IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book has released a list of five new cars that are projected to depreciate by at least 80 percent within five years. The pricing data provider's list is comprised entirely of Hyundai and Kia models, but KBB noted that both brands continue to improve in reputation for quality and both posted sales gains in 2009.
Sean Tucker, contributor to TheCarConnection.com, broke down each of the five offenders and offered alternative models for each.
1. Hyundai Azera: Lost between the redesigned Sonata and luxury-branded Genesis, this Toyota Avalon competitor is “not a bad car,” according to Tucker, but won’t hold its value as well as its newsmaking brethren.
2. Kia Amanti: Priced right for its size, the spacious Amanti has been replaced by the Cadenza crossover for 2011. Tucker said the higher-priced 2010 Ford Taurus is a better buy.
3. Kia Optima: It’s a mid-sized car priced under $20,000, but so is the related Hyundai Sonata and, after incentives, the Ford Fusion.
4. Kia Rio: A planned 2012 redesign for this small car will come too late for Tucker, who recommends the Nissan Versa as an alternative in the under-$12,000 category.
5. Kia Rondo: The Mazda5 outdoes the Rondo “in every way,” according to Tucker, who nonetheless notes that the Rondo’s poor resale outlook is offset by a spacious interior.
The full text of Tucker’s article can be found here.
