Automobiles With Slow Depreciation

AutoGists brings you the top 5 Slowest Depreciating Automobiles you can think of in 2015.

1. 2015 Land Rover Range Rover

The Range Rover is Land Rover's most prestigious offering, a luxury sport utility vehicle with a long history of quality craftsmanship and legendary "go anywhere" off-road prowess. 

For 2014, Range Rover comes in two lengths.

The big Range Rover sits at the pinnacle of the Land Rover tree, flaunting a level of luxury and performance, on-road and off, that make the large SUV stand squarely above the rest. It's larger, more luxurious and more expensive than the Range Rover Sport, and it has a different, more poised character.

The 510-horsepower supercharged V8 remains in upper models, incorporating a Stop/Start feature. Signature LED headlights are standard on all 2014 Range Rover models. Options have been revised for 2014, with prices reduced for adaptive cruise control with queue assist, and intelligent emergency braking. New standard features for the top-level Autobiography edition include an active rear locking differential and a 29-speaker, 1700-watt Meridian audio system with 3D Surround Sound.

A Lane Departure Warning system is newly optional. Two new enhanced parking aids for 2014 can augment the already-available Parallel Park feature: Parking Exit, to help the driver exist parallel-parking spaces; and Perpendicular Park, which can automatically position the vehicle centrally in a parking space.

Inside the new ultra-luxury Autobiography Black SUV, offered only in long-wheelbase form, are distinct leather and veneers. The rear compartment includes reclining, extending and massage-equipped seats, augmented by custom-crafted comfort and work amenities for the two occupants.

With either engine, performance beats that of the prior Range Rover generation due to the incredible amount of weight shed. That weight loss, coupled with the 8-speed transmission, increases fuel efficiency over the earlier model, as well as drastically improving on road dynamics.

Off-road, the Range Rover is still the benchmark. It handles seemingly impossible obstacles with ease, leaving the driver to bask in the comfort of a luxury SUV. Land Rover's Terrain Response 2 system undoubtedly aids in improved off-roading, too. In all models, the air suspension incorporates Adaptive Dynamics damping.The Range Rover delivers an incredible breadth of capability along with immense luxury, beautiful design, and agility on normal roads that doesn't feel like a compromise.

Most notable of the changes for the 2014 Range Rover is a switch in the base engine: from a 375-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 to a supercharged 3.0-liter V6. Generating 340 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 332 pound-feet of torque at 3500-5500 rpm, the new V6 teams with an 8-speed automatic transmission. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17/23 mpg City/Highway, versus only 14/20 mpg for the previous V8. Helping to boost fuel efficiency is new Intelligent Stop/Start Technology.

2. Subaru Imprenza

The Subaru Impreza is dashing and stylish and inexpensive to operate. Its rigid structure, low-mounted boxer four-cylinder engine and on-demand all-wheel drive follow faithfully in the Subaru tradition. Indeed, this fourth-generation Impreza boasts all-weather capability and premium-brand engineering. Yet it's wrapped in well-styled good looks and features frugal fuel economy.

All Imprezas are powered by a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers a 36 mpg Highway/27 mpg City on the EPA cycle, making the Impreza the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car in America. In fact, Impreza rivals some of the best front-wheel-drive compacts for fuel efficiency. Impreza comes in four- and five-door models, the latter offering wagon-like utility and nice proportions.

Changes since this fourth-generation model was launched as a 2012 model have been confined to equipment upgrades. Bluetooth and iPod capability became standard on all models for 2013, and a rear-vision camera was added to the optional navigation system. 2014 Impreza Limited models come with the rearview camera. Infotainment smartphone integration is included with navigation; and all 2014 Imprezas ride more quietly thanks to increased sound insulation.

Additionally, the 2014 Subaru Impreza has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick rating. And the Impreza is designated a Partial-Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) in all 50 states. Subaru has long established itself as a builder of rugged small cars. According to the company, 95 percent of Subarus sold in the past 10 years are still on the road.

In addition, the Impreza delivers efficiency, value and appeal.

3. 2015 Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is the most popular compact pickup in the U.S. market and has been since 2005. Or call it a mid-size, as the Tacoma and its competition are hardly compact anymore; it's still Number One. Along the way the Tacoma has collected its share of awards. Moreover, New Car Test Drive considers the Toyota Tacoma the best pickup in its class and the best for rugged terrain, durability and reliability.

For 2014, the Tacoma adds Toyota's Entune as standard equipment on all four available audio systems. Entune is a media-savvy technology that links with your smart phone and allows you to access its apps through the Tacoma's audio controls. Accordingly, all Tacoma audio systems now come with a 6.1-inch touch screen, where, incidentally, the view from the optional backup camera is now also displayed, rather than in the rear-view mirror as before.

