Subaru’s high residual value is a main reason that the automaker has won the top brand ownership cost category in the 2020 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost-to-Own Awards, Eric Ibara said.

“Subaru claims the top brand position for the second year in a row, right on the heels of winning a Kelley Blue Book award for Best Resale Value Brand of 2020,” said Ibara, who is director of 5-Year Cost to Own for Kelley Blue Book, in the release.

Kelley Blue Book said its 5-Year Cost-to-Own Awards recognize new vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs over the initial five-year ownership period.  Kelley said it puts on the awards “to help in-market shoppers buy smart and save money.”

The awards recognize new vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs over the initial five-year ownership period.

“Our 5-Year Cost to Own information breaks down typical ownership costs to help shoppers evaluate the impactful out-of-pocket expenses they will incur over time beyond the initial price paid,” Ibara said.

In the luxury brand category, Acura claimed the top prize. In many vehicle ownership cost categories, several of the key models in Acura’s lineup “performed well above the segment average,” Kelley Blue Book said.

The company said its 5-Year Cost to Own information considers depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees.

With the data, according to Kelley, consumers can see the big picture of the cost of a new vehicle over time. That helps shoppers save money by choosing a vehicle that is best for their needs and long-term budget.

Kelley Blue Book, A Cox Automotive brand, developed its 5-Year Cost to Own information using Kelley Blue Book Residual Values to calculate depreciation costs.

To calculate total ownership costs for new vehicles, Kelley Blue Book applies a valuation methodology along with financial data from third-party providers.

Following is a list of the winners:  

— 2020 Kelley Blue Book 5-year cost to own award: brand

Subaru

 — 2020 Kelley Blue Book 5-year cost to own award: luxury brand

Acura  

— 2020 Kelley Blue Book 5-year Cost to Own Awards: by vehicle category

Compact car:  Hyundai Elantra

Mid-size SUV – 3-row: Mitsubishi Outlander

Mid-size car: Honda Accord

Full-size SUV: Chevrolet Tahoe

Full-size car: Chevrolet Impala

Luxury subcompact SUV: Lexus UX

Entry-level luxury car: Acura ILX

Luxury compact SUV: Lexus NX

Luxury car: Volvo V90

Luxury mid-size SUV – 2-ROW: Lexus RX

Sports car: Fiat 124 Spider

Luxury mid-size SUV – 3-ROW: Acura MDX

Hybrid/alternative energy car: Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Luxury full-size SUV: Infiniti QX80

Electric vehicle: Nissan LEAF

Off-road SUV: Jeep Wrangler

Subcompact SUV: Hyundai Venue

Mid-size pickup truck: Toyota Tacoma

Compact SUV: Subaru Forester

Full-size pickup truck: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 

Mid-size SUV – 2-row: Hyundai Santa Fe

Minivan: Chrysler Voyager

(2020 model-year vehicles’ projected ownership costs are based on the average Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own data for the initial five-year ownership period).