With a starting price of $36,965, 2023’s Toyota Tundra is no small investment. This full-size pickup truck certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, with its domineering grille and pretty serious off-road capabilities. That said, Toyota’s 2023 iteration of this fourteen-year-old popular vehicle is well worth considering.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the Tundra has the highest resale value of the year, at an impressive 73.3% resale potential over five years. This is the second year that the Tundra has piqued other vehicles to the post since its initial relaunch last year, and it’s gaining a fair amount of ground on its closest competitors (which rest at a tied 66% and 65.4% respectively).
Of course, resale value isn’t everything, especially in an age where the used car market is as unpredictable as the weather. But, with auto strikes only set to drive new car prices higher, and with owners looking at losing an average of $7000 off vehicle value for every year that they drive, most of us now have at least one eye on vehicle returns.
In this article, we’ll consider the reasoning behind the return of the Toyota Tundra at the top of resale listings this year, and why you could benefit from investing while the going’s hot.
Why resale value matters
Given the Toyota Tundra’s high entry price, you may be wondering why you should let resale value shape your next new vehicle purchase. And, in reality, there’s no easy answer to that. For some buyers, especially those with their sites set on long-term car ownership, resale value can feel like it shouldn’t matter all that much. But, there are some surprising benefits to considering resale value, even if you don’t intend to sell anytime soon. The most notable of those are –
- Long-term reliability: Resale value tends to be an ultimate indicator of long-term vehicle reliability, which is useful for anyone considering a new car purchase. Vehicles that keep their value, like the Tundra, are typically more reliable, durable, and likely to stay in good condition for a longer period.
- The best returns potential: Quite obviously, vehicles with a potential for higher returns provide the best financial investment, and that’s true whether or not you intend to sell anytime soon. After all, life is unpredictable, and the last thing you want is to lose substantial amounts on a vehicle that you’ve barely driven. High resale value at least eliminates that risk, ensuring a far better vehicle investment.
- Better exchange potential: If you were to exchange your car in the future, it’s also worth noting that dealers generally prefer vehicles with high resale value. As well as making exchanges easier to secure, investment into a vehicle like the Toyota Tundra can ensure great-value, high-quality exchanges down the line.
Why Toyota’s often top of the list
While the Toyota Tundra currently holds resale top spots, this isn’t the first time that Toyota has come up trumps in this sense. In fact, the car with the second-best resale value this year (66%) is a Toyota Tacoma. The Toyota 4Runner also appears in sixth place on the list (64.4%), making them by far most prevalent on the list this year and in the past.
Toyota’s reliability is largely to thank for their consistently high resales – these vehicles are simply built to last. That being said, there’s also plenty of other benefits to recommend a Toyota purchase right now, including –
- Minimal moving parts/less preventative maintenance
- Overwhelmingly positive consumer feedback
- Above-and-beyond safety features (including airbags throughout all five sides of the cabin)
- Etc.
In short; Toyota looks after their consumers with intelligently safe designs and vehicles that are sure to stand the test of time.
How the Toyota Tundra keeps securing the top spot
Securing the top resale price for two years in a row is impressive enough, but the Toyota Tundra has done so by almost a 10% resale margin. That’s impressive by any standards, and it’s a sure sign that Tundra owners are making a sound investment. Just a few of the reasons for this ongoing unbeatable resale security include specs such as –
# 1 – Unique engine capabilities
Admittedly the Toyota Tundra is the only full-size pickup in the half-ton segment that doesn’t have an optional V-8 engine. Instead, the Tundra is solely powered by a twin turbo-charged V-6 engine for the first five trims, which is capable of delivering a far smoother ride despite the Tundra’s size.
For drivers looking to enjoy even more power, there’s also a hybrid engine alternative as standard on upper trims that offers an impressive output of 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft. All of this ensures smooth driving experiences, especially when the bed is empty, that are pretty unique for a full-size pickup and look set to remain so.
# 2 – Above-average reliability
As mentioned, reliability is one of the main reasons for Toyota’s popularity, and it’s also a driving force behind the Tundra’s unbeatable resale value.
Despite taking a slight tumble in reliability rankings after the 2022 release, the Tundra continues to rate around 86 out of 100 points on reliability scales, making it a still-decent contender. Things are looking up even more with the arrival of the 2023 model which, while not overly different, has at least avoided the issues that led to the seven Tundra recalls last year, including fuel leaks, parking brake systems, and loose axle nuts.
Experts now predict that the Tundra should be good for as many as 300,000 miles when kept in great condition. And, that gives owners plenty of time for resales at a high price point.
# 3 – Impressive durability
The more durable a vehicle, the less you can expect to pay for everything from repairs to auto insurance, and the more you can ultimately expect to ask for on resale. For the Tundra, especially, a standard composite bed that reduces the risks of dents and scratches even offroad can help to avoid unnecessary body damage.
With the 2023 Tundra also offering 18-inch wheels, a rear bumper middle section, and coil-spring rear suspension upgrades, it should be far easier to keep Tundra’s looking showroom-fresh, and performing at peak, for a long time to come.
# 4 – Great tech
With up to 12-inch screens found as standard in all full-size pickup tracks except for the Nissan Titan, the Tundra’s standard offering of an 8-inch screen is nothing to write home about. However, the 14-inch screen available as a Tundra upgrade is something pretty special.
Aside from that, the Tundra offers the same key connectivity features as most modern pick-ups, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tundra also offers the option of a subscription-based wi-fi hotspot meaning that, alongside the other benefits mentioned, it’s pretty well-equipped with tech that’s likely to stay relevant for a while.
# 5 – Reliable safety features
Toyota does safety well, and the Tundra is no different. In fact, every Tundra is stocked with a decent amount of driver-assist technologies, including –
- Automatic high beams
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Red-cross traffic alert
- And so on
All Tundra models also offer safety features like forward-collision and lane-departure warnings as standard. As well as making for a safer driving experience right now, these timeless safety priorities give the Tundra some great resale potential.
How can you secure top Tundra resale potential?
Of course, a car’s predicted resale potential is by no means a sure indicator that you’ll be able to secure that same amount of money back. Instead, dealers or buyers will look at the unique condition of a car before committing to an offer. For owners hoping to enjoy the full 73.3% resale on offer (at least as close to it as they can get), it’s crucial to take steps including –
- Regular maintenance with a trusted Toyota technician
- Well-kept documents, including maintenance records
- Regular cleaning of body, lights, and interior
- Addressing small faults and issues as they arise
- Etc.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra – The best the resale market has to offer
It’s never been more important to consider the viability of a vehicle investment, and resale values like those possible with the Tundra is an increasingly tempting option for many potential buyers.
If you’re in the market for a full-size pickup, then there’s certainly a strong argument for putting your money towards a Tundra, and not just because of its investment potential. This is a high-quality, unique, and reliable offering in its class. And that doesn’t look set to change anytime soon.
With a full range of customizable trims, you can certainly ensure the Tundra suits your needs, driving intentions, and preferences at all times. However, you may want to consider the resale potential of additions that can see this $36,965 vehicle reaching heights of as much as $75,245.
Generally speaking, though, whichever Tundra trim you choose should set you in pretty good stead for decent returns. And, with so much wiggle room to play with, that applies even if the used car market takes another downturn!
Featuring the Toyota Tundra – check out the full CRD review!
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