Or choose the top-of-the-line Limited Package, featuring 18-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, chrome grille trim, chrome rear bumper, SofTex-trimmed front sport seats with heat, metallic tone instrument panel trim, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, dual sun visors with mirrors and extenders, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with outside temperature gauge and HomeLink universal transceiver.

The 2014 Toyota Tacoma comes in a wide range of configurations to meet a wide range of needs, ranging from basic work truck with four-cylinder engine and 2WD to a loaded V6 4WD Double Cab Long Bed. The base Tacoma excels at durability and reliability and is among the few regular-cab pickups still available.

Also standard on all models is Toyota's Star Safety System, which includes anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC). An Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto-LSD), which uses brake intervention in place of a mechanical-type limited-slip to help reduce wheel-spin, is standard on all Tacoma models with the exception of those fitted with TRD Off-Road package; those have conventional, mechanical-locking differential.

4. 2015 Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is arguably older than anything beyond pickup trucks, tracing its roots to military duty 70 years ago. Wrangler has been modernized with a contemporary engine, electronics inside and underneath, and the body panels are now artfully curved for stiffness while appearing flat. The current-generation Wrangler was introduced as a 2007 model. The Wrangler remains the most maneuverable and trail-capable vehicle from a showroom, and will go places most owners don't dare drive. Or hike. If you're not used to hanging in your seatbelt like a puppet, you have no idea what one can do.

Still trail-capable but not so maneuverable is the four-door Wrangler Unlimited. There are enough differences between Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited that a mere two- or four-door reference wouldn't do it justice. The delta in wheelbase (the distance from front wheel center to rear) is similar to that between a regular cab and crew cab pickup.

A new limited-production Wrangler Unlimited Dragon Edition joins the lineup for 2014, featuring black and bronze satin-gloss exterior and interior treatments. Jeep has reissued the Freedom Edition as a value-priced model.

Also new, the 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X promises added off-road capability, including a winch-capable bumper and wider rock rails. A newly available Trail Kit features two D-rings, a tow strap, gloves, and storage bag. Parking lamps and turn-signal indicators are now clear rather than amber. Sport models may now be equipped with a Uconnect touchscreen radio with hard-drive storage.

All Wranglers are powered by Chrysler's 24-valve 3.6-liter V6, here rated at 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. There's a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. A Wrangler gets away from a stop with no problem, but falls off the acceleration curve as it runs into aerodynamic resistance at highway speeds.

In the popular two-door Wrangler, there's very little storage space behind the rear seat, so four people with four medium backpacks fills it to overflowing. But the rear seat can be removed, creating a voluminous 61.2 cubic feet of cargo space. That's the setup we like.

Less likely, the rear seat can be removed from the four-door Wrangler Unlimited making 87 cubic feet. But that doesn't make much sense, either. Wrangler Unlimited is best for parties of four. Our recommendation: Remove the rear seats in the two-door Wrangler, leave the rear seats in place in the four-door Unlimited.

Wrangler has little direct competition. A Mercedes G-Class has off-highway ability of an Unlimited, a more luxurious cabin, and costs three times as much. The only factory trail vehicles approaching a Wrangler are the Toyota FJ Cruiser or a Land Rover Defender 90.

5. 2015 Nissan Frontier

The mid-size Nissan Frontier pickup combines versatility with practicality, and is suitable for both work and the trail. It is available in either a rear-wheel (4x2) or four-wheel drive configuration, with two body styles - extended (King) Cab and Crew Cab.

The Frontier is offered in six trim levels: S, SV-I4, SV, Desert Runner, the PRO-4X off-road model and the luxurious SL. Available engines include a 152-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder (S, SV-I4), mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, and a 261-hp 4.0-liter V6 (SV, Desert Runner, PRO-4X and SL), paired with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Trim-dependent standard features include aluminum wheels, fog lamps, side steps, spray-in bedliner, bed extender, manual sliding rear window, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, heated front seats, leather upholstery, satellite radio and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, along with NissanConnect with Navigation + NissanConnect Apps, offering a 5.8-inch touchscreen display, voice recognition, wireless audio streaming, selective internet access and smartphone integration.

The Desert Runner and PRO-4X are exclusively outfitted with Bilstein® off-road shocks and all-terrain tires, while the PRO-4X also features skid plates and a driver-selectable locking rear differential. Safety features consist of four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, six airbags, active anti-whiplash front head restraints, a tire pressure monitor and Nissan's Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) electronic stability control system, including integrated traction control. Rear parking sensors and a rearview camera monitor are also offered.

The Nissan Frontier carries over with minimal changes for 2015. NissanConnect with Navigation + NissanConnect Apps, previously optional, are now standard on PRO-4X models.

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