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

What Four New Rides Will Be Worth in Three Years

2010 Suzuki Kizashi

Base MSRP= $18,999 - $24,399*

Suzuki's 3-year Average = 47% of MSRP

Suzuki's 3-year Average= 45% of MSRP

Midsize Segment 3-year Average= 45% of MSRP

2010 Toyota  4Runner

Base MSRP= $27,500 - $39,800*

Toyota's 3-year Average = 50% of MSRP

Toyota's 3-year Average= 50% of MSRP

Midsize SUV Segment 3-year Average= 39% of MSRP

Three New Rides Projected to Have High Resale Values

2010 Lexus HS 250h MSRP*: $34,200- $48,525

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

HS 250h Average Residual: 51%/33% of MSRP
Lexus Average Residual : 49%/32% of MSRP
Entry Luxury Average Residual: 49%/32% of MSRP

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster MSRP*: $36,970- $46,890

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

Nissan 370Z Roadster Average Residual: 52%/36% of MSRP

Nissan Average Residual: 47%/32% of MSRP

Convertible Average Residual: 45%/31% of MSRP

2010 GMC Terrain MSRP*: $24,250- $38,180

Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual
GMC Terrain Average Residual: 46%Category/31% of MSRP
GMC Average Residual: 41%/28% of MSRP

Compact SUV Average Residual: 46%/31% of MSRP

The GMC Terrain, which replaces the now defunct Pontiac Torrent, and Lexus HS 250h, which is the brand's first entry level hybrid, are both brand new arrivals for the 2010 model year, while the Nissan 370Z has been redesigned for the 2010 model year. Each of the vehicles are expected to maintain a resale value at or above the average residual for its segment over a 3-year and 5-year period based on the most recent data provided by the American Leasing Guide. In fact, these vehicles perform better as it relates to resale value than the other makes in its brand. If you're in the market for one of the aforementioned rides, at least you know they should maintain a significant percentage of their value, as it relates to the MSRP over a period of time.

Resale values are significant if you plan on trading your vehicle with in the next three to five years or if you plan on leasing. A high resale value means that if you're leasing, automakers will be in a position to offer lower payments than traditional financing. Conversely, if you plan on driving your vehicle until the wheels roll off, dependability and reliability are more of a concern than the resale value. To view other 2010 models with high resale values, click here.

To configure the aforementioned vehicles, visit our New-Vehicle Pricing Guide.

*The MSRP excludes advertising fees.

Sources:American Leasing Guide and JeffCars.com

2010 Rides with High Residual Values

2010 Subaru Legacy MSRP*: $17,995- $29,995
Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual
Legacy Average Residual: 54%/36% of MSRP
Subaru Average Residual : 49%/34% of MSRP
Midsize Car Average Residual: 39%/25% of MSRP

2010 Ford Taurus SHO MSRP*: $37,170
Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual
Taurus SHO Average Residual: 44%/29% of MSRP
Ford Average Residual: 37%/24% of MSRP
Full Size Car Average Residual: 36%/24% of MSRP

2010 Kia Forte MSRP*: $13,695-$18.195
Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual
Forte Average Residual: 50%/27% of MSRP
Kia Average Residual: 33%/20% of MSRP
Mid-Compact Car Average Residual: 43%/29% of MSRP

2010 Buick LaCrosse MSRP*: $27,085-$33,015
Category: 3-yr/5-yr Residual

LaCrosse Average Residual: 46%/31% of MSRP
Buick Average Residual: 36%/24% of MSRP

Fullsize Car Average Residual: 36%/24% of MSRP

Here are four all-new re-designed vehicles which are expected to have a higher resale value than other competing vehicles in its category over a 3-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. This is why many automakers depend on leasing as a significant percentage of their monthly new-vehicle sales and why Chrysler and GM recently recommitted to leasing.

On the other hand, if you plan on holding on to your vehicle until the wheels fall off, resale value should be the least of your concern. In fact, quality and long-term reliability should be at the top of your list. Ironically, while the Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus SHO and Subaru Legacy have a higher resale value than its brand and its segment over a 3-year and 5-year period, the Kia Forte, which replaces the Spectra, actually is expected to roll in 2 points lower than the mid-compact car average segment at the end of five years. Yet, the Forte still manages to pull in a residual value 7 points higher than the Kia brand as a whole. Conversely, the Kia Forte has a longer powertrain warranty than the competing vehicles in its segment like the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.

With the exception of the Taurus SHO, which we have reviewed, look for upcoming car reviews of the aforementioned new rides soon. To check out the features and options of each of the vehicles, visit the Car-Buying Toolbox on this site, accessing our New-Vehicle Pricing Guide.

*The base MSRP excludes the destination charge, advertising fees and options.

Sources: American Leasing Guide and JeffCars.com