In case you missed it, the 2018 Fit, 2018 Accord, and 2018 Odyssey received Residual Value Awards from ALG, which means that all three are predicted to lead their segments in retained value after three…

Honda earns three 2018 ALG Residual Value awards

2018 Honda Fit Sport
The 2018 Honda Fit, showing here in its new Sport trim, has earned an ALG Residual Value Award in its subcompact class. (Photo: Honda)

In case you missed it, the 2018 Fit, 2018 Accord, and 2018 Odyssey received Residual Value Awards from ALG, which means that all three are predicted to lead their segments in retained value after three years of ownership.

Key to retaining value is class leading quality, leading-edge technologies and market acceptance, all descriptors of the three winning Hondas, with the redesigned 2018 Fit adding more style, soft-touch premium surfaces, digital interfaces and available equipment to its subcompact category, while maintaining its class-leading passenger and cargo versatility, allowing it to take top honours in ALG’s “Subcompact Car” category for four consecutive years.

2018 Honda Accord Touring 1.5T
The new 2018 Honda Accord seems to be winning everything lately, so earning ALG’s best in class Residual Value Award only makes sense. (Photo: Honda)

The 2018 Accord’s redesign has even been more comprehensive, and delivers an even more compelling argument for ownership in its mid-size sedan segment. ALG particularly noted above-average technology, safety and driving dynamics, all of which combined to earn it highest marks in ALG’s “Midsize Car” category.

Lastly, the redesigned 2018 Odyssey has addressed the minivan segment with some innovative ideas, including totally unique multi-configurable Magic Slide second-row seats, plus CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies that take the old conversation mirror to new levels, helping it win ALG’s “Minivan” category.

2018 Honda Odyssey
The 2018 Honda Odyssey has some unique innovations that set it apart within the minivan segment. (Photo: Honda)

Annual ALG Residual Value Awards are given to vehicles based on their predicted ability to retain their original price after three years of purchase. Awards are meted out in 26 categories.

2018 Honda Odyssey
Leading-edge technology is a key ingredient to a car’s longevity in the marketplace, and the three Hondas chosen by ALG show a lot of leadership in this respect. (Photo: Honda)

“Strong residual values are the bedrock of successful brands. A vehicle’s ability to retain its value over time is an important consideration for consumers looking to purchase or lease a vehicle,” said Jim Nguyen, president of ALG. “With vehicle leasing at near-record levels and headwinds for used vehicle values on the horizon, consumers can have confidence in their choice of a Residual Value Award winner for their next vehicle.”

ALG award winners are chosen after carefully studying all the competitors in each category, including their historical performance and industry trends. Other deciding factors include model and brand quality, production levels relative to market demand, plus pricing and marketing strategies.

Earning three ALG Residual Value awards puts Honda into rare company amongst mainstream volume brands, with only Subaru and Toyota winning more. Subaru split its earnings amongst cars and crossover SUVs, whereas Toyota received all of its honours within the SUV and truck segments. Honda, on the other hand, was strongest in the car sector.

Audi and Subaru have been named best Mainstream Brand and best Premium Brand respectively in ALG’s 2018 Canadian Residual Value Awards (RVA), an important benchmark used for forecasting future vehicle…

Audi and Subaru earn top honours in 2018 ALG Canadian Residual Value Awards

2018 Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza achieved best residual value in its “Compact” class. (Photo: Subaru)

Audi and Subaru have been named best Mainstream Brand and best Premium Brand respectively in ALG’s 2018 Canadian Residual Value Awards (RVA), an important benchmark used for forecasting future vehicle values by auto industry professions.

Now in its 10th year, ALG’s RVA projects future values of new models from 26 separate market segments, ranging from “Alt-fuel” to “Fullsize Commercial Van” and everything in between. There are many ways to measure value, although within the car industry the difference between the initial price paid for a new vehicle and its resale value after three or four years is a key parameter. ALG uses the average ownership duration of four years to determine mainstream volume brand values and three years for premium brands, with the results showing both Subaru and Audi are tops in their respective sectors.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek earned best resale value in the “Subcompact Utility” category. (Photo: Subaru)

“Depreciation is the single biggest cost of vehicle ownership, and informed consumers understand the importance of resale value when making their purchase decision,” said Eric Lyman, vice president of ALG. “The ALG Residual Value Award is a meaningful achievement in the hyper-competitive automotive landscape. Residual values are a key indicator for the market success of a vehicle, factoring in quality, product execution and brand desirability as primary drivers of ALG’s forecast.”

This is Subaru’s fourth consecutive RVA mainstream brand win, showing an impressive consistency in quality, execution and desirability. This year the brand earned four segment awards, including the Impreza in the “Compact” class, the Crosstrek in the “Subcompact Utility” segment, the Outback in the “Midsize Utility 2nd Row Seating” segment, and the WRX in the “Sportscar” segment.

