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Retention Rankings Released for One-Year-Old Models

Today, the NADA Used Car Guide issued a report that examines retention performance for 33 all-new or redesigned mainstream and luxury models. Leading the list were the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, Honda Pilot and new Volvo XC90.

by Staff
November 23, 2016
Retention Rankings Released for One-Year-Old Models

Photo courtesy of Toyota. 

8 min to read


Photo courtesy of Toyota. 

Today, the NADA Used Car Guide issued a report that examines retention performance for 33 all-new or redesigned mainstream and luxury models. Leading the list were the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, Honda Pilot and new Volvo XC90.

To calculate retention, the firm divided a vehicle’s most recent three-month average trade-in value by its typically-equipped MSRP, excluding incentives and rebates available at the time of purchase. Additionally, one-year-old 2015 model-year retention data from last year is used to compare the percentage point change between revised 2016 models and previous generation 2015 models.

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In some cases, the firm noted, 2015 and 2016 model-year vehicles were omitted from the report because average trade-in values were not yet available during the selected analysis periods. The following are the Top 3 models with the highest retention value, followed by segment rankings.

Highest Retaining New or Redesigned Models

1. 2016 Toyota Tacoma: Retains 87% of value

The Toyota Tacoma received a full redesign for 2016. It ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Overall Quality — Mechanical, and 2016 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study for Style.

Retention values for the Tacoma are the best among new or redesigned 2016 models. At 87%, the Tacoma’s retained value is 8.4 percentage points above the mid-size pickup average of 78.6%, and 4.4 points higher than the previous model-year Tacoma during the same period in 2015.

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2. 2016 Honda Pilot: Retains 81.8% of value

The Honda Pilot received a full resident for 2016, and now boasts rounded styling as well as a refined interior and more powerful engine. With three rows and seating for up to eight, the Pilot is an extremely versatile family hauler with the sensibility of a minivan and the ruggedness of a traditional SUV.

Currently, retention values for the Pilot are 81.8%, or 11.5 points above the mid-size utility segment average of 70.3%. Compared to the previous model-year Pilot, the 2016’s retention score is 5.2 points better than the same period in 2015.

3. 2016 Volvo XC90: Retains 79.7% of value

The Volvo XC90 received a full redesign for 2016, with new exterior styling, a new interior and a new powertrain. The XC90 ranks among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Automotive Performance, Executive and Layout (APEAL) study for both comfort and style.

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Retention values for the XC90 are 79.7%, or 7.2 point above the luxury mid-size utility segment average of 72.5%. Volvo didn’t build an XC90 for the 2015 model year, however, the 206 currently ranks third within its respective segment behind the Land Rover LR4 (88.5%) and Lexus GX (82.6%).

Photo courtesy of Volvo. 

Subcompact Car

  1. 2016 Scion iA: The iA retains value at a rate of 63.4%, which is six points better than the segment average of 57.4%

  2. 2016 Smart FORTWO: The FORTWO currently retails value at a rate of 49.6%, a 5.1-point decline compared to the previous model year during the same period in 2015.

The following are the firm’s retention rankings by segment:

Compact Car

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  1. 2016 Honda Civic: The Civic is currently ranked fourth in its segment and retains value at a rate of 74.1%, which is a 5.2-point improvement over the previous model year during the same period in 2015.

  2. 2016 Scion iM: The iM received a retention score of 68.8%, a few points better than the segment average of 66.4%. The iM ranks among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Features & Accessories Quality — Mechanical.

  3. 2016 Chevrolet Cruze: Retained value for the Cruze is currently 61.9%, which is below the segment average and also slightly lower than the 2015 model’s 62.3% during the same period last year. The Cruze ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Features & Accessories Quality — Design.

Mid-Size Car

  1. 2016 Buick Cascada: The Cascada is an award recipient in both J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study and 2016 U.S. Automotive Performance Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. Currently, retention for the Cascada is 72.6%, which is a figure 6.7 points higher than the current segment average of 65.9%, and also the second highest behind Subaru’s Outback.

  2. 2016 Kia Optima: The current Optima retains at a rate of 67.4%, which is 1.5 points above the current segment average of 65.6% but 0.4 point below the outgoing model’s score during the same period in 2015. The Optima ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Body & Interior Quality — Mechanical, Body & Interior Quality — Design and Features & Accessories Quality — Design.

  3. 2016 Chevrolet Malibu: The Malibu’s retention score is 65.9%, up 2.2 points and even with the current segment average. The Malibu ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Overall Quality — Design, Powertrain Quality — Design as well as Feature & Accessories Quality — Design.

Large Car

  1. 2016 Nissan Maxima: While Nissan didn’t build the Maxima in 2015, the 2016’s retention performance is current best in its segment at 67.3% or 6.7 points better than the segment average 60.6%.

