Kelley Blue Book
A long-established American vehicle valuation, research, and automotive information brand.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Kelley Blue Book, commonly abbreviated as KBB, is an American automotive information and valuation brand founded in 1926 by Les Kelley. It became known for publishing reference values for automobiles, helping dealers, buyers, sellers, lenders, and other market participants estimate what vehicles were worth in changing market conditions. The name “Blue Book” became associated with vehicle pricing references, while the Kelley name provided the brand’s identity and connection to the company established by its founder. The brand’s original role was closely tied to the used-vehicle trade. Its valuation references helped organize a market in which vehicle condition, mileage, equipment, location, supply, and demand could produce substantial differences between a vehicle’s asking price and its likely transaction value. Over time, KBB developed multiple valuation concepts rather than presenting a single universal price. Its consumer-facing tools have included estimated values for vehicles being bought or sold, trade-in estimates, private-party values, dealer-oriented references, and pricing information for new vehicles. These distinctions are intended to reflect the different circumstances in which a vehicle changes hands. KBB later expanded beyond valuation into automotive research and editorial content. Its website provides information about new and used vehicles, including specifications, features, reviews, comparisons, buying guidance, ownership considerations, and tools for locating or evaluating vehicles. The brand also publishes vehicle awards and rankings, although the exact programs and criteria can change over time. Its digital services connect pricing information with shopping journeys, allowing users to research vehicles and consider purchase or trade-in options in one environment. Kelley Blue Book operates within Cox Automotive, the automotive technology and services division of Cox Enterprises. Its relationship with Cox gives the brand access to a broader automotive ecosystem that includes consumer, dealer, marketplace, software, and data businesses. KBB remains a distinct consumer-facing brand rather than simply a generic name for all Cox Automotive valuation products. The brand’s authority depends on its methodology, data inputs, editorial standards, and the clarity with which it explains the limits of an estimate. A KBB value is not a guaranteed transaction price: actual prices can vary according to vehicle condition, geographic market, inventory, timing, financing, incentives, dealer practices, and negotiation. Nevertheless, the brand is widely recognized in the United States as a starting point for understanding vehicle prices and comparing purchase or ownership options. Its present scope combines valuation, automotive content, shopping tools, and data-supported guidance for consumers and industry users.
History
Kelley Blue Book was established in 1926 by Les Kelley in the United States. Its early identity was built around automotive price references intended for participants in the used-car business. At a time when vehicle prices were not easily standardized and could differ considerably by condition and market, a published reference offered dealers and other professionals a common point of comparison. The Kelley name and the “Blue Book” description became linked with the idea of a structured guide to automobile values. The central problem addressed by the business was not simply determining one price for every vehicle. Automobiles of the same make and model could have different values depending on age, mileage, mechanical and cosmetic condition, optional equipment, location, and whether the transaction involved a dealer, a private seller, or a trade-in. Kelley Blue Book’s valuation work therefore developed around differentiated market perspectives and reference values. These estimates were useful for negotiations, appraisal processes, inventory decisions, and consumer research, while remaining subject to local market conditions and the specifics of an individual vehicle. As automotive retail became more data-driven, KBB broadened its role. In addition to printed and professional valuation references, the brand developed consumer-oriented information about new vehicles and used vehicles. Pricing guidance was combined with specifications, equipment information, reviews, comparisons, buying articles, and other editorial material. This expansion made KBB more than a pricing publication: it became a research destination for people considering a purchase, sale, trade-in, or ownership decision. The transition to digital distribution significantly increased the brand’s reach and allowed valuation information to be integrated with interactive tools. Users could enter vehicle details, compare models, review estimated values, and connect research with shopping or selling options. Digital services also enabled the brand to update information more frequently and present different estimates according to transaction context. Products such as trade-in and cash-offer tools extended the valuation concept into a more direct vehicle-selling experience. Kelley Blue Book is now part of Cox Automotive, the automotive technology and services division of Cox Enterprises. Cox Automotive provides a broader corporate setting for KBB’s consumer information, valuation, marketplace, and dealer-related activities. KBB continues to maintain a recognizable editorial and consumer brand while benefiting from the wider company’s automotive data and industry relationships. Its modern significance comes from the combination of heritage and practical utility. Consumers often use KBB as an initial benchmark when assessing whether a vehicle is fairly priced, what a trade-in might be worth, or which models fit a particular budget. Dealers and other industry participants use valuation and market information in professional contexts. The brand’s estimates are not promises of a final sale price, because real transactions depend on vehicle condition, supply, demand, geography, incentives, financing, inventory, and negotiation. Its role is instead to provide an informed reference point. Across its history, KBB has moved from a printed automotive pricing guide to a broad digital platform covering valuation, vehicle research, editorial advice, awards, and shopping-related services.
- 1926
Kelley Blue Book is founded
[1]Les Kelley establishes the business that becomes Kelley Blue Book, initially serving the need for structured automobile value references.
Expansion from reference book to consumer information brand
[3]The brand broadens from used-vehicle pricing references into new- and used-vehicle research, reviews, specifications, comparisons, and buying guidance.
