The 2015 model-year brand and category winners of the annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing vehicles for their projected retained value through the initial five-year ownership period, were announced by Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com. 

Subaru and Lexus earned top honors for best brand and best luxury brand (respectively), with Subaru claiming three model winners and Lexus producing six model winners from a total of 22 different segments.  In addition, Chevrolet and Toyota each have five models winning 2015 Best Resale Value Awards, with the majority being trucks or SUVs. 

Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards are in its 13th year and are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book Official Residual Value Guide.  Kelley Blue Book Residual Values are established by experienced automotive analysts that review the output from the statistical models built upon millions of transactions.  Vehicles that earn the highest five-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are selected for these prestigious awards.  Low-volume vehicles and vehicles with an MSRP of more than $60,000 are excluded from award consideration, except in the plug-in vehicle, luxury and high-performance categories.

2015 BEST RESALE VALUE: BRAND

SUBARU

2015 BEST RESALE VALUE: LUXURY BRAND

LEXUS

2015 BEST RESALE VALUE: BY VEHICLE CATEGORY

SUBCOMPACT CAR:Honda Fit

PLUG-IN VEHICLE: Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid

COMPACT CAR:  Subaru Impreza

COMPACT SUV/CROSSOVER:Jeep Wrangler

SPORTY COMPACT CAR: Subaru WRX

MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

MID-SIZE CAR:  Subaru Legacy

FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER: Chevrolet Suburban

FULL-SIZE CAR: Dodge Charger

LUXURY COMPACT SUV/CROSSOVER:Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY CAR:  Lexus RC 350

LUXURY MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:  Lexus GX 460

LUXURY CAR: Lexus GS 350

LUXURY FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:  Lexus LX 570

HIGH-END LUXURY CAR: Lexus LS 460

HYBRID SUV/CROSSOVER: Lexus RX 450h

SPORTS CAR:  Chevrolet Camaro V6

MID-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK:  Toyota Tacoma

HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR: Chevrolet Corvette

FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK:  Toyota Tundra

HYBRID/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CAR: Toyota Camry Hybrid

MINIVAN/VAN:  Toyota Sienna

2015 BEST RESALE VALUE: TOP 10 CARS

Chevrolet Colorado

Honda CR-V

Chevrolet Silverado

Jeep Wrangler

Ford F-150

Toyota Tacoma

GMC Canyon

Toyota Tundra

GMC Sierra

Toyota 4Runner

(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the 2015 model-year vehicles that appear in the January/February 2015 Kelley Blue Book® Residual Value Guide.  Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order).

While most car buyers today consider sticker price one of the most significant numbers when choosing a new vehicle, the editors at Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com recommend shoppers consider a number they won't find on any window sticker: the resale value.  Depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership.  An average 2015 model-year vehicle only will retain about 38.2 percent of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning that a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $19,100 after five years.  Vehicles with average or below-average resale values are generally plentiful in the marketplace and easy to find.  But certain vehicles are projected to hold their value better than others.  While much of a vehicle's resale value is based on supply and demand, as well as current and projected future market conditions, vehicles that retain their value best are typically discounted the least and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest.

While the company's Residual Value Guide has been published since 1982, Kelley Blue Book established its annual Best Resale Value Awards in 2003.  Residual values reflect projected future auction values for vehicles in average condition with 75,000 miles at the end of a five-year lease or ownership period.  Kelley Blue Book's residual values are used by manufacturers, banks, financial institutions and the automotive leasing industry.

For more information about Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards, please visit http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/.