Fuel Economy and Resale Value: What Texas Buyers Should Know

The short answer

Cox Automotive's Auto Market Weekly Summary for October 5, 2026 says its research shows a clear pattern: vehicles with the worst fuel economy are depreciating fastest, while vehicles rated above 40 mpg are holding or even gaining value. Cox also says large truck and SUV values have declined over the past couple of months, and that auto loan rates increased across the board last week. For a Texas buyer, that means two things. If you're trading in a thirsty truck or SUV, get a real number before you plan around an old estimate. If you're shopping, weigh fuel cost and resale together, not just the sticker. None of this predicts what any one vehicle will be worth.

What Cox reported (opened October 5 summary)

From Cox Automotive's weekly summary, written by chief economist Jeremy Robb:

• Gas prices have risen swiftly and persistently this year. Cox attributes that to the conflict in the Middle East and says it has pushed consumer expenses much higher, with no clear sign of relief.
• Diesel prices remained near all-time highs, and Cox says that cost is starting to show up in Manheim wholesale valuations.
• Large truck and SUV values have declined over the past couple of months, while EV values have held steadier as consumers shop for fuel-efficient options.
• Worst fuel economy, fastest depreciation. Cox says its research shows vehicles rated above 40 mpg are holding or even gaining value.
• Interest rates stayed volatile and elevated, and auto loan rates increased across the board.

Those are market-level observations from Cox, not a price list. Your trade and your next vehicle will be valued on their own mileage, condition, and local demand.

What it means if you're buying in Texas

If you're trading in a big truck or SUV: get a current, written trade number and compare it with selling outright (trade-in or sell outright). If you still owe more than the vehicle is worth, read negative equity on a trade-in before rolling a balance into a new loan.

If you're shopping for a truck or SUV anyway: many Texans need towing and payload, and that's a real reason to buy one. Just budget fuel into the monthly picture alongside the payment and insurance. We covered fuel budgeting when prices climbed in September (gasoline climbed again).

If you're open to something more efficient: Cox's read suggests efficient vehicles are in demand, so don't expect those values to be soft. Compare total cost (APR, term, total of payments), not just the price (five numbers to check).

Rates: with loan rates up across the board per Cox, it's worth knowing where you stand before you fall for a specific vehicle.

How I help (Kramer Autoplex, Livingston)

I'm Steven Wilson, Sales and Social Media & Marketing Manager at Kramer Autoplex in Livingston. I help people in Houston and East Texas get financed with good credit, bad credit, thin credit, or no credit by shopping each application across a wide lender network, including lenders that work with damaged or limited credit. Same-day answers on where you stand are typical, not a guarantee of approval. The first step is name plus phone or email, about 20 seconds, with no credit check yet. The full application, which does involve a credit check, comes after.

Live lot inventory is on the site, with walkaround videos and full tours on the vehicles that have been filmed. Kramer also posts walkarounds on its YouTube channel, so you can see how we show a vehicle before you ever call. Free delivery is available anywhere in Texas, and nationwide delivery is available outside Texas, so you don't have to drive to Livingston for the answer. If you want to know more about the people behind the store, I wrote about what Amber Renee taught me at Kramer. I won't invent stock, prices, or customer stories here.

Bottom line

Cox's October 5 read: low-mpg vehicles are losing value fastest, 40-plus-mpg vehicles are holding up, big trucks and SUVs have slipped, and loan rates rose. Get a fresh trade number, budget fuel honestly, and know your financing standing before you choose.

See what you qualify for: Start here. Name and phone or email first, with no credit check on that step.