New Designs, Increased Horsepower Drives Up Resale Values

2011 Jaguar XJ MSRP*: $71,650- $114,150

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

  XJ's Average Residual: 53%/33% of MSRP

Jaguar's Average Residual : 48%/30% of MSRP

Premium Luxury Car Average Residual: 44%/28% of MSRP

2011 Highlight: new European limo-like design

2011 Infiniti M MSRP*: $45,800- $60,050

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

M's Average Residual: 53%/37% of MSRP

Infiniti's Average Residual : 45%/28% of MSRP

Midsize Car Average Residual: 45%/29% of MSRP

2011 Highlights: new design, seven-speed transmission and more horses underneath the hood

2011 Hyundai Sonata MSRP*: $19,195- $25,295

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

  Sonata's Average Residual: 53%/38% of MSRP

Hyundai's Average Residual : 47%/31% of MSRP

Midsize Car Average Residual: 46%/31% of MSRP

2011 Highlights: new design and available with only a 4-cylinder engine

2011 Ford Mustang/Convertible MSRP*: $22,145- $37,845

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

Mustang's Average Residual: 57%/45% of MSRP

Ford's Average Residual : 42%/29% of MSRP

Sporty Car Average Residual: 50%/35% of MSRP

2011 Highlights: more horses underneath the hood to compete with the super popular Camaro; after five years of ownership, the Mustang is expected to retain 45 percent of the MSRP. That's impressive.

Here are four 2011 re-designed vehicles which are expected to have a higher resale value than other competing vehicles in its category over a 3-year and 5-year period. Residual value is based on the percentage of the MSRP a new-vehicle will retain after a period of time, which could be 2 years, 3 years, 4 years or 5 years. Typically, after 5 years, the value of your vehicle greatly diminishes. Resale value is important for two reasons: if you plan on trading in your vehicle within a specified period of time and if you plan on leasing a vehicle. In the case of leasing, higher residual values leads to lower car payments than traditional financing.

*MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) does not include destination fee or options.

Source: American Lease Guide and JeffCars.com