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Sports Car

  1. 2016 Mini Cooper: The Cooper retains value at a rate of 73.9%, better than the segment average of 70.2% and also best in its class. The Cooper ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Body & Interior Quality — Mechanical and Powertrain Quality — Design.

  2. 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Miata retains value at a rate of 70.8%, which is a 0.9-point improvement over the previous generation’s 69.9% score during the same period in 2015. The Miata’s current retention score is also higher than the current segment average of 70.2%.

  3. 2016 Chevrolet Camaro: The Camaro retains value at a rate of 69.7%, a figure right below the segment average of 70.2% but slightly better than the previous generation’s 69.2% score during the same period in 2015. The Camaro ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Overall Quality — Mechanical, Body & Interior Quality — Mechanical, Features & Accessories Quality — Mechanical as well as Powertrain Quality — Design.

Luxury Mid-Size Car

  1. 2016 Jaguar XF: With a retained value score of 61.9%, retention is down 6.8 points compared to the previous generation during the same period in 2015. The XF slots in below the segment average of 65.7%.

Luxury Large Car

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  1. 2016 BMW 7 Series: Retained value of the 7 Series is currently 76.6% — more than 10 point higher than the previous generation’s 66% score during the same period in 2015 — which was the biggest improvement of any redesigned model in the firm’s report. The 7 Series is currently ranked highest in its respective segment, and also 11.6 points higher than the segment average of 65%.

  2. 2016 Cadillac CT6: In terms of value retention, the CT6 currently retains at a rate of 68.4%, or 3.4 points higher than the segment average of65%.

Subcompact Utility

  1. 2016 Honda HR-V: The HR-V’s value retention score ranked highest in its segment at 75.6%, significantly higher than the segment average of 66.7%. The HR-V ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Powertrain Quality — Design.

  2. 2016 Mazda CX-3: The CX-3 currently retains value at a rate of 74.9%. It is ranked second in its respective segment. The CX-3 also ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Powertrain Quality — Design.

  3. 2016 Fiat 500X: Brand new for 2016, the 500X currently retains value at a rate of 55%. It ranks at the bottom of its segment, or 16.7 points below the segment average.

Photo courtesy of Honda. 

Compact Utility

  1. 2016 Hyundai Tucson: Retention for the Tucson is currently 71.6%, which is 2.7 points better than the segment average of 68.9% but nearly identical to the previous model year’s score of 71.7% during the same period in 2015. The Tucson ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Overall Quality and Body & Interior Quality — Design.

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Mid-Size Utility

  1. 2016 Honda Pilot: See above.

  2. 2016 Kia Sorento: The Sorento retains value at a rate of 68.6%, slightly above the segment average of 70.3%. The Sorento also ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Overall Quality as well as Features & Accessories Quality — Design.

  3. 2016 Mazda CX-9: Value retention for the CX-9 is currently 67.8%, which is a 0.6-point improvement over the previous generation during the same period in 2015. Conversely, the CX-9’s value retention is 2.5 points below the current segment average of 70.3%.

Mid-Size Pickup

  1. 2016 Toyota Tacoma: See above.

Three-Quarter-Ton Pickup

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  1. 2016 Nissan Titan XD: The XD is a completely new large pickup with the brand’s Titan line. It retains value at a rate of 74.2%, which is a tie with the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD for the highest ranked in the three-quarter-ton pickup segment. Retention for the XD is 2 points better than the current segment average of 72.2%.

Luxury Subcompact Utility

  1. 2016 BMW X1: Value retention for the X1 sits at the bottom of its segment list at 66%, a slight 0.5-point improvement over the outgoing model’s 65.5% score during the same period in 2015. In relation to the rest of the segment, the X1 is currently retaining value at a rate 7.5 points below the segment average of 73.5%. The X1 did, however, rank among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Powertrain Quality — Design.

Luxury Compact Utility

  1. 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC: Retention for the GLC is 63.7%, or 8.9 points below the current segment average of 71.6%. It is also 1.7 points below the GLK’s 65.4% score during the same period in 2015.

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Luxury Mid-Size Utility

  1. 2016 Volvo XC90: See above.

  2. 2016 Lexus RX: Retention for the RX is 78%, which is a 2.2-point improvement over the outgoing generation during the same period in 2015. The RX also currently retains value at a rate of 5.5 points above the current segment average of 72.5%. It also ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Features & Accessories Quality — Mechanical.

  3. 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE: The GLE is currently retaining value at a rate of 76.1%, which is up a slight 0.3 point compared to the outgoing M-Class during the same period in 2015. In relation to the rest of the segment, the GLE’s retention is currently 3.6 points better than the segment average of 72.5%. The GLE also ranked among the best in J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study for Body & Interior Quality — Mechanical.

  4. 2016 Lincoln MKX: Retention of the new MKX only improved 0.4 point to reach 67.4%. The MKX’s retention score is 5.1 points below the current segment average of 72.5%.

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