12 Best Resale Value Cars, 2012

Sticker price: $19,095
Invoice price: $17,903
TrueCar national average price: $18,375
3-year resale value: 63%, 5-year: 45%
City mpg: 26, Hwy: 36

Part of what clinched the Best New Car award in its class for the Focus was its stellar resale values. Good looks, plenty of standard equipment and tons of cargo space in the hatchback don't hurt either.

Sticker price: $22,450
Invoice price: $20,275
TrueCar national average price: $22,332
3-year resale value: 69%, 5-year: 53%
City mpg: 27, Hwy: 35

With a short-SUV-style body reminiscent of a Scion xB or Kia Soul, but with the Mini's characteristically rounded features, the Countryman's introduction last year has helped reinvigorate the brand. The biggest Mini also has the highest resale value of any vehicle in our rankings this year — worth a stunning 69% of the original price after three years.

Sticker price: $25,300
Invoice price: $22,840
TrueCar national average price: $25,217
3-year resale value: 68%, 5-year: 53%
City mpg: 27, Hwy: 35

New for 2012, the Mini Coupe (not to be confused with the long-standing Hardtop model) boasts a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that gets 35 miles per gallon on the highway and among the highest resale values of any vehicle (sliding in just below its sibling, the Mini Countryman).

Sticker price: $31,925
Invoice price: $29,440
TrueCar national average price: $30,782
3-year resale value: 63%, 5-year: 43%
City mpg: 18, Hwy: 28

Although it's one of the littlest Bimmers, the 1-series is no slouch — in value or on the road. Its 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine produces 230 horsepower and manages nearly 30 mpg on the highway.

Sticker price: $63,745
Invoice price: $59,344
TrueCar national average price: $61,806
3-year resale value: 60%, 5-year: 44%
City mpg: 18, Hwy: 28

New for 2012, Audi's A7 shares basic architecture, powertrain and interior styling with the A6, but the A7's hatchback styling has more cargo space — 25 cubic feet — and higher resale values. It rates a Worth a Look nod from Kiplinger's.

Sticker price: $23,105 (base coupe)
Invoice price: $22,040
TrueCar national average price: $20,974
3-year resale value: 63%, 5-year: 46%
City mpg: 19, Hwy: 29

Ford's classic pony car won Best New Car last year with a redesign that added more power (305 horsepower from the 3.7-liter V6 engine) but kept fuel economy a priority. One of its shining achievements is a stellar resale value: It'll be worth 63% of the sticker price after three years.

Sticker price: $30,670
Invoice price: $28,767
TrueCar national average price: $29,259
3-year resale value: 60%, 5-year: 46%
City mpg: 19, Hwy: 24

Kiplinger's Best in Class small crossover for the second year running, the Subaru Forester has sure-footed handling with the brand's standard all-wheel drive, loads of interior space and a speedy yet thrifty turbocharged engine.

Sticker price: $48,375
Invoice price: $44,575
TrueCar national average price: $45,706
3-year resale value: 62%, 5-year: 45%
City mpg: 16, Hwy: 23

With seating for up to seven passengers, German-engineered driving dynamics and high resale values, BMW's X5 has always been appealing. For 2012, more standard features are added: roof rails and a cargo cover for added utility and an iPod/USB connection and Hi-Fi sound system for added enjoyment while driving.

Sticker price: $22,845
Invoice price: $22,261
TrueCar national average price: $22,295
3-year resale value: 61%, 5-year: 46%
City mpg: 17, Hwy: 21

Jeep's classic go-anywhere off-roader stays ahead of the pack on value. It offers the best mileage in its class (outside of hybrid models), with 17 mpg in the city, and tops the resale charts.

Sticker price: $27,110
Invoice price: $25,138
TrueCar national average price: $25,599
3-year resale value: 56%, 5-year: 42%
City mpg: 18, Hwy: 25

Redesigned last year, the Toyota Sienna is the only minivan to offer models with a four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. It seats up to eight passengers and features seven airbags, and its 3.5-liter V6 puts out 265 horses. It narrowly edges out the Honda Odyssey for Best Resale, and it receives a Worth a Look nod.