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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.

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Brands with the Cheapest 5 Year Ownership Costs

The Least Expensive Brands to Own

Rank Brand 5 Year Cost to Own
1 Mitsubishi $27,175
2 Subaru $28,513
3 FIAT $28,643
4 Mazda $29,155
5 KIA $30,066
6 Hyundai $30,638
7 Honda $31,187
8 Volkswagen $31,509
9 Toyota $33,719
10 MINI $33,838
11 Jeep $36,954
12 Buick $38,228
13 Ford $38,326
14 Chevrolet $39,142
15 Nissan $39,193
16 Chrysler $39,554
17 Acura $41,907
18 Dodge $42,323
19 GMC $45,012
20 RAM $47,266
21 Volvo $50,891
22 Lexus $50,930
23 Cadillac $53,319
24 INFINITI $56,129
25 Tesla $57,369
26 Lincoln $61,531
27 Audi $61,664
28 Jaguar $70,372
29 BMW $70,537
30 Mercedes-Benz $74,514
31 Land Rover $81,568
32 Porsche $89,318

Cars with the Cheapest 5 Year Ownership Costs

The Least Expensive Cars to Own

Rank Model 5 Year Cost to Own
1 Toyota Prius $22,959
2 Honda HR-V $25,322
3 Subaru Crosstrek $25,672
4 Toyota RAV4 $26,095
5 Honda CR-V $26,277
6 Mazda MX-5 Miata $26,803
7 Toyota Camry $26,810
8 Subaru Forester $27,440
9 Subaru Legacy $27,769
10 Honda Accord $27,880
11 Mazda CX-30 $27,909
12 Mazda CX-5 $28,278
13 Hyundai Tucson $28,568
14 Subaru Outback $29,213
15 Nissan Rogue $29,468
16 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross $29,715
17 Chevrolet Trax $29,817
18 Ford Escape $30,173
19 Jeep Renegade $30,195
20 Toyota Avalon Hybrid $30,426
21 Volkswagen Tiguan $30,570
22 KIA Sportage $30,573
23 Jeep Compass $30,654
24 Hyundai Sonata $30,670
25 Toyota Highlander Hybrid $30,803
26 Chevrolet Equinox $31,327
27 Volkswagen Golf GTI $31,756
28 Toyota Highlander $31,828
29 GMC Terrain $31,882
30 Hyundai Veloster $31,957
31 Subaru BRZ $32,009
32 GMC Canyon $32,395
33 Ford Transit Connect $32,528
34 Volkswagen Arteon $33,083
35 Jeep Wrangler $33,278
36 Nissan Frontier $33,375
37 MINI Countryman $33,646
38 Toyota Avalon $33,660
39 Chevrolet Colorado $33,712
40 Mitsubishi Outlander $34,008
41 MINI Clubman $34,030
42 Subaru Ascent $34,046
43 Acura ILX $34,204
44 Ford Ranger $34,311
45 Honda Passport $34,390
46 Honda Insight $34,801
47 Toyota Sienna $34,928
48 Honda Pilot $35,393
49 Chevrolet Camaro $35,430
50 Nissan Murano $35,793
51 KIA Stinger $35,924
52 Honda Odyssey $36,160
53 Honda Ridgeline $36,234
54 Lexus ES 350 $36,293
55 Mazda CX-9 $36,844
56 Toyota Tacoma $36,882
57 GMC Acadia $37,035
58 Jeep Cherokee $37,278
59 Audi Q3 $37,516
60 Ford Mustang $37,532
61 Volkswagen Atlas $37,838
62 KIA Sorento $38,012
63 Ford Edge $38,198
64 Nissan Pathfinder $38,345
65 Chrysler 300 $38,371
66 Chrysler Voyager $38,473
67 Buick Envision $39,395
68 Chevrolet Blazer $39,447
69 Hyundai Santa Fe $39,592
70 Audi A4 $39,770
71 Nissan 370Z $40,784
72 Dodge Charger $40,808
73 BMW X1 $40,906
74 Lexus ES 300h $41,372
75 Acura TLX $41,466
76 KIA Telluride $41,597
77 Chevrolet Traverse $41,697
78 Chrysler Pacifica $41,817
79 Acura RDX $42,063
80 Nissan Maxima $42,114
81 Audi A3 $42,183
82 Mercedes-Benz A-Class $42,876
83 Lexus NX 300 $42,990
84 Hyundai Palisade $43,014
85 Ford Explorer $43,220
86 BMW 2 Series $43,320
87 Volvo S60 $43,628
88 BMW X2 $45,340
89 Volvo XC40 $45,898
90 Cadillac XT4 $45,929
91 Lincoln Corsair $46,672
92 BMW 3 Series $46,735
93 INFINITI QX50 $47,575
94 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class $47,622
95 INFINITI Q50 $52,139