2018 Subaru Outback
Subaru’s Outback has the highest residual value in the “Midsize Utility 2nd Row Seating” segment. (Photo: Subaru)

Other notable mainstream brands include Toyota that dominated SUV and truck segments with five RVAs including the Tundra achieving its eighth consecutive year topping the “Fullsize Pickup” category, the Tacoma at five RVA “Midsize Pickup” class awards in a row, the Highlander winning the “Midsize Utility 3rd Row Seating” segment, the 4Runner in the “Off-Road Utility” class, and the Sequoia earning top marks in the “Fullsize Utility” category. Honda received three RVA segment awards including the Fit in the “Subcompact” class, Accord in the “Midsize” category, and Odyssey in the “Minivan” segment.

Nissan managed two winners including the Rogue in the “Compact Utility” class and Maxima in the “Fullsize” segment, while the only one-off deserving mention is Kia’s Niro in the “Alt-fuel” category.

2018 Audi A5 Coupe
Audi’s A5 has the best residual value amongst “Premium Midsize” models. (Photo: Audi)

Audi, which has experienced a dramatic upsurge in new vehicle sales in recent years, achieved four category wins including the A5 in the “Premium Midsize” class, A7 in the “Premium Fullsize” segment, Q5 in the “Premium Compact Utility” segment, and Q7 in the “Premium Midsize Utility 3rd Row Seating” category.

“Audi has emerged in recent years as a contender in the luxury space against top European rivals, finding success with new product entries in the utility space and emphasizing innovative technologies that have resonated well with luxury consumers,” stated an ALG press release.

2018 Audi Q5
The new Q5 is rated highest for resale value in the “Premium Compact Utility” segment. (Photo: Audi)

Mercedes also took home four awards, albeit with two in the commercial sector. The winners included the Metris in the “Midsize Commercial” segment and the Sprinter in the “Fullsize Commercial” category, while its CLA Class took home top marks amongst “Premium Compact” models, and the G-Class achieved the highest score in the “Premium Fullsize Utility” segment.

No other premium brand earned multiple RVAs, but notable mentioned include the Maserati Quattroporte in the “Premium Executive” class, the Porsche 718 Boxster in the “Premium Sportscar” segment, and the Land Rover Range Rover Velar in the “Premium Midsize Utility 2nd Row Seating” category.

Once again Land Rover has earned “Best Premium Brand” in the U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards, this 2018 recognition being the fifth of such awards bestowed on the British luxury sport utility brand.…

Land Rover brand and four models earn ALG Residual Value awards

2018 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Land Rover has once again earned “Best Premium Brand” in the ALG Residual Value Awards, while this 2018 Discovery Sport won “Best Premium Compact Utility.” (Photo: Land Rover)

Once again Land Rover has earned “Best Premium Brand” in the U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards, this 2018 recognition being the fifth of such awards bestowed on the British luxury sport utility brand.

ALG is considered an industry benchmark for residual value forecasting and other types of depreciation data, in both the U.S. and Canada. Of note, last year Land Rover earned the same award for the Canadian market by taking home a Residual Value Award in every segment it competed in, 2017 being its third consecutive win. The third-party analytical firm has yet to announce its Canadian results, but Land Rover’s success in the U.S. is newsworthy just the same.

2018 Land Rover Discovery
The new Discovery won ALG’s “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 3rd Row Seating.” (Photo: Land Rover)

As part of its 2018 Best Premium Brand win, Land Rover’s U.S. division was awarded top accolades in four separate categories including “Best Premium Compact Utility” for the Discovery Sport, “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 2nd Row Seating” for the Range Rover Sport, “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 3rd Row Seating” for the new Discovery, and “Best Premium Full-Size Utility” for the full-size Range Rover.

This is the eleventh consecutive year for the ultra-popular Range Rover Sport to take home its award, making it an excellent bet for premium SUV buyers who want to retain as much value as possible in their new vehicle purchase after three years of ownership.

2018 Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport has won “Best Premium Mid-Size Utility 2nd Row Seating” for the 11th time in a row. (Photo: Land Rover)

The annual ALG Residual Value Awards are given to a vehicle based on its predicted ability to retain its original price after three years of purchase. Awards are meted out in 26 categories, while one mainstream volume brand (Subaru for 2018 in the U.S. and 2017 in Canada) and one premium luxury brand get overall awards too.

“Land Rover continues to push the envelope with innovative new products, and design and technology that keeps the brand at the front of the pack in the competitive luxury utility space,” said Jim Nguyen, president of ALG. “Consumers have responded to Land Rover leadership with demand that continues to outpace supply, resulting in top residual values in the premium space.”

ALG award winners are chosen after carefully studying all the competitors in each category, including their historical performance and industry trends. Other deciding factors include model and brand quality, production levels relative to market demand, plus pricing and marketing strategies.