Integration into Cox Automotive
[1]Kelley Blue Book becomes part of Cox Automotive, linking its consumer valuation and research services with a wider automotive technology and services portfolio.
Products and positioning
A trusted, data-oriented automotive reference and consumer research platform focused on vehicle pricing, valuation, and purchase decisions.
Vehicle valuation
Kelley Blue Book Vehicle Values
KBB’s core valuation service provides estimated reference values for new and used vehicles. Depending on the tool and transaction context, users may see information associated with purchasing, selling, trading in, or privately transferring a vehicle. Estimates are intended as market guidance rather than guaranteed prices and can vary with condition, mileage, equipment, location, timing, and local supply and demand.
Automotive research
New-Car Research and Pricing
This offering helps shoppers research current and recent new vehicles through pricing information, specifications, features, editorial reviews, comparisons, and buying guidance. It gives consumers a framework for comparing models and understanding the difference between manufacturer suggested pricing, market pricing, incentives, and the eventual transaction environment.
Automotive research
Used-Car Research and Pricing
KBB’s used-car resources combine estimated values with model research, vehicle history considerations, reviews, specifications, and shopping guidance. The service is designed to help users assess a used vehicle before buying or selling, while recognizing that mileage, condition, maintenance, accident history, region, and inventory levels can materially affect the value of a particular example.
Vehicle-selling service
KBB Instant Cash Offer
KBB Instant Cash Offer is a vehicle-selling and trade-in service that connects an online vehicle description with an offer process through participating dealers or automotive partners. It extends KBB’s valuation role beyond a general estimate toward a transaction-oriented option. Eligibility, inspection requirements, participating locations, and final offer conditions can vary.
Editorial content
KBB Reviews, Comparisons, and Buying Guides
KBB publishes editorial material covering vehicle reviews, comparisons, model information, ownership considerations, and practical buying advice. These resources complement the numerical valuation tools by helping users evaluate a vehicle’s features, suitability, expected costs, and position relative to competing models.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Mazda MX-5 Miata wins Kelley Blue Book cost-to-own award[4]
The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata won Kelley Blue Book’s Five-Year Cost to Own Award in the sports car segment.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
2020 GMC Yukon recognized for best full-size SUV resale value[5]
The 2020 GMC Yukon received recognition as the full-size SUV with the best resale value in Kelley Blue Book's 2020 Best Resale Value list.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Ford F-150 wins Kelley Blue Book Best Buy award[6]
The 2021 Ford F-150 won Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy award, according to the article, which says it was the truck’s seventh consecutive year receiving the award.
Reported
Dodge wins 2022 KBB Best Styling Brand award[7]
Kelley Blue Book named Dodge the Best Styling Brand for the fourth time in a row at its 2022 Brand Image Awards.
Reported
Hyundai Santa Fe wins Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award[8]
Hyundai announced that the 2022 Santa Fe received Kelley Blue Book’s 2022 Best Buy Award in the 2-Row Midsize SUV segment.
Reported
Subaru models win three Kelley Blue Book cost-to-own awards[9]
Subaru announced that the Ascent, Forester and Outback won their respective categories in Kelley Blue Book's 2021 5-Year Cost to Own Awards.
Reported
Blinker partners with Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book[10]
Denver-based online car-selling startup Blinker partnered with Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book to address rising demand for online used-car buying.
Reported
2020 Mitsubishi Outlander wins Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award[11]
Mitsubishi Motors North America announced that the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander had received the Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award in the three-row Mid-Size SUV category.
Reported
Subaru named Best Brand in 2020 Best Resale Value Awards[12]
Kelley Blue Book announced that Subaru was recognized as Best Brand in its 2020 Best Resale Value Awards and received five model awards in their respective categories.
Reported
2020 Corvette Best Resale Value Award[13]
The 2020 Chevy Corvette received Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Award in the Sports Car category.
Sources14 sources
- 1Kelley Blue Book brand pagecoxautoinc.com
- 2Kelley Blue Book official websitekbb.com
- 3Expansion from reference book to consumer information brandkbb.com
- 4马自达 MX-5 Miata 获凯利蓝皮书拥车成本奖thenewswheel.com
- 52020 款 GMC Yukon 获评大型 SUV 最佳转售价值车型thenewswheel.com
- 6Ford F-150获得Kelley Blue Book最佳购买奖thenewswheel.com
- 7Dodge获得2022年KBB最佳品牌造型奖thenewswheel.com
- 8现代 Santa Fe 获得凯利蓝皮书最佳购车奖prnewswire.com
- 9斯巴鲁车型获得三项凯利蓝皮书拥车成本奖prnewswire.com
- 10Blinker与Autotrader及Kelley Blue Book合作businessden.com
- 112020款三菱欧蓝德荣获凯利蓝皮书五年拥车成本奖prnewswire.com
- 12Subaru获评2020年最佳转售价值奖最佳品牌prnewswire.com
- 132020年科尔维特最佳转售价值奖thenewswheel.com
- 14Subaru Earns Best Resale Value Award From Kelleytheautochannel.com
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