(November 26, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Toyota has been named the best resale brand for the 2013 model-year in the annual Best Resale Value Awards by Kelley Blue Book, which recognizes current and forthcoming vehicles for their projected retained value throughout the initial five-year ownership period. Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus, was named the best resale value brand in the luxury category.

Since depreciation (or loss of value) is typically a car buyer's primary expense during ownership, these awards, like all of KBB.com's new and used vehicle information, are designed to help consumers make more informed car-buying decisions.

Toyota/Lexus vehicles won in 12 categories, far more than any other manufacturer. Honda won in four categories; Chevrolet won in three; Porsche was best in two categories; and Ford, Jeep, and Infiniti each won in one category. 

(Residual values used for award calculations are based on the November/December 2012 Kelley Blue Book^® Residual Value Guide.  Top 10 models appear in alphabetical order).

Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards are based on projections from the Kelley Blue Book Official Residual Value Guide, determined by a skilled staff of automotive analysts. These awards honor vehicles expected to maintain the greatest proportion of their original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) after five years of ownership. Low-volume vehicles and vehicles with a MSRP of more than $60,000 are excluded from award consideration, except in the luxury and high-performance categories.

While most car buyers today consider sticker price one of the most significant numbers when choosing a new vehicle, the editors at Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com recommend that shoppers consider a number they won't find on any window sticker: the resale value.

Depreciation often is the greatest expense incurred by drivers during the first five years of vehicle ownership. An average 2013 model-year vehicle only will retain about 38.6 percent of its original value after a five-year ownership period, meaning that a $50,000 new car today will only be worth somewhere close to $19,300 after five years. Vehicles with average or below-average resale values are generally plentiful in the marketplace and easy to find.

But certain vehicles are projected to hold their value better than others. While much of a vehicle's resale value is based on supply and demand, as well as current and projected future market conditions, vehicles that retain their value best are rarely discounted and tend to generate high levels of consumer interest.

"The competition for Best Resale Value within many segments has become very heated in the last few years, as major vehicle redesigns and new model introductions have challenged the traditional favorites," said Eric Ibara, director of residual consulting for Kelley Blue Book.

"However, for the second year in a row, Toyota and Lexus retain the top Best Resale Value ranking for both non-luxury and luxury brands, based on the average 60-month residual value across all models in each brands' respective lineup. Combined, there is an impressive total of 12 Toyota and Lexus models bringing home 2013 Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards this year; half of the Top 10 models with Best Resale Value for 2013 hail from either Toyota or Lexus."