Hyundai Tucson Earns A Spot on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com 2012 Best Resale Value Award Top Ten List

COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai's stylish and fuel efficient 2012 Tucson CUV secured a spot on Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com Best Resale Value Award Top 10 list. Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new and used vehicle information, announced the vehicles expected to best retain their value over the next five years.

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"Hyundai's year-over-year gain in average residual value of 4.5 percentage points was one of the best in the industry," said Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting for Kelley Blue Book.  "Throughout the last 18 months, Hyundai introduced redesigns that amazed and delighted the industry and car buyers.  Among this year's top 10 model winners, the Hyundai Tucson is holding its value exceedingly well, gaining more than 10 percentage points from last year with a 60-month residual value of 45.3 percent.  With Hyundai's improvements in styling and performance that result in more consumers shopping Hyundai vehicles, this brand is clearly one to watch."  

Kelley Blue Book's annual Best Resale Value Awards recognize current and forthcoming vehicles for their projected retained value throughout the initial five-year ownership period.  Since depreciation (or loss of value) is typically a car buyer's primary expense during ownership, these awards are designed to help consumers make more informed car-buying decisions.

"Tucson does an excellent job of artfully combining state-of-the-art safety features, design and affordability, allowing it to retain a high value throughout the course of ownership," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Hyundai is proud to offer its Trade-In Value Guarantee as part of Hyundai Assurance and this program is made possible due to the strength of Hyundai vehicles' residual values, like the Tucson."

The Trade-In Value Guarantee is the newest addition to the Hyundai Assurance suite of programs. It eliminates concern about depreciation by giving Hyundai owners a guaranteed value for their vehicle in months 24 through 48 of ownership.

The 2012 Tucson is one of the smartest compact crossover choices available, delivering better fuel economy and range for consumers needing the utility of a CUV without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The Tucson improved fuel efficiency of up to an estimated 32 miles per gallon on the highway can be attributed to a new Active ECO System, low rolling resistance silica tires, high efficiency air conditioning and a larger capacity fuel tank. The Tucson also features safety technologies as standard equipment such as Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Hillstart Assist.

For the entire awards lists, visit the Best Resale Value Awards story at kbb.com.

KELLEY BLUE BOOK (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies.  Kbb.com provides consumer pricing and information on minivans, pickup-trucks, cars, hybrids and SUVs.  Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance and the Hyundai Trade-in Value Guarantee. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2011 Hyundai Motor America.

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America