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Kia Resale Value: 5 Models That Depreciate The Slowest

By Karl Furlong Autoblog

Updated May 10, 2026 10:30 AM

Kia's resale values trail most Japanese rivals

Kia is on a great sales run in the United States, bucking industry trends by achieving record sales in the first quarter of 2026. From small, gas-powered sedans to three-row electric SUVs, its current lineup is modern, efficient, and showcases bold design for a mainstream brand. What Kia still struggles with are resale values that trail Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda; it ranked 11th for resale value among popular mass-market brands. But not all Kia depreciation rates are awful. We've rounded up five of the strongest performers from the Korean brand, based on Car Edge data. They've been ranked from worst to best depreciation rates after five years.

5. Kia Carnival

The Carnival minivan will depreciate by 46% over five years, putting its five-year resale value at 54%-higher than Kia's average of 51.4%. This average percentage is based on vehicles in good condition, which have covered around 13,500 miles annually, and which sold for an average of $46,170 when new. Overall, the Carnival holds its value better than any three-row Kia SUV, making it a smarter financial decision. It's arguably a better family vehicle than any Kia SUV, too, provided you don't require any off-roading or serious towing capabilities.

Carnival Resale Specs

46% depreciation over 5 years
5-year resale value of $24,853

The Carnival replaced the Sedona from the 2022 model year, and it keeps things fairly straightforward with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 producing 287 horsepower. There's also a new hybrid variant with 242 hp, but regardless of the powertrain, it's one of the most stylish minivans around and has ample space for cargo and passengers.

4. Kia Soul

Only just behind the Carnival is the only Kia SUV on this list, the tiny Soul. It's expected to depreciate by 44% over five years, which indicates much better value retention than larger Kia SUVs. Cheap to buy when new, the Soul also benefits from the automaker's exceptional warranty, which covers the powertrain for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Soul Resale Specs

44% depreciation over 5 years
5-year resale value of $14,022

The Soul may look unusual, but it's got plenty of substance to it. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT make for reliable, efficient motoring. The vehicle's tall stature also frees up a surprising amount of interior space. Sadly, Kia discontinued the Soul recently, but a used example is excellent value.

3. Kia K5

Kia's sedans generally outperform its SUVs in value retention. The midsize K5 will depreciate by 43% over five years, which is good by Kia standards but not nearly as good as the Toyota Camry (36% depreciation over the same period of time). The K5 boasts striking styling and a dependable, if unexciting, standard 2.5-liter engine making 191 hp.

K5 Resale Specs

43% depreciation over 5 years
5-year resale value of $18,616

There's also a spicy turbocharged model with 290 hp, making it one of the quickest sedans in its class. Like other Kias, the K5 benefits from a brilliant powertrain warranty that easily betters equivalent warranties from Toyota and Honda. With a starting price of under $30,000, the K5 will be worth more than the similarly priced Sportage crossover after five years. That particular SUV will depreciate by 50% over the same period.

2. Kia Forte

The Kia Forte has been replaced by the more modern K4, but it's still an excellent used buy and the first Kia to depreciate by under 40% after five years. A common theme among all the Kias featured here is a non-nonsense base powertrain, which promises decent long-term reliability. In the Forte's case, you get a standard 2.0-liter four-pot with the same 147 hp as the Soul. A 201-hp turbo model is also available.

Forte Resale Specs

39% depreciation over 5 years
5-year resale value of $15,450

The Forte still has quite a modern appearance and complements that with a spacious cabin and a generous number of features. The base model is unexciting to drive, but it's perfectly acceptable for a budget sedan. If you can find a low-mileage used example, you can drive off in a good all-round sedan for comfortably less than $20,000.

1. Kia K4

As a replacement for the Forte, the K4 finds itself in the same price and size segments. It should come as little surprise, then, that it also depreciates by 39% after five years. Despite the snazzy redesign, Kia hasn't taken any risks in the powertrain department, which should boost buyer trust. The same 147-hp 2.0L engine is standard, and a 190-hp turbo mill is available optionally.

K4 Resale Specs

39% depreciation over 5 years
5-year resale value of $16,298

Do Kias like the K4 hold their value as well as a Civic? Unfortunately not, as the Civic depreciates by just 29% after five years. However, at $22,290 for a new K4, it's much cheaper than the Honda, which starts at $24,695. The initially higher cost of the Civic is eventually recouped by its stronger resale value. That only takes into account new pricing and average resale values, of course-the best car for you could come down to design, brand preference, features, or warranty comparisons.

Final Thoughts

High resale values often take many years to achieve, which is why brands like Toyota and Honda remain ahead of their Korean rivals. Kia's reputation for early quality issues has been hard to shake, even though more recent models have achieved decent reliability ratings. Theft concerns and high initial incentives have also impacted Kia resale values through the years. The brand is very much on an upward trajectory in the U.S., though, with record sales in Q1 2026 so far and multiple class-leading vehicles. If Kia keeps this up, its resale values are likely to improve.

This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 10:15 AM.