FROM KELLEY BLUE BOOK.
While initial price is always a prime issue in any new-vehicle purchase decision, the ultimate "best deal" also entails factoring in a number of other significant elements that can have an equally meaningful impact on long-term out-of-pocket expenses. To help bring those big picture details into sharper focus, Kelley Blue Book, the world's most experienced and trusted automotive pricing organization, calculates and integrates data from eight different categories to come up with real-world bottom-line figure that allows for direct comparisons to be made over a five-year period. This year, we've decided to go one step beyond and formally recognize the best-in-class entries with our inaugural Kelley Blue Book 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Awards.
Presented in conjunction with the Chicago Auto Show, the Kelley Blue Book 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Awards honored individual winners in 21 different market segments as well as two overall brand awards. The comprehensive valuation criteria used to determine the most deserving cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans included their fair purchase price (FPP), projected depreciation, financing costs, Insurance costs and state fees as well as the anticipated total cost of fuel, scheduled maintenance and repairs.
Hybrid Car: 2012 Honda Insight | 5-Year Ownership Cost: $32,884
An affordable and attractive entry point to the super-efficient gasoline-electric realm, the Honda Insight shares powertrain elements with the Honda Civic Hybrid and receives aerodynamic revisions for 2012 that further enhance its already stellar EPA ratings. The Insight's lower fair purchase price and subsequent lower depreciation figure helped this five-passenger five-door claim top spot in the Hybrid Car category over its sportier two-seat cousin, the Honda CR- Z.
Hybrid Utility: 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid | 5-Year Ownership Cost: $45,051
http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2012-total-cost-of-ownership-awards/
