Best Values in 2015 Cars: New and Redesigned Models

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published 22 January 2015

To win Kiplinger's Best Value Award among new and redesigned models, a vehicle must be newly introduced or fully redesigned—not just updated. We pick a Best New (as well as a Best in Class) model in 15 categories. There's something here for every buyer and every budget.

As automakers battle for market share, consumers are the winners. You have more choices in every segment -- and better ones, at that. Luxury nameplates are luring buyers with new, lower-priced models, and mainstream brands are loading their vehicles with new features that used to be found only on luxury models.

Disclaimer

EDITOR'S NOTE: There is no new Best Large Crossover car model for 2015.

KELLEY BLUE BOOK FAIR PURCHASE PRICE: The Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price for new cars is generally the midpoint of the Fair Market Range. It is Kelley Blue Book's estimate of what a consumer could reasonably expect to pay in during the period between December 19, 2014 through January 15, 2015 for a new vehicle with standard options, excluding taxes, title and fees. It's based on actual new-car transactions, plus data from other reliable third-party sources as well as market conditions.

Topics

Cars Under $20,000: Honda Fit

Sticker price: $17,270 (LX, automatic)
Invoice price: $16,836
Resale value: 3-year: 67%; 5-year: 49%
MPG: City: 33; Hwy: 41

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Cars $20,000-$25,000: Volkswagen Golf TDI

Sticker price: $22,815 (S 4dr, manual)
Invoice price: $21,935
Resale value: 3-year: 64%; 5-year: 50%
MPG: City: 30; Hwy: 45

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Cars $25,000-$30,000: Subaru Legacy

Sticker price: $27,290 (2.5i Limited)
Invoice price: $25,689
Resale value: 3-year: 61%; 5-year: 44%
MPG: City: 26; Hwy: 36

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Cars $30,000-$40,000: Toyota Camry V6

Sticker price: $32,195 (XLE V6)
Invoice price: $29,371
Resale value: 3-year: 62%; 5-year: 50%
MPG: City: 21; Hwy: 31

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Cars $40,000-$50,000: Acura TLX

Sticker price: $43,420 (3.5 w/Advance package)
Invoice price: $40,736
Resale value: 3-year: 51%; 5-year: 36%
MPG: City: 21; Hwy: 34

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Cars $50,000 and Over: Hyundai Genesis

Sticker price: $52,450 (5.0)
Invoice price: $48,615
Resale value: 3-year: 50%; 5-year: 32%
MPG: City: 15; Hwy: 23

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Wagons: Subaru Outback

Sticker price: $25,745 (2.5i)
Invoice price: $24,257
Resale value: 3-year: 64%; 5-year: 44%
MPG: City: 25; Hwy: 33

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Minivans: Kia Sedona

Sticker price: $26,795 (L)
Invoice price: $26,001
Resale value: 3-year: 51%; 5-year: 34%
MPG: City: 18; Hwy: 24

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Small Crossovers: Lincoln MKC

Sticker price: $33,995
Invoice price: $32,340
Resale value: 3-year: 52%; 5-year: 36%
MPG: City: 20; Hwy: 29

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Midsize Crossovers: Nissan Murano

Sticker price: $30,445 (S)
Invoice price: $28,427
Resale value: 3-year: NA; 5-year: NA
MPG: City: 21; Hwy: 28

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Sports Cars: Ford Mustang

Sticker price: $25,995 (EcoBoost, manual)
Invoice price: $24,297
Resale value: 3-year: 60%; 5-year: 45%
MPG: City: 22; Hwy: 31

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the redesigned Ford Mustang is as appealing to your head as it is to your heart. High resale values and top-notch fuel economy are joined by agile handling, selectable drive modes and 300 horses or more, no matter your choice of powertrains (V6, V8 or the new four-cylinder EcoBoost). A built-in app tracks performance metrics such as g-forces and acceleration and braking times.

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Truck-based SUVs: Chevrolet Tahoe

Sticker price: $45,595 (LS)
Invoice price: $42,473
Resale value: 3-year: 54%; 5-year: 40%
MPG: City: 16; Hwy: 23

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Midsize Trucks: Chevrolet Colorado

Sticker price: $29,505 (Crew Cab LT Long Box)
Invoice price: $28,073
Resale value: 3-year: 68%; 5-year: 58%
MPG: City: 18; Hwy: 26

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Full-size Trucks: Ford F-150

Sticker price: $26,615 (Regular Cab XL 6.5 Foot Box)
Invoice price: $24,773
Resale value: 3-year: 48%; 5-year: 35%
MPG: City: 18; Hwy: 25

America’s best-selling pickup gets a cutting-edge redesign for 2015, including a military-grade aluminum body for better fuel economy. Nearly 700 pounds lighter than last year’s model, the F-150 wins Most Fuel-Efficient in its class when equipped with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 (a 3.5-liter EcoBoost and normally aspirated V6 and V8 engines are also available). New options include a bird’s-eye-view camera, which displays a 360-degree view around truck from a vantage point above the vehicle, and “trailer hitch assist” for easier towing.

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Anderson has been with Kiplinger since January 2004, when she joined the staff as a reporter. Since then, she's covered the gamut of personal finance issues—from mortgages and credit to spending wisely—and she heads up Kiplinger's annual automotive rankings. She holds a BA in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was the 2012 president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and serves on its board of directors. In 2014, she was selected for the North American Car and Truck Of the Year jury. The awards, presented at the Detroit Auto Show, have come to be regarded as the most prestigious of their kind in the U.S. because they involve no commercial tie-ins. The jury is composed of nationally recognized journalists from across the U.S. and Canada, who are selected on the basis of audience reach, experience, expertise, product knowledge, and reputation in the automotive community.