Cheapest Cars to Own
- Image Credit: Toyota
The reality is that you should absolutely factor these costs into you purchasing decision. After all, one car may seem affordable solely based on its sticker price. But taking these long-term costs into account could quickly make it a much more expensive piece of machine that you thought.
Consumer Reports recently released the results of a study that showed the cars that cost the least to own over time, factoring in depreciation, fuel costs, loan interest, insurance premiums, sales tax, and maintenance and repairs. Click through to see the cars that are the cheapest to own in their respective segments, according to testing, and find out which cars can save you money over the long term.
- Image Credit: Toyota
Subcompact Car: Toyota Prius c
Sticker Price: $19,080 - $23,360Invoice Price: $18,127 - $21,746
Fuel Economy: 53 mpg City, 46 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $24,600
The little brother of the Toyota Prius, the Prius c enjoys a very low cost of ownership, given its stellar fuel economy, reliability and low rate of depreciation. It may not be the most exciting car on the market, but it's not going to give you any problems and will take you a long ways on a single tank of gas.
Research the Toyota Prius c
Toyota Prius c Overview
Toyota Prius c Photos & Video
Toyota Prius c Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: Toyota
Compact Car: Toyota Prius
Sticker Price: $24,200 - $30,005
Invoice Price: $22,748 - $27,930
Fuel Economy: 51 mpg City, 48 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $28,200
The Toyota Prius is essentially synonymous with the word "hybrid" these days, outselling every other green car by a huge amount. The Prius is super fuel efficient and versatile, making it a solid option for almost everyone, whether you're single and living alone or have a family. Low fuel economy costs and reliability help keep the cost of Prius ownership low.
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Toyota Prius Overview
Toyota Prius Photos & Video
Toyota Prius Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: Toyota
Midsize Car: Toyota Camry Hybrid
Sticker Price: $26,140 - $28,625Invoice Price: $24,049 - $26,336
Fuel Economy: 43 mpg City, 39 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $31,800
Boasting the room and versatility of a midsize sedan in conjunction with great fuel economy and reliability, it's no surprise that the Toyota Camry Hybrid -- the variation of the best-selling passenger car in America -- doesn't cost much to own.
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Toyota Camry Hybrid Overview
Toyota Camry Hybrid Photos & Video
Toyota Camry Hybrid Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: Toyota
Large Car: Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Sticker Price: $35,555 - $41,400
Invoice Price: $32,000 - $37,260
Fuel Economy: 40 mpg City, 39 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $41,400
Seeing a pattern? Toyota vehicles are apparently the cheapest brand of vehicle to own in general. According to Consumer Reports, the Avalon Hybrid is the least expensive large car to own, due to its low fuel costs and reliability. The Avalon also has a great, quiet interior that can rival some luxury cars.
Research the Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Toyota Avalon Hybrid Overview
Toyota Avalon Hybrid Photos & Video
Toyota Avalon Hybrid Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: Toyota
Luxury Car: Lexus ES 300h
Sticker Price: $39,500Invoice Price: $37,000
Fuel Economy: 40 mpg City, 39 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $42,000
The Lexus ES 300h is the hybrid take on the successful Lexus ES 350. Fuel economy is great and deprecation is low, making this luxury hybrid easy to own. Buyers are also