fancy, and not very exciting. That makes it easy to ignore when buying used. Ford hasn’t changed the Edge much over the years, so older ones look very similar to new ones. That makes buyers ask, “Why pay more?” When buyers think like that, resale prices fall. The Edge also faces strong competition from newer SUVs with better tech and fuel savings, which pushes its value down even faster. Trying to sell one in 2026 is going to be a challenge. 

The Charger looks super tough and aggressive, sure, but the V6 version doesn’t deliver the muscle people expect. Most buyers want a V8 with the engine that sounds loud, feels powerful, and makes the car truly exciting. Dodge fans, however, usually skip V6 Chargers when shopping used because they just don’t give that full muscle-car experience. That means V6 models stay on dealer lots longer, and sellers have to drop the price to sell them. The car still looks cool and handles fine, but most buyers care more about what’s under the hood than the paint job. Without the V8, resale falls fast.

The Trax is small, easy to drive, and very affordable. That makes it popular for first-time buyers or people who just need a simple car. The problem comes later when it comes time to sell. Chevrolet sells so many Trax models that the used market ends up flooded with them. When buyers see lots of similar cars for sale, they don’t feel pressured to pay full price. They can wait for discounts, and that pushes resale down fast. The Trax also doesn’t feel exciting or special. It’s practical, but practical cars usually lose value faster. 

The Mustang name screams speed and power, but the EcoBoost version has a smaller turbo engine instead of a V8. That engine is great for fuel economy, but many Mustang fans want the loud V8 experience. Used buyers often skip EcoBoost models because they don’t feel exciting enough. That means EcoBoost Mustangs sit on dealer lots longer, and longer sitting means lower resale prices. Even though it’s fast, fun, and modern, it just doesn’t hold value the same way the V8 does. Buyers want the full Mustang thrill, and the EcoBoost falls short in their eyes.

The Envision is quiet, smooth, and comfortable, but it doesn’t grab attention like some SUVs. Many buyers prefer flashy imports or SUVs with fancy features, so the Envision can get overlooked. Buick also doesn’t have the strongest resale reputation, which makes buyers cautious. When people are unsure about a car’s future value, they offer less money. The Envision blends in and doesn’t stand out in a crowded SUV market. It’s a nice car to drive, but “nice” alone isn’t enough to protect resale. That’s why you’ll see used Envisions dropping in value faster than expected.

The Fusion is mostly sold to fleets, like rental companies and businesses. Fleet cars are usually driven a lot and don’t come with many extra features. That means when it’s time to sell, used buyers are cautious. Ford has also moved away from focusing on sedans, so the Fusion feels less exciting compared to SUVs and EVs. Even though it’s reliable, people shopping used often see it as outdated. Lower demand means lower resale prices. A Fusion can still get you from A to B easily, but don’t expect it to hold value like other cars on the market.

The Cherokee is kind of stuck in the middle. It’s not as rugged as classic Jeeps, and it’s not as modern as newer SUVs, and that confuses buyers. Jeep fans look elsewhere for toughness, and non-Jeep buyers often skip it, too. The design feels a little old compared to other mid-size SUVs, and buyers notice that quickly. When interest is low, sellers have to drop prices to move cars. That means Cherokees lose value faster than more popular Jeep models like the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee. It drives fine, but resale is weak because buyers are picky.

Small crossovers like the Encore are very common now, and that’s part of the problem. Buick sells plenty of them, which fills the used market with lots of similar cars. When buyers have lots of options, they can wait for discounts and push prices down. The Encore is comfortable and easy to drive, but it doesn’t feel very exciting or powerful. Many younger buyers ignore it, which limits demand even more. Oversupply and low excitement combine to hurt resale. In simple terms, it’s a nice car, but too many of them and not enough excitement.

Gas-only SUVs like the Equinox are slowly losing their appeal because hybrids and EVs are getting popular. Chevrolet also sells a lot of Equinox models to rental fleets, which eventually flood the used market. Buyers know this and expect lower prices for used models. Even though the Equinox is practical, roomy, and comfortable, it doesn’t feel special or future-proof. Buyers think about long-term value, and when a car feels old-fashioned or over-supplied, they pay less. That means resale drops faster than other SUVs. It’s fine for everyday use, but resale is a weak point.

The Escape was once a very popular small SUV, but things have changed. Now buyers are interested in hybrids and EVs, which makes gas-only Escapes feel outdated. Ford still sells them, but used buyers often prefer newer tech. Gas models feel like yesterday’s news. That worry about fuel efficiency and long-term value pushes resale down. Even though the Escape drives fine, fewer buyers want it, and that means lower prices when selling. It’s reliable and practical, but the market has moved on, so gas-only models just don’t hold value as well as before.

The Bolt is in a bit of a tricky spot. Chevrolet is moving toward electric-only cars, which makes older Bolts feel less secure to own. Some buyers worry about support, updates, and long-term resale value. Even though the Bolt is efficient, fun to drive, and easy to park, that uncertainty scares used buyers. When buyers hesitate, sellers have to cut the price to make a sale. That means Bolts lose value faster than some people expect. It’s a smart little car, but resale can be rough if buyers worry about the future.

The Camaro looks like a true muscle car, but the V6 trims don’t give drivers the full experience. Most Camaro fans wait for the V8 with loud sound and strong performance, so the V6 models sit longer on used lots. Longer sitting forces sellers to drop prices. The car looks fast and stylish, but buyers care more about performance. Even though it’s a fun car to drive, the V6 version doesn’t hold value like the V8. Style alone isn’t enough to keep the price up when people want power and excitement.