Jeep SUV has best resale value of any vehicle in Canada

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The Jeep Wrangler claimed top honours for best resale value in Canada by percentage, as announced Wednesday by Canadian Black Book (CBB), the country's largest publisher of wholesale used-vehicle prices.

Holding close to 70 per cent of MSRP after four years, the Wrangler placed first in CBB's 10th annual Best Retained Value Awards and also won the compact SUV category for the fifth straight year. CBB compared values of 2011 models in 20 classes.

Toyota, including its Lexus brand, dominated by winning seven categories while placing 15 models in the top-3.

"Toyota really has built a reputation for treating customers well. They build well in their factories and have good warranties," says Josh Bailey, vice-president of research and editorial for CBB.

Honda vehicles won two categories and Subaru one, giving Japanaese makers top placing in half the categories. German premium auto makers took seven categories led by Porsche with three, while U.S. manufacturers nabbed three top-placings.

Bailey notes that While Toyota has made news in 2014 for a lot of recalls, people's impressions of the company have actually improved because of how they handled the situations.

"It comes down to the reputation. People recognize Japanese brands as having long lives and there is a lag in the reputation [that is building for U.S. vehicles]," Bailey says. "We are seeing long-term quality of domestic products drastically changing."

He believes more Big Three vehicles will rank higher soon.

Resale value matters because "depreciation is still the biggest cost of ownership," Bailey says. "We all watch gas prices, but … people should stop and look at the future value. It may be a great deal month to month, but in the ownership period it may be more expensive."

He adds, "Some people buy a car and drive it until there is nothing left, but most people want to eventually sell their car, so it is important to consider," Bailey says.

For example, the Honda Odyssey won the minivan class for the fifth straight year yet the Dodge Grand Caravan, which didn't make the list, dominates the market: more than half of Canadians who buy a minivan, buy a Grand Caravan.

The Odyssey's SE trim has a list price of $32,300 while the Caravan SXT retails for $33,195. Assuming 24,000 km driven annually, after five years the value of the Odyssey would be $11,300 and the value of the Grand Caravan would be $9,550, according to CBB. The Odyssey will cost an owner $21,000 over five years and the Grand Caravan will cost $23,645. The Odyssey owner will end up saving $2,645.

"Sometimes spending a little more today will net you more on the back end," Bailey says.

Canadian Black Book in addition to publishing new and used vehicle prices, provides an online tool that assesses the future value of any vehicle.

TOP THREE, BY CATEGORY

1. Honda Fit
2. Kia Soul
3. Scion xD

Compact Car

1. Toyota Prius
2. Subaru Impreza
3. Acura CSX

Mid-size Car

1. Subaru Outback
2. Kia Optima
3. Honda Accord

Full-size Car

1. Toyota Avalon
2. Dodge Charger
3. Chrysler 300

Entry Luxury Car

1. Lexus CT200h
2. Volvo XC70
3. Lexus IS Series

Luxury Car

1. Audi A5
2. Hyundai Equus
3. Lexus GS Series

Premium Luxury Car

1. Porsche Panamera
2. Lexus LS Series
3. Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Premium Sports Car

1. Porsche Boxster
2. Porsche Cayman
3. Audi A8

Sports Car

1. Dodge Challenger
2. Volkswagen GTI
3. Audi TT

Small Pickup

1. Toyota Tacoma
2. Honda Ridgeline
3. Ford Ranger

Full-size Pickup

1. Toyota Tundra
2. Chevrolet Silverado HD
3. Chevrolet Avalanche

Minivan

1. Honda Odyssey
2. Toyota Sienna
3. Nissan Quest

Full-size Van

1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
2. GMC Savana
3. Chevrolet Express

Compact Commercial Van

1. Ford Transit Connect
2. Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo

Compact SUV

1. Jeep Wrangler
2. Honda CR-V tied with  Subaru Forester

Mid-size SUV

1. Toyota 4Runner
2. Toyota FJ Cruiser
3. Toyota Highlander

Full-size SUV

1. Toyota Sequoia
2. Dodge Durango
3. Nissan Armada

Compact Luxury SUV

1. Audi Q5
2. Acura RDX
3. Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

Mid-size Luxury SUV

1. Porsche Cayenne
2. Lexus GX Series
3. Land Rover LR4

Full-size Luxury SUV

1. Mercedes-Benz G-Class
2. Lexus LX Series
3. Land Rover Range Rover