Ranking the Least Expensive Cars to Own

Purchasing a vehicle is a big investment. If you are not mindful about it, the ongoing costs can be significant. There are many things that cause vehicles to be costly to own and operate. The big expenses are depreciation, insurance, maintenance and repairs, financing costs, and fuel. We have brought all of those costs together, for over 250 models. You can see which makes and models are inexpensive to own and operate, and which ones are not. The underlying data is available for all 5 cost areas. So dig in, and see what you discover about your vehicle or one that you are considering.

Brands with the Cheapest 5 Year Ownership Costs

The Least Expensive Brands to Own

Rank Brand 5 Year Cost to Own
1 FIAT $37,923
2 Mitsubishi $39,036
3 Mazda $40,708
4 Honda $42,970
5 Hyundai $43,875
6 Subaru $44,025
7 Volkswagen $44,693
8 KIA $44,913
9 Toyota $48,881
10 MINI $49,431
11 Buick $53,618
12 Chevrolet $54,100
13 Jeep $54,171
14 Dodge $54,352
15 Ford $54,499
16 Chrysler $55,621
17 Nissan $56,716
18 Acura $59,705
19 GMC $65,474
20 RAM $69,345
21 Alfa Romeo $69,354
22 Volvo $70,978
23 Lexus $72,945
24 Cadillac $75,445
25 INFINITI $76,653
26 Tesla $76,809
27 Lincoln $77,788
28 Jaguar $84,781
29 Genesis $85,719
30 Audi $89,422
31 BMW $92,495
32 Mercedes-Benz $99,384
33 Land Rover $103,148
34 Porsche $120,279
35 Maserati $136,421
36 Bentley $285,586

Cars with the Cheapest 5 Year Ownership Costs

The Least Expensive Cars to Own

Rank Model 5 Year Cost to Own
1 Toyota RAV4 $36,643
2 Honda Insight $37,093
3 Subaru Crosstrek $37,923
4 Toyota Camry $38,016
5 Honda Accord $38,310
6 Toyota Prius $38,807
7 Hyundai Kona $38,911
8 Subaru Forester $39,466
9 Mazda CX-5 $39,836
10 KIA Niro $39,851
11 Jeep Renegade $40,547
12 Mazda MX-5 Miata $40,586
13 Subaru Legacy $40,657
14 KIA Optima $40,855
15 Hyundai Sonata $40,984
16 Nissan NV200 $41,059
17 Toyota Avalon Hybrid $41,292
18 Nissan Rogue $41,998
19 Toyota Highlander Hybrid $42,148
20 Buick Encore $42,355
21 Honda CR-V $42,544
22 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross $42,940
23 KIA Sportage $43,197
24 Volkswagen Golf GTI $43,342
25 Chevrolet Equinox $43,447
26 Nissan Altima $43,646
27 Ford Escape $43,751
28 Toyota Avalon $44,080
29 Volkswagen Tiguan $44,378
30 Subaru Outback $45,002
31 Hyundai Tucson $45,136
32 GMC Terrain $45,143
33 Jeep Compass $45,608
34 Ford Ranger $46,212
35 Toyota Tacoma $46,247
36 Chevrolet Impala $46,687
37 Acura ILX $46,795
38 KIA Sedona $47,060
39 Hyundai Veloster $47,316
40 MINI Clubman $47,335
41 Toyota Highlander $48,335
42 Dodge Grand Caravan $48,403
43 Jeep Cherokee $48,430
44 GMC Canyon $48,639
45 KIA Cadenza $49,045
46 Subaru BRZ $49,158
47 Ford Transit Connect $49,202
48 Mitsubishi Outlander $49,238
49 KIA Sorento $50,144
50 Honda Odyssey $50,458
51 Chevrolet Colorado $50,739
52 Honda Ridgeline $50,790
53 Nissan Frontier $51,041
54 MINI Countryman $51,527
55 Lexus ES 350 $52,232
56 Tesla Model 3 $52,970
57 Chrysler 300 $53,058
58 Subaru Ascent $53,109
59 Audi Q3 $53,175
60 Hyundai Santa Fe $53,431
61 Subaru WRX $53,473
62 Chrysler Voyager $53,564
63 Chevrolet Blazer $54,183
64 Buick Envision $54,242
65 Chevrolet Traverse $54,323
66 Ford Edge $54,345
67 Nissan Murano $54,644
68 Mercedes-Benz A-Class $55,030
69 Honda Passport $55,500
70 Dodge Charger $55,859
71 Audi A3 $56,152
72 Volkswagen Atlas $56,330
73 Lincoln MKZ $57,297
74 Nissan Pathfinder $57,624
75 BMW X1 $59,127
76 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class $59,539
77 Chevrolet Camaro $59,807
78 Nissan Maxima $59,927
79 Dodge Challenger $60,424
80 Cadillac CT4 $61,150
81 Nissan 370Z $61,387
82 BMW 2 Series $62,221
83 Cadillac XT4 $62,313
84 Tesla Model Y $64,849
85 INFINITI Q50 $68,648