We’ll venture the bold assumption that you’ll want to sell your car for as much money as you can. You want to recover as much of the cost of the investment as you can because it was expensive. All cars lose value over time, but some do it more quickly than others.
IntelliChoice calculated the average retained values for a brand’s full model portfolio over a five-year period to find out. These estimates allow us to identify which manufacturers’ vehicles have better depreciation resistance. Let’s talk about the automobile brands that lose value more quickly now that we’ve determined which ones do so the best.
In This Article...
Mini: 50.4 Percent Retained Value
A fairly, well, small percentage of drivers are drawn to Mini automobiles because of its size, which lives up to its name. Models with charming aesthetics and nimble handling, like the retro Cooper, sporty Countryman crossover, or funky Clubman wagon, attract drivers with an eye for fashion and a sense of adventure but, more crucially, who can manage their diminutive dimensions. However, doubts about future worth may put buyers’ first enchantment to rest. The Countryman and Clubman receive a Poor five-year cost of ownership rating from IntelliChoice. Furthermore, we weren’t too impressed by the brand’s recent attempts at electrification. As joyful as Mini’s cars are to look at and drive, the brand’s market position is indicated by its value retention rate of 50.4%.
Mazda: 49.3 Percent Retained Value
Mazda doesn’t compare to other Japanese brands in terms of name recognition, lineup diversity, or value despite producing some of the best-looking and best-driving mainstream cars on the market. Even though the Mazda3 and Miata have sizable fan groups, those and other models may place a greater emphasis on driving characteristics than general utility. The Mazda6 lagged behind rival sedans until it was recently discontinued, while the CX-30 and CX-9 are less adaptable than rival crossovers. Although we usually love driving a Mazda, its value retention rate of 49.3 percent isn’t as high as that of its primary rivals. Possibly the brand’s next, higher-end vehicles will hold their value longer.
Kia: 47.7 Percent Retained Value
Kia has put a lot of effort into keeping up with its rivals in terms of quality, dynamics, and design. Want proof? The Sorento is back and even better than before, the Telluride won our competition for SUV of the Year, and the Optima’s makeover into the K5 gave this sedan new life. However, despite their appeal in other areas, Kia’s automobiles behind with an average value retention rate of 47.7% during a five-year period. Despite its extensive standard warranty and genuinely enticing options, that is the case. Even while we enjoy driving the Telluride and the sporty Stinger, Kia still needs to improve as evidenced by their respective Mediocre and Poor IntelliChoice scores.
Hyundai: 47.1 Percent Retained Value
Hyundai strives to match the reputation for quality and durability of Toyota and Honda, much like its corporate rival Kia. The long-term value proposition of Hyundai doesn’t appear to have been significantly impacted by a lengthy warranty or a group of very regarded experts. Models like the Sonata, Palisade, and Tucson serve as indicators of how far the brand’s products have come. However, Hyundai’s 47.1 retained value % suggests that it needs to do more to earn the trust of customers who value their money.
Volkswagen: 46.9 Percent Retained Value
Volkswagen’s image for quality suffered as a result of the Dieselgate incident, even though the company didn’t have a very strong one to begin with. Volkswagen lacks American and Asian rivals in mass-market appeal, even with more recent models like the Tiguan or Atlas, which only manage Average or Mediocre IntelliChoice value scores depending on trim. A shorter warranty is detrimental to its cause. Volkswagen is planning a number of electric vehicles, which might assist the company’s current 46.9% value retention percentage.
Nissan: 45.6 Percent Retained Value
Nissan has struggled to gain momentum and maintain its competitive position after a high-level organizational restructuring. It is currently working on refreshing its stale lineup. We were impressed by some of those efforts, like the Rogue and Sentra. Others, such as the legendary Z sports vehicle or the Pathfinder, stop at simply spiffing up antiquated platforms and engines. Despite the merits of Nissan’s engineering advancements, only a small percentage of its vehicles receive Good IntelliChoice value scores; the majority are ranked at Average, Mediocre, or Poor in terms of ownership costs. Nissan has a dismal 45.6 percent average value retention over a five-year period.
Buick: 42.3 Percent Retained Value
What does Buick mean today? Buick doesn’t seem to be confident in itself. Due to the brand’s current inventory consisting solely of SUVs, its tradition of opulent vintage sedans has come to an end. All of those models aren’t particularly terrible, but they don’t do much to change the outdated perception of Buick. Additionally, Buick’s uncertain positioning does not help. Does it aim for real luxury to compete with the best in the field, or does it aim for a premium experience at entry-level pricing? We believe Buick requires revival and a more focused course. If and when it occurs, it might improve the lineup’s average value retention, which is 42.3 percent.
Mitsubishi: 41.3 Percent Retained Value
Many of the Mitsubishi vehicles we’ve evaluated are affordable, but not just financially. We’ve encountered subpar engineering and craftsmanship in Mitsubishi cars, which leads to dull driving experiences. The Mirage and Eclipse Cross are among the least expensive options in their respective sectors, which is obvious from their flimsy construction and crude driving characteristics. The previous Outlander’s available electric driving range deserves praise, but the revised three-row SUV falls short of expectations. Mitsubishi’s value retention rate of 41.3% is significantly lower than that of other brands. Every other Mitsubishi has a Mediocre or Poor IntelliChoice ownership rating, leaving just the outdated Outlander Hybrid.
Chrysler: 40.2 Percent Retained Value
Any carmaker would find it challenging to maintain a two-model lineup, especially if those options are designed to compete in some of the least-wanted segments of the market. But Chrysler is going in that direction. Despite having advantages of its own, the 300 sedan and Pacifica minivan just do not appeal to the tastes of contemporary drivers. Only a layer of gradual improvements can hide the 300’s deterioration. Considering that it is a minivan, the Pacifica (and its fleet-only Voyager counterpart) is actually rather decent. Although Chrysler’s future is uncertain, introducing models that are contemporary in design could increase the lineup’s average value retention rate of 40.2%.
Fiat: 39.5 Percent Retained Value
Fiat’s tiny, quirky cars briefly appeared ready to inject some Italian panache into the compact car market. But that period has passed, and it is now clear that Fiats are less attractive than they once were. The 500X subcompact crossover is the only vehicle currently offered by the brand. Its cute design and standard AWD can’t make up for its sloppy driving manners and shoddy construction. Fiat’s abysmal 39.5 percent retention rate is the weakest among major brands because the 500X symbolizes the complete lineup.
How is the Kia’s resale value?
Fortunately, there are a number of trustworthy internet calculators and tools that can be very useful in figuring out the market value of your car.
With the exception of the Soul, Kias are generally considered to have a mediocre resale value, according to Car Edge. According to their advice, a 2020 Kia retains an average of 71% of its original value now, making it the best model year for depreciation at the moment.
In contrast, a Kia bought in 2016 will still be worth little less than 50% of what it was when it was new.
In addition to the model year, keep in mind that your Kia’s mileage and general condition can also have a significant impact on its resale value.
Which car has the best value retention?
Top 10 Cars with the Best Resale Value
- Silverado by Chevrolet.
- WRX Subaru.
- Canyon GM.
- Nissan 4Runner.
- Chevy Sierra.
- Tacoma by Toyota.
- Subaru Ridgeline.
- Tundra by Toyota.
Do Kias have many issues?
bulletins for numerous vehicles that have had engine issues. among the most
Owners and tenants frequently report the following Kia engine issues:
- power loss or stalling
- A knocking noise
- Seizing
- Overheating
- Leaks
- Non-collision flames
- Unpredictable engine failure [1]
How durable are Kias?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has improved its fleet, and the brand is now known for its exceptional reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
Kias are they as good as Toyotas?
With both Toyota and Kia, exceptional dependability is the name of the game. According to a J.D. Power research from 2019, Kia has the highest initial quality in the non-premium segment in the United States. The 2016 Kia Soul, 2016 Toyota Corolla, Prius, and Prius V were all rated as being among the most dependable vehicles on the road by J.D. Power.
Which is superior, Toyota or Kia?
- The Kia Optima is more affordable than the Toyota competitor while also offering a superior basic warranty and roadside support program.
- When it comes to efficiency, the Kia Optima outperforms the Toyota Camry thanks to its availability as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
- Inside, the Kia Optima provides more room for the five passengers as well as more trunk capacity than the Toyota Camry.
- Thanks to the UVO Infotainment System, the Kia Optima surpasses the Toyota Camry in terms of technology.
- Both the Kia Optima and Toyota Camry receive five-star overall crash test safety ratings in terms of safety.
Styling and Presence
Hyundai and Kia have extremely comparable vehicle lineups. Though it’s important to note that Hyundai has established a luxury branch named Genesis that largely addresses those gaps, Kia does provide a few vehicles that Hyundai doesn’t. Hyundai’s aesthetic is generally much more restrained and understated, with slender curves and unobtrusive round forms making up the majority of the design elements. However, compared to their Hyundai cousins, Kia vehicles have sportier style that gives them a more aggressive and dynamic appearance. In a similar vein, compared to the Hyundai model, Kia SUV vehicles have a more robust, off-road oriented look. In general, Hyundai automobiles are more likely to blend in with the crowd, but Kia styling is more angular and futuristic, designed to grab attention and make a statement.
Performance and Handling
Although Hyundai and Kia share platforms and drivetrains, we already established that each company maintains its own independent engineering divisions. This is significant because it enables individual ride and handling characteristics to be tuned for each brand of car. It’s risky to generalize given the large range of vehicles available, including hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and vans. In contrast, a comparable Hyundai vehicle is probably going to prioritize a smoother, but disconnected-feeling ride, whilst you will probably find that Kia vehicles provide more dynamic, engaging handling qualities. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in our opinion, Kia automobiles’ special chassis tuning significantly increases fun.
Price and Value
Kia automobiles are typically less priced than their Hyundai counterparts. The comparable Hyundai Elantra starts at $19,850, while the Kia Forte starts at $17,890. Although the Forte is less priced, Kia didn’t scrimp on quality or features. Like Hyundai, Kia provides one of the best warranties in the industry, which is ten years and 100,000 miles. Both companies offer quality that is unmatched in the industry and stand behind their products. In the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study*, Kia placed third for 2021, ahead of brands like Toyota, Chevrolet, and even Mercedes-Benz. Even Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, ended behind Kia. Only Porsche and Lexus were ranked higher among mass market brands in terms of quality than Kia. At the top of that list, Kia is, in our opinion, in good company. It’s also important to note that J.D. Power named the Kia Optima, Sorento, and Sportage as the top models in each of their respective classes.
The Kia Advantage
In conclusion, Kia cars offer greater value and better quality, with bolder style and a more dynamic driving experience, even though Kia and Hyundai offer comparable vehicles. Simply put, no matter what you value most in a car, Kia automobiles are better overall. Of course, it is ultimately up to you to decide. We recognize that purchasing a new car is a significant investment. We advise you to test drive both brands since we are certain that you will ultimately decide on a Kia. Any way you look at it, it’s unquestionably the better option. Please forgive me, Hyundai.