IRVINE, Calif. -

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:

SUBCOMPACT CAR:  Chevrolet Spark

COMPACT CAR:  Toyota Corolla

SPORTY COMPACT CAR: Honda Civic Si

MID-SIZE CAR:  Mazda MAZDA6

FULL-SIZE CAR: Chevrolet Impala

ENTRY-LEVEL LUXURY CAR:  Buick Verano

LUXURY CAR: Audi A5

HIGH-END LUXURY CAR: Lexus LS

SPORTS CAR:  Mazda MX-5 Miata

HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAR: Ford Mustang GT

HYBRID/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CAR: Toyota Prius c

PLUG-IN VEHICLE: Chevrolet Spark EV

COMPACT SUV/CROSSOVER:  Jeep Patriot

MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:  Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER: Ford Explorer

LUXURY COMPACT SUV/CROSSOVER:  Buick Encore

LUXURY MID-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:  Lincoln  MKX

LUXURY FULL-SIZE SUV/CROSSOVER:  Buick Enclave

MID-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK:  Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab

FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK:  GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab

MINIVAN/VAN:  Mazda MAZDA5

HYBRID SUV/CROSSOVER: Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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