KBB Awards 2015’s 5-Year Cost to Own Winners

Kelley Blue Book announced on Thursday its brand and vehicle category winners for its fourth annual 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, highlighting the new vehicles and the overarching brands with the lowest-projected ownership costs.

KBB’s cost-to-own data is based on information including depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees.

“New-car shoppers usually pay a lot of attention to how much a car will cost upfront; however, sometimes an even more expensive car on the front end can actually save you money during the first five years of ownership by having low total ownership costs,” said Dan Ingle, vice president of vehicle valuations at KBB. “Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own information evaluates the other out-of-pocket expenses drivers will incur beyond the initial purchase price, which helps consumers choose the vehicle that fits their needs and their long-term budget best, helping save money down the road.”

Topping the list as best value overall for KBB’s 2015 5-Year Cost to Own: Best Brand, which was competed for by all brands, was Subaru, taking the cake as the manufacturer with the lowest overall cost to own through its entire lineup. Success for Subaru has been fueled by just about its entire portfolio of offerings, including its 2015 model year versions of the Forester, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, Outback and BRZ. Subaru also recently won KBB’s award for best overall brand in its 2015 Best Resale Value Awards.

On the luxury side, domestic manufacturer Lincoln won the 2015 5-Year Cost to Own: Best Luxury Brand, featuring its currently lowest average total maintenance costs of any luxury brand. Standing out amongst Lincoln’s lineup are the 2015 Navigator, MKX and MKZ.

The remaining winners, each based on its individual category, are as follows, according to data provided by KBB:

More information on KBB’s 2015 5-Year Cost to Own Award winners can be found here.