Kelley Blue Book Releases 5-Year Cost to Own Award Winners for 2013

Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own information takes into account depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new models.

by Staff

February 6, 2013

3 min to read

The 2013 model-year vehicles and brands (in both luxury and non-luxury categories) with the lowest projected ownership costs were announced Feb. 5 by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a provider of new and used car information. These awards are based on KBB's "5-Year Cost to Own" data for new cars for the initial five-year ownership period.

While depreciation (or loss of value) and fuel costs may be the greatest expense incurred in owning a vehicle, there are other factors that can have a significant impact on a consumer's pocketbook. KBB's 5-Year Cost to Own information takes into consideration depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new models.

Award Winners

2013 5-Year Cost to Own Award: Brand

Mazda

2013 5-Year Cost to Own Award: Luxury Brand

Lexus

2013 5-Year Cost To Own Awards: By Vehicle Category

Subcompact Car: Scion iQ
Compact SUV/Crossover: Jeep Patriot
Compact Car: Hyundai Veloster
Midsize SUV/Crossover: Mitsubishi Outlander
Sporty Compact Car: Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Full-size SUV/Crossover: Ford Explorer
Midsize Car: Hyundai Sonata
Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover: Acura RDX
Full-size Car: Chevrolet Impala
Luxury Midsize SUV/Crossover: Lincoln MKX
Entry-Level Luxury Car: Buick Verano
Luxury Full-Size SUV/Crossover: Lincoln MKT
Luxury Car: Lexus GS
Midsize Pickup Truck: Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
High-end Luxury Car: Porsche Panamera
Full-size Pickup Truck: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab
Sports Car: Ford Mustang
Minivan/Van: Mazda Mazda5
High-Performance Car: Ford Mustang GT
Hybrid SUV/Crossover: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Hybrid/Alternative-Energy Car: Honda Insight
Electric Vehicle: Chevrolet Volt

Mazda is the top brand among all manufacturers, surging past last year's winner Kia with regard to its lowest projected ownership costs. Despite an average "Fair Purchase Price" higher than several of its competitors, Mazda offers the lowest 5-Year Cost to Own because of its low depreciation, fuel costs, and maintenance and repair costs across its full model lineup, KBB said.

KBB's Fair Purchase Price is the price people typically pay a dealer for a new car, based on actual new-car transactions and adjusted regularly as market conditions change.

Lexus is this year's luxury brand winner, exemplifying some of the lowest costs for depreciation, fuel, and maintenance and repairs of any luxury brand, according to KBB. Some of the key models contributing to Lexus' stand-out performance include the CT 200h, ES and IS models.

Another notable 5-Year Cost to Own Award win is the 2013 Hyundai Sonata, a repeat winner in the midsize car category. The three primary competitors in this segment each are separated by a mere $200 in projected total ownership costs, KBB said. The 2013 Hyundai Sonata outperformed the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima by offering superior savings in insurance costs and a lower KBB Fair Purchase Price.

In addition, the redesigned 2013 Lexus GS is a top contender among the luxury car segment, beating Audi's A5 and A6 models. The vehicle's low depreciation, and maintenance and repair costs make it this year's 5-Year Cost to Own Award: Luxury Car winner. The depreciation costs for the Lexus GS came in 6.4% below the Audi A5 and 21.7% below the Audi A6.

Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own information is developed using KBB residual values to calculate depreciation costs. KBB calculates total ownership costs for new vehicles by applying valuation methodology along with critical financial data from third-party providers.

Topics:Mazda Lifecycle Costs cost of ownership Lexus Kelley Blue Book Small Fleet

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