Holding their value
Looking for a car that won’t lose half its value as soon as you leave the lot? These are a safe bet
Depreciation is like aging — no one can resist or avoid it. But when buying a car, you can reduce the financial toll that depreciation inevitably takes on the value of your car through prevention, just like keeping yourself healthy by eating less and moving more will help stave off health declines in your later years.
Prevention starts with picking the right car, truck or SUV in the first place, the models that consistently attain the highest residual value five years after their launch — or what the car will sell for privately long after it’s left the lot. Each year, Edmunds calculates the value of models with sales of more than 100,000 units in the U.S., and assuming the vehicle was driven 24,000 kilometres a year, determines what the vehicle will be worth in five years, as a percentage of what it cost new.
Those with the highest percentage resale value resulted in Edmunds handing out Best Retained Value Awards for the following 2016 models, all of which should prove to be sound purchases over the long haul.
Subcompact car: Honda Fit
The third-generation Fit is equipped with a 1.5-litre in-line four engine that makes 130 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and has an optional CVT. The Fit seats five. Fuel economy is rated at 7 L/100 km in the city and 5.7 L on the highway. Starting MSRP is $14,790.
Honourable mentions: Kia Soul, Toyota Prius C
Compact car: Subaru WRX
With AWD and seating for five, Subaru’s WRX can be had with either a 2.0-L turbocharged fourcylinder with 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.5-L turbocharged four-cylinder with 305 hp and 290 lb-ft. Transmissions include either a six-speed manual or CVT automatic. Starting MSRP is $29,995.
Honourable mentions: Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic
Mid-size car: Toyota Camry
Updated in 2015, the Camry comes in XSE and Hybrid SE grades, along with the entry-level LE and the premium XLE. Camry continues with the 2.5-L fourcylinder or 3.5-L V6 gas engines paired with six-speed automatic transmissions, or a 2.5-L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder with Hybrid Synergy drive matched to an E-CVT. Starting MSRP is $24,655.
Honourable mentions: Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord
Large car: Toyota Avalon
Designed, engineered and built in America, the four-door, fivepassenger Avalon is powered by a 3.5-L V6 engine mated to a sixspeed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 11.4 L/100 km in the city, 7.6 L on the highway. Starting MSRP is $38,990.
Honourable mentions: Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala
Entry-level sports car: Ford Mustang
Now with a fully independent rear suspension, Ford’s venerable Mustang uses a 3.7-L V6 with 300 hp in base trim. The popular GT model receives a 5.0-L V8 engine, producing 435 hp. Transmissions include a six-speed manual and an optional six-speed automatic. A 2.3-L EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, with an impressive 310 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, is also available. Starting MSRP is $25,077.
Honourable mentions: Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro
Mid-range sports car: Chevrolet Corvette
The rear-wheel-drive, aluminum-chassis Stingray features a 6.2-L V8 engine producing 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. A sevenspeed manual transmission is standard, but buyers can select an eight-speed automatic. Z06 buyers get a 6.2-L supercharged V8 with 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Starting MSRP is $64,495.
Honourable mentions: Porsche Cayman, Porsche Boxster
Premium sports car: Porsche 911
Porsche’s iconic 911 gets a choice of two 3.0-L twin-turbo power plants. The Carrera gets 370 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque and the Carrera S gets 420 hp and 368 lb-ft. And yes, a seven-speed manual transmission is thankfully still available, with a dual-clutch automatic as an option. Starting MSRP is $102,200.
Honourable mentions: Audi TTS, Audi RS 7
Entry-level luxury car: Lexus IS 350
The Lexus IS 350 AWD packs a 3.5-L V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces a peak 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. A new drive mode feature allows up to four driving mode options. Starting MSRP is $52,100.
Honourable mentions: Acura ILX, Lexus ES 350
Mid-range luxury car: BMW M3
The M3 is a true driver’s car and benefits from lightweight materials such as carbon fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminum for a number of chassis and body components. Its smooth, 3.0-L straight six engine packs even more punch than the previous generation’s V8: 425 hp from 5,500 to 7,300 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque from 1,850 to 5,500 rpm. Starting MSRP is $74,000.
Honourable mentions: Lexus GS 350, Jaguar XF
Premium luxury car: Porsche Panamera
Porsche just introduced us to its updated Panamera and three models are currently available (although there were 11 to choose from before) ranging from the base to the Turbo S. Engine choices and power vary widely between models. Starting MSRP is $114,300 for the 4S.
Honourable mentions: Audi S6, Lexus LS 460
Note: MSRPs do not include freight, PDI and other fees.