Kelley Blue Book Names 2018 5-Year Cost To Own Award Winners

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Negotiating a good price on a new car can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but shoppers can save even more simply by choosing the right car to begin with. Purchase price is just one of the costs associated with vehicle ownership, and when the continuing costs of fuel, financing, insurance and depreciation are considered, saving a few bucks up front can cost more when all is said and done. Helping consumers shop smart and save money, Kelley Blue Book's expert editors today name the 2018 model-year brand and category winners of the seventh annual 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, recognizing new vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs.

"Kelley Blue Book exists to help consumers make the best possible decision during the car shopping journey and throughout vehicle ownership," said Mike Sadowski, general manager for Kelley Blue Book. "Our 5-Year Cost to Own information breaks down typical ownership costs, so shoppers can evaluate the out-of-pocket expenses they will incur beyond the initial purchase price. Having this information at their fingertips, consumers could save money down the road by choosing a vehicle that best fits their needs and their long-term budget."

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

2018 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award Winners

2018 KELLEY BLUE BOOK 5-YEAR COST TO OWN AWARDS: BY VEHICLE CATEGORY

SUBCOMPACT CAR: Chevrolet Spark ELECTRIC VEHICLE: Nissan LEAF COMPACT CAR: Toyota Corolla iM SUBCOMPACT SUV/CROSSOVER: Honda HR-V SPORTY COMPACT CAR: Honda Civic Si COMPACT SUV/CROSSOVER: Subaru Crosstrek MID-SIZE CAR: Hyundai Sonata MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited FULL-SIZE CAR: Chevrolet Impala FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER: Chevrolet Tahoe ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY CAR: Acura ILX LUXURY COMPACT SUV/CROSSOVER: Buick Encore LUXURY CAR: Lexus GS LUXURY MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER: Infiniti QX60 HIGH-END LUXURY CAR: Porsche Panamera LUXURY FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER: Infiniti QX80 SPORTS CAR: Chevrolet Camaro MID-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK: Toyota Tacoma HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR: Dodge Challenger SRT HYBRID/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CAR: Toyota Prius c FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK: Ford F-150 MINIVAN: Honda Odyssey

(2018 model-year vehicle's projected ownership costs are based on the average Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own data for the initial five-year ownership period).

Winning for the second time since the program's inception, Hyundai is this year's top brand for lowest total ownership costs. Hyundai's lineup performed well in most categories, with the Sonata among the most notable models. Sonata won in the mid-size car category, while the Elantra and Accent placed second for the compact car and subcompact car categories respectively. Hyundai's key advantage in its low repair costs from its superior warranty program. Among luxury brands, Acura takes the top spot for the third consecutive year with two notable vehicles in its lineup, the ILX and MDX. Acura provides consumers with luxury models at an affordable price and without the expensive maintenance down the road.

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

For more information about the 2018 5-Year Cost to Own Award winners, please visit https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/5-year-cost-to-own-awards/.

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a Cox Automotive™ brand.

About Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive Inc. is transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars with industry-leading digital marketing, financial, retail and wholesale solutions for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and the overall automotive ecosystem worldwide. Committed to open choice and dedicated to strong partnerships, the Cox Automotive family includes Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, vAuto®, Xtime® and a host of other brands. The global company has 34,000-plus team members in more than 200 locations and is partner to more than 40,000 auto dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, while engaging U.S. consumer car buyers with the most recognized media brands in the industry. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., an Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees. Cox Enterprises' other major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications and Cox Media Group. For more information about Cox Automotive, visit www.coxautoinc.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book