An important measure of a vehicle's value -- and appeal -- is what it's expected to be worth three and five years down the road. These figures are the estimated price a dealer would pay if you traded in the vehicle, expressed as a percentage of the original sticker price. Resale values come from a complex set of calculations based in part on historical data and economic predictions, as well as competition in each automotive segment, how strong a car's brand is, and supply (including fleet and leasing sales) versus demand. To win best-resale plaudits, the model must first be selected as one of the top 25 vehicles in its category. Then we pick the vehicle with the highest three-year resale value. No model is eligible for the award if another trim level of the same model has won Best Resale in a lower-price category.
SEE OUR COMPLETE GUIDE: Best New Car Values, 2012
Cars Under $20,000: Ford Focus SE hatchback
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Sticker price: $19,095
Invoice price: $17,903
TrueCar national average price: $18,375
3-year resale value: 63%, 5-year: 45%
City mpg: 26, Hwy: 36
Part of what clinched the Best New Car award in its class for the Focus was its stellar resale values. Good looks, plenty of standard equipment and tons of cargo space in the hatchback don’t hurt either.
Cars $20,000-$25,000: Mini Cooper Countryman
Sticker price: $22,450
Invoice price: $20,275
TrueCar national average price: $22,332
3-year resale value: 69%, 5-year: 53%
City mpg: 27, Hwy: 35
With a short-SUV-style body reminiscent of a Scion xB or Kia Soul, but with the Mini's characteristically rounded features, the Countryman's introduction last year has helped reinvigorate the brand. The biggest Mini also has the highest resale value of any vehicle in our rankings this year -- worth a stunning 69% of the original price after three years.
Cars $25,000-$30,000: Mini Cooper Coupe S
Sticker price: $25,300
Invoice price: $22,840
TrueCar national average price: $25,217
3-year resale value: 68%, 5-year: 53%
City mpg: 27, Hwy: 35
New for 2012, the Mini Coupe (not to be confused with the long-standing Hardtop model) boasts a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that gets 35 miles per gallon on the highway and among the highest resale values of any vehicle (sliding in just below its sibling, the Mini Countryman).
Cars $30,000-$40,000: BMW 128i coupe
Sticker price: $31,925
Invoice price: $29,440
TrueCar national average price: $30,782
3-year resale value: 63%, 5-year: 43%
City mpg: 18, Hwy: 28
Although it's one of the littlest Bimmers, the 1-series is no slouch -- in value or on the road. Its 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine produces 230 horsepower and manages nearly 30 mpg on the highway.
Cars $40,000-$50,000: Infiniti G37x coupe
Sticker price: $41,595
Invoice price: $38,593
TrueCar national average price: $39,521
3-year resale value: 62%, 5-year: 45%
City mpg: 18, Hwy: 25
Every member of Infiniti's G series is fun to drive -- with a sporty suspension and plenty of power -- but the model that's tops for trading in is the all-wheel-drive G37x coupe.
Cars $50,000 and Over: Audi A7 Quattro 3.0 Premium Plus
Sticker price: $63,745
Invoice price: $59,344
TrueCar national average price: $61,806
3-year resale value: 60%, 5-year: 44%
City mpg: 18, Hwy: 28
New for 2012, Audi's A7 shares basic architecture, powertrain and interior styling with the A6, but the A7's hatchback styling has more cargo space -- 25 cubic feet -- and higher resale values. It rates a Worth a Look nod from Kiplinger's.
Sports Cars: Ford Mustang
Sticker price: $23,105 (base coupe)
Invoice price: $22,040
TrueCar national average price: $20,974
3-year resale value: 63%, 5-year: 46%
City mpg: 19, Hwy: 29
Ford's classic pony car won Best New Car last year with a redesign that added more power (305 horsepower from the 3.7-liter V6 engine) but kept fuel economy a priority. One of its shining achievements is a stellar resale value: It’ll be worth 63% of the sticker price after three years.
Small Crossovers: Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Touring
Sticker price: $30,670
Invoice price: $28,767
TrueCar national average price: $29,259
3-year resale value: 60%, 5-year: 46%
City mpg: 19, Hwy: 24
Kiplinger's Best in Class small crossover for the second year running, the Subaru Forester has sure-footed handling with the brand's standard all-wheel drive, loads of interior space and a speedy yet thrifty turbocharged engine.
Midsize and Large Crossovers: BMW X5 35i
Sticker price: $48,375
Invoice price: $44,575
TrueCar national average price: $45,706
3-year resale value: 62%, 5-year: 45%
City mpg: 16, Hwy: 23
With seating for up to seven passengers, German-engineered driving dynamics and high resale values, BMW’s X5 has always been appealing. For 2012, more standard features are added: roof rails and a cargo cover for added utility and an iPod/USB connection and Hi-Fi sound system for added enjoyment while driving.
Truck-based SUVs: Jeep Wrangler Sport
Sticker price: $22,845
Invoice price: $22,261
TrueCar national average price: $22,295
3-year resale value: 61%, 5-year: 46%
City mpg: 17, Hwy: 21
Jeep's classic go-anywhere off-roader stays ahead of the pack on value. It offers the best mileage in its class (outside of hybrid models), with 17 mpg in the city, and tops the resale charts.
Minivans: Toyota Sienna 7-Passenger V6
Sticker price: $27,110
Invoice price: $25,138
TrueCar national average price: $25,599
3-year resale value: 56%, 5-year: 42%
City mpg: 18, Hwy: 25
Redesigned last year, the Toyota Sienna is the only minivan to offer models with a four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. It seats up to eight passengers and features seven airbags, and its 3.5-liter V6 puts out 265 horses. It narrowly edges out the Honda Odyssey for Best Resale, and it receives a Worth a Look nod.
Wagons: Toyota Prius v Two
Sticker price: $27,160
Invoice price: $25,337
TrueCar national average price: $26,732
3-year resale value: 62%, 5-year: 48%
City mpg: 44, Hwy: 40
The Prius v wagon is the new, slightly bigger sibling of the ubiquitous Prius hatchback. Starting at just $2,400 more than the hatchback, the Prius v has 55% more cargo space -- a total 34 cubic feet -- and shares the family's top-notch fuel economy and resale values.
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