The 10 best cars for resale values
Subaru and Lexus repeated as the top brands in the Kelley Blue Book rankings released today for 2016 cars with the estimated highest resale values. However, among individual models, General Motors (GM) had four of the top 10 vehicles.
Subaru, the best mainstream brand, had winners in four of the 22 categories Kelley uses. Toyota's (TM) Lexus, the best luxury brand for the fifth year in a row, has six category winners.
"While both Subaru and Lexus deliver incredible resale value, we continue to be impressed with General Motors, which tops domestic automakers with seven combined awards for Chevrolet and GMC and places four of its vehicles in our Top 10," says Eric Ibara, director of resale values for Kelley Blue Book.
Among other Detroit companies, Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) had only one winner -- the Jeep Wrangler -- and Ford (F) had none. One other U.S.-based company had a winner -- the Tesla (TSLA) Model S pictured above.
Kelley analysts remind car shoppers that in addition to a vehicle's price and gas mileage, they should look at how well particular models hold their value. They note that depreciation often is the greatest expense drivers incur in their first five years of vehicle ownership.
The average 2016 car will be worth only about 35 percent of its original value when it's 5 years old, according to Kelley calculations. That means an average car you bought for $30,000 this year would be worth just $10,500 in 2020. However, the top 10 vehicles on Kelley Blue Book's list are estimated to retain from 47 percent to 62 percent of their original cost.
Within those national averages, resale value can vary by regions. "In the colder sections of the country, a two-wheel-drive vehicle's resale value often will not be as high as a four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive version of that same model," says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "In warmer climates, black or dark-colored cars will not have as high resale value as they could command in other regions."
With especially strong current sales for SUVs and pickup trucks, those categories dominate the Top 10 best resale value vehicles, while the cars in the Top 10 are sporty, high-performance models.
Click ahead for a closer look at the top 10, in order of resale value.
2016 Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma compact pickup tops all 2016 vehicles, with a Kelley Blue Book estimated resale value after five years of 62 percent of its original value, compared to just 35 percent for the average vehicle.
Among reviewers surveyed by U.S. News, the Tacoma tied for second among all compact pickups. Test drivers praised its strong brakes and responsive steering.
The Tacoma comes standard with a four-cylinder engine rated by the EPA for 19 MPG in city driving and 23 on the highway. The optional V-6 is rated 19 city, 24 highway.
2016 Toyota 4Runner
The 4Runner midsize SUV should be worth 60 percent of its original value after five years, according to Kelley estimates. Test drivers praise the 4Runner for its off-road prowess but say several competitors are more comfortable on the highway.
The four-wheel-drive 4Runner with a V-6 engine is rated for 17 MPG in city driving and 21 on the road.
2016 GMC Canyon
The Canyon should be worth 59 percent of its original value in five years. Among reviewers surveyed by U.S. News, the Canyon is tied for No. 2 among compact pickups. Test drivers said the Canyon rides comfortably and maneuvers smoothly through corners.
Canyon comes with a base four-cylinder engine rated at 18 MPG city, 26 highway, a V-6 (20/27) and a turbocharged diesel four-cylinder (22/31).
2016 Chevrolet Colorado
The Colorado should be worth 58 percent of its original value in five years. Reviewers ranked the Colorado No. 1 among compact pickups.
Test drivers praise it for powerful engines, a smooth ride and a comfortable cabin. Like its corporate sibling the GMC Canyon, the Colorado comes with a base four-cylinder engine rated for 18 MPG city, 26 highway, an optional V-6 (20/27) or a four-cylinder turbocharged diesel (22/31).
2016 Jeep Wrangler
This iconic Jeep is estimated to have resale value after five years of 55 percent of its original price. As expected of a Jeep, the Wrangler shines in off-road performance. But it's less comfortable on the road than competing small SUVs.
The Jeep comes with a six-cylinder engine rated for 17 MPG in the city and 21 on the highway.
2016 Toyota Tundra
The Tundra full-size pickup should have resale value after five years of 54 percent of its original price. Test drivers praise the Tundra for its off-road abilities but say the highway ride is a bit stiff.
Unusual even for a pickup nowadays, the Tundra has a standard 4.6-liter V-8 engine rated at just 15 MPG in city driving, 19 on the highway. An even bigger, optional 5.7-liter V-8 is rated 13 city, 18 highway.
2016 Subaru WRX
Beloved of rally drivers and others who fancy high-performance cars, the WRX is estimated to have resale value in five years of 51 percent of its original price.
Test drivers praise its sporty handling and standard all-wheel drive providing superior traction. And they love the acceleration from its four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is rated for 20 MPG city, 27 highway with the often-selected manual transmission. With an automatic, that rating is 18 highway, 24 city.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro
The sleekly redesigned 2016 Camaro is estimated to have resale value in five years of 49 percent of its original price. Reviewers surveyed by U.S. News ranked the Camaro No. 2 among affordable sports cars (just ahead of its archrival the Ford Mustang).
Test drivers liked its powerful acceleration and athletic handling, but complained about the cramped back seat.
The Camaro comes with a V-6 engine rated for 19 MPG in the city, 28 on the highway. A big 6.2-liter optional V-8 engine manages estimates of 17 city, 28 highway but requires premium gasoline.
2016 GMC Sierra
The Sierra full-size pickup is estimated to retain 48 percent of its original value after five years. Reviewers praise its spacious cabin and comfortable seats. And they like its smooth ride.
The standard V-6 engine is rated for 18 MPG in city driving, 24 on the highway. The available 5.3-liter V-8, which test drivers say is preferable for towing, is rated 16 MPG city, 23 highway.
2016 Subaru Forester
The Forester small SUV should retain 47 percent of its value after five years, according to Kelley Blue Book analysts. Test drivers praise its comfortable ride in both front and rear seats, and its spacious cargo capacity.
Like all Subarus, the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive. Its standard four-cylinder engine with continuously variable transmission is rated for 24 MPG in city driving and 32 on the highway. A more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine is rated for 23 MPG city, 28 highway and requires premium gasoline.