The 2012 Subaru Legacy tops the list among midsize models when it comes to anticipated residual value.
Japanese brands, though facing increased competition, continue to be best at holding onto their residual – or trade-in – values, according to a new study, with Subaru topping the list among mainstream manufacturers while Lexus led the line among luxury brands.
Japanese makers topped 10 of the 19 individual vehicle segments in the 13th Annual Residual Value Awards presented by ALG, long known as the Automotive Leasing Guide. But Audi, which took the lead in three categories, had more individual segment wins than any other manufacturer.
The study is significant in that it suggests which automotive marques will do the best job of maintaining value when it’s time to trade in or to return a leased vehicle.
“Residual value is a great indicator of brand strength which in turn contributes to greater sales and profitability,” said Raj Sundaram for ALG. “We have seen a strong focus this year on producing high-quality products with great pricing and packaging delivering real value for vehicle buyers.”
Audi takes a win with the A7.
The latest Residual Value Awards look at how 2012 model-year vehicles are expected to hold up based on a number of criteria, including their competitive set, industry trends and how those brands have performed in the past.
Though smaller and not nearly as well-known as other Japanese brands, Subaru took the top mainstream award for the third year in a row, while its Legacy and Outback models were winners in their individual categories.
Lexus, meanwhile, was the leader among luxury brands, while its CT200h topped the list in its Luxury Hybrid segment.
Audi took three individual segment awards, for its A6, A7 and Q7 crossover vehicle, more than any other manufacturer. Only two other European brands made the list, the Volkswagen with its Golf TDI diesel, and Land Rover, which took two segments with its Range Rover Sport and the new Range Rover Evoque, its first-ever crossover.
Honda and Toyota – excluding the latter maker’s Lexus brand — also took two segment honors each.
The Jeep Wrangler and GMC Acadia were the only domestic models to take segment honors in the ALG’s 13th Annual Residual Value Awards.
The full list follows:
Summary of 2012 Residual Value Winners
Mainstream Brand Subaru of America
Luxury Brand Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Segment Winners
Sub Compact Car Honda Fit
Compact Car Hyundai Elantra
Midsize Car Subaru Legacy
Fullsize Car Nissan Maxima
Sporty Car Mazdaspeed3
Alternative Powertrain Volkswagen Golf TDI
MPV Honda Odyssey
Compact Utility Jeep Wrangler
Midsize Utility Subaru Outback
Fullsize Utility GMC Acadia
Midsize Pickup Toyota Tacoma
Fullsize Pickup Toyota Tundra
Near Luxury Car Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Luxury Car Audi A6
Luxury Sports car Audi S5
Luxury Alt-Fuel Lexus CT 200h
Luxury Compact Utility Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Luxury Midsize Utility Land Rover Ranger Rover Sport
Luxury Fullsize Utility Audi Q7