Press Release

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ranked
top sedan in the U.S. with high resale value

CNN Money and Kelley Blue Book recently published the top ranked vehicles in the U.S. These cars maintain high resale value even on its fifth year. According experts at Kelley Blue Book, the average new car loses 65 percent of its value over five years of normal driving, while they observed some cars to hold their value better than other 2005 models, retaining half of their value over five years.

CNN Money and Kelley Blue Book listed the top resale value cars based on classification. In the sedan class, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution bested other sedans in the US market with 53 percent retained value for five years. Demand for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which sells around 31,000 US dollars, has been increasing in the US market after it has reaping good reviews from popular magazines such as Motor Trend, Car and Driver and Road and Track. Other vehicles which came out to have the best resale value in their class are as follows:

Coupe – Infinity G35 (50 percent retained value for 5 years)
Convertible – Nissan 350Z Touring Roadster (53 percent)
Hatchback – BMW Mini Cooper (53 percent)
Wagon – Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (45 percent)
Luxury – BMW 5 series (48 percent)
Truck – Dodge RAM SRT (53 percent)
SUV – Volvo XC90 (53 percent)
Minivan – Honda Odyssey (46 percent)

According to the CNN Money article dated August 26, some vehicles retain their value better than others simply because of supply and demand. However, other factors can also affect the resale value. Mr. Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of Kelley Blue Book said that “a highly popular or desirable car with limited availability, will depreciate more slowly, than a car that is in sufficient supply or less desirable”. While some of the factors that lower the resale value are a design that looks outdated quickly, high maintenance cost and high availability.

In addition, garish colors, custom modifications, and lack of popular options such as power features like power steering, power windows, power door locks hurt the resale value. Though these items don’t add value to the car, the value is deducted if these items are not available.

Meanwhile, other value adding high value options such as leather interiors, sun/moon roof, ABS, and a premium sound system are advised. Also, cars with more powerful engines generally have good value.