10 Japanese Luxury Vehicles With the Best Resale Value

Depreciation is a cost that hits harder than you’d expect. This is because you don’t feel it at the point of purchase or gradually over the years, it only really affects you when you’re looking to sell and move on. In the luxury segment, it can be a particularly heavy cost if you don’t shop wisely.

Even in the luxury segment, though, there are a number of options that work to mitigate the effects of depreciation. Usually, these are models with a particularly good reputation for reliability and affordability. Thus, Japanese brands like Lexus and Acura are the way to go if you’re looking to get the best return years down the line.

Looking through data from authoritative sources, we’ve found the ten Japanese vehicles that hold their value the best after five years of ownership. We explore how much they depreciate, what helps them stand out in their respective segments, and which models are the best to buy.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including CarEdge and TopSpeed. Depreciation values were sourced from CarEdge.

10

2025 Lexus LC

Depreciation After Five Years: 48%

While two-door sports cars in the six-figure price range generally offer blistering performance and precise cornering abilities, the LC was built with a different ideology. It is a soft and luxurious grand tourer that puts comfort above all else. It starts at an eye-watering $101,100.

Performance Specifications

We think the LC gets a bad rep. It, unfortunately, often gets compared to the LFA, but it is a very different machine. It is quick enough to feel sporty and its naturally aspirated V-8 is like a symphony. The balance that it offers in terms of comfort and precision is good, and well suited to those who want a comfortable touring car.

Pros

• Exceptional curb appeal
• Sonorous V-8
• Brilliantly plush interior

Cons

• Hybrid model is severely unrefined
• Competitors are much quicker
• Doesn’t quite cling to the apex

9

2025 Lexus IS

Depreciation After Five Years: 48%

As is the case with most Lexus sedans and coupes, the IS is not quite as sharp as its German rivals. Rather than chasing the absolute fastest zero to 60 time, or the best lap times for that matter, the IS delivers a package that is much easier to live with on a daily basis. Starting at $41,610, it is also much cheaper.

Performance Specifications

While some other sport compacts may be quicker, the margin is not as large as some might have you believe. The base four-cylinder is incredibly weak but a 311-horsepower V-6 is also on offer, as is a 472-horsepower V-8. The V-6-powered IS 350 is the one we’d go for.

Pros

• Very plush interior
• Exceptionally comfortable front seats
• Well-balanced suspension tune

Cons

• Base engine sounds coarse
• Cramped rear seats
• The V-8 IS 500 falls well behind rivals

8

2025 Lexus RC

Depreciation After Five Years: 48%

The Lexus RC is a bit of a hard sell. This 2+2 coupe intends to offer a smaller, much more affordable alternative to the LC. However, there are a ton of small luxury cars at this price point that are simply more fun to drive and just as luxurious. The starting MSRP for the 2025 model year sits at $46,695.

Performance Specifications

The RC focuses on comfort more than it does driving verve, which is definitely to its detriment in the compact segment because all of its competitors do a better job of working performance into the mix. Even the 311-horsepower V-6 doesn’t keep up with rivals.

Pros

• Comfortable front seats
• Looks great
• Reputation for exceptional build quality

Cons

• Impractical rear seats
• Neither powertrain suits this coupe
• Fairly inefficient

7

2025 Lexus LX

Depreciation After Five Years: 42%

While Lexus’ sedans and coupe struggle against rivals, their lineup of SUVs is much more competitive. The LX is their largest model and does battle with the likes of the BMW X7 and the Cadillac Escalade, and it holds its own pretty well. Being such a high-end model, it starts at $106,850.

Performance Specifications

For a vehicle that weighs pretty close 6,000 pounds, the LX can hustle. Its twin-turbo V-6 has a ton of power, and plenty of torque to boot. This and its sturdy chassis means that it can also tow up to 8,000 pounds. Suspension and handling wise, it is smooth and drives like an SUV that is much smaller.

Pros

• Smooth and torque heavy engine
• Exceptional ride quality
• Genuine off-road prowess

Cons

• Somewhat cramped third row
• Cargo space isn’t class-leading
• Best off-road gear only available on more expensive hybrid model

6

2025 Lexus GX

Depreciation After Five Years: 42%

The GX has always been the Lexus-ified version of the 4Runner. You get the same rugged capability and reliability with the GX with a much more luxurious interior. Lexus’ off-road-ready SUV was also completely redone for the 2024 model year, looking and performing better than ever. Prices start at $65,585.

Performance Specifications

The twin-turbo V-6 in the GX makes fewer horsepower than it does in the LX, but torque remains absurdly high. It is also more powerful than the V-8 from the previous generation GX. Available off-road equipment includes 33-inch All-Terrain tires, an aluminum skid plate, and an adaptive suspension system.

Pros

• Tackles any terrain
• Max towing capacity of 9,096 pounds
• Torque-heavy V-6

Cons

• Third row is a bit useless
• On-road ride quality is sometimes compromised
• Poor fuel economy

5

2025 Lexus NX

Depreciation After Five Years: 42%

The NX is a subcompact SUV that competes against stacked rivals like the BMW X1 and the Volvo XC40. It checks all the boxes that make Lexus crossovers such attractive options, with a stylish and comfortable cabin and a generous list of standard features, all for a starting price of $42,140.

Performance Specifications

The Lexus can be had with a four-cylinder engine in the NX 250, a 275-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder in the NX 350, or as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The gas models hold their value best, though. Signature Lexus ride quality is on offer, with some models coming equipped with adaptive suspension.

Pros

• Options for all budgets
• High-quality materials used throughout
• Great list of standard features

Cons

• Average handling
• Underwhelming base engine
• Competitors are more fun to drive

4

2025 Lexus UX

Depreciation After Five Years: 42%

If you’re looking for the most affordable to get behind the wheel of a Lexus, the UX is it. While technically a subcompact SUV, it’s better to look at the UX as a premium hatchback. For a starting price of $37,715, it offers pretty good value, with a high-quality interior and plenty of tech.

Performance Specifications

The current UX is a hybrid-only affair, which certainly suits its value-oriented approach. This is especially true considering it is more powerful and quicker than the four-cylinder UX 250 it replaced. However, its plush ride is certainly the star of the show.

Pros

• Quicker and more refined than the UX 250
• Outstanding fuel efficiency
• Very luxurious interior for what you pay

Cons

• Some rivals are still quicker
• Rear seat is small
• Cargo space is compromised

3

2025 Acura RDX

Depreciation After Five Years: 42%

The only non-Lexus to make this list comes from another Japanese firm, Acura. The RDX is a premium SUV that has a focus on driving verve, with an excellently tuned chassis and a perky engine. However, it isn’t as comfortable or luxurious as its rivals despite having a very similar price tag.

Performance Specifications

While it doesn’t quite stack up when it comes to interior quality, it is definitely a hoot to drive. Its over-achieving four-cylinder engine delivers some great acceleration and its standard all-wheel drive system is great. The only shortfall is the transmission, which is hesitant to move into a lower gear sometimes.

Pros

• Great list of standard equipment
• Handles superbly
• Low starting price

Cons

• Mediocre cabin quality
• Below par braking
• Transmission can be janky

2

2025 Lexus TX

Depreciation After Five Years: 40%

As Toyota introduced the Grand Highlander, Lexus debuted its plush cousin named the TX. This mid-size three-row SUV offers all the practicality of the Grand Highlander, with an interior that easily competes with BMW, Audi, and other high-end brands. It is priced starting at $56,490.

Performance Specifications

The gas-powered TX 350 features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A 366-horsepower hybrid engine is available in the TX 500 and the TX 550+ comes with a 404-horsepower plug-in hybrid V-6. In any form, the TX delivers a quite and comfortable ride.

Pros

• Base model comes well-equipped
• Even the gas model delivers good fuel efficiency
• All three rows are spacious

Cons

• Lackluster acceleration in gas models
• Some low-rent bits and bobs in the cabin
• Grand Highlander is more affordable

1

2025 Lexus RX

Depreciation After Five Years: 31%

The RX was the first ever SUV produced by Lexus, and is easily the most popular model. The compact SUV does battle in a pretty crowded segment, and it struggles a little bit to stand out. It also isn’t cheaper than its direct rivals, which is usually what sets Lexus models apart. The 2025 RX starts at $50,475.

Performance Specifications

The RX 350 is the most affordable model, sporting a turbo four-cylinder. There are a plethora of hybrid models available, though, with the most powerful being the 366-horsepower RX 500h. The gas model holds its value the best, though.

Pros

• A number of models to choose from
• Exceptionally comfortable front seats
• User-friendly infotainment system

Cons

• Not as fun as its competitors
• Average acceleration
• Kind of boring overall