(February 12, 2015) IRVINE, Calif. — The 2015 model-year brand and category winners of the fourth annual 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, recognizing new vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs, were announced today by Kelley Blue Book, .kbb.com. These awards are based on Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own data for new cars for the initial five-year ownership period.

While depreciation (or loss of value) and fuel costs may be the greatest expense incurred in owning a vehicle, there are other factors that can have a significant impact on a consumer's budget.

Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own Awards, like all new- and used-car information provided by KBB.com, exist to help shoppers make more informed new-car buying decisions by breaking down typical ownership cost details and naming the brands and models with the lowest projected five-year total.

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 for Kelley Blue Book.

"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."

Based on analysis of Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own information for 2015 model-year new vehicles, Subaru and Lincoln are the prestigious brand winners. In addition to a low depreciation cost and strong residual values across its full model lineup, Subaru also has a mid-range Fair Purchase Price and competitive fuel costs, making it the 2015 5-Year Cost to Own: Best Brand among all automakers.

Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price is the price shoppers typically pay a dealer for a new car, based on actual new-car transactions and adjusted regularly as market conditions change. Some of the models driving Subaru's success include the 2015 Subaru Forester, Impreza, Legacy, WRX, Outback and BRZ. Subaru also recently won the overall brand award in Kelley Blue Book's 2015 Best Resale Value Awards for having the best projected resale value across its entire 2015 model-year lineup.

Meanwhile, Lincoln took the crown for the 2015 5-Year Cost to Own: Best Luxury Brand, as it currently has the lowest average total maintenance costs of any luxury brand, and ranks competitively in depreciation and insurance costs. Some Lincoln models driving the brand's success include the 2015 Navigator, MKX and MKZ.

Other notable 5-Year Cost to Own Award winners include the 2015 Chevrolet Impala, which has beat all models in its class since the inception of this accolade in 2012. Fully redesigned for the 2014 model year, the Impala continues to best the competition with its low Fair Purchase Price, which results in lower financing and state fees. This model also has a low deprecation after the first five years of ownership.

All-new for 2015, Chevrolet's Colorado pickup also is being honored for the first time among mid-size pickup trucks for its low Fair Purchase Price, and fuel and maintenance costs, besting both the GMC Canyon and Toyota Tacoma. With only $400 separating the top three performers in the mid-size car category, the Mazda MAZDA6 edges out the competition by offering savings in nearly every category, with the exception of depreciation and repairs. This model also was a winner in 2012 and 2013.