Looking to the Numbers, Acura is the #1 premium bargain brand in the U.S.

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That’s what Kelly Blue Book tells us. With depreciation hitting premium, luxury cars, high-end pickup trucks and SUV’s wouldn’t it be nice to get a higher percentage of your purchase dollar back at trade-in time? Looking to the numbers, when it comes to true-cost of ownership, Acura tops the list.

Certainly, I could have re ran Acura’s headline of late last week, but that wouldn’t be any fun. But then again, it is an effective headline: Premium with a purpose: “Acura The Top-rated 2017 Luxury Brand for 5-Year Cost of Ownership Says Kelley Blue Book.” Impressive!

So how did Acura bounce every other premium player in the U.S., including Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes Benz -- everyone, out of the running? Automotive sales and subsequent wholesales trade-in residual value is a numbers game, dictated by volume of units manufactured, consumer demand, lease returns, and estimated unsold inventory. Acura at this point in time is a relatively low volume premium auto brand. Furthermore, Acura dealers don’t tend to over-discount, push factory incentives, or rental-fleet their excess inventory.

General reliability, non inflated retail pricing, and Acura certified used car programs work to preserve residual value, as does low overall cost of operation, repairs and maintenance. The Acura brand is a 5-year ownership bargain, when it comes to premium, luxury cars, crossovers and SUVs.

According to Acura News

For the second year in a row, Acura has earned the 5-Year Cost to Own Luxury Brand award presented by Kelley Blue Book (https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/5-year-cost-to-own-awards/). The honor highlights vehicles with the lowest projected ownership costs, based on Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own data for new cars in the initial five-year ownership period.

The Acura lineup placed first or second in more than half of the seven total 5-Year Cost to Own factors, which include the upfront cost of the vehicle, depreciation, finance and insurance fees, expected fuel costs, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees.
"This award demonstrates, once again, that the exceptional quality and reliability of Acura products lead the luxury segment," said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager of Acura. Read my latest take on the #1 selling 3-row premium SUV in the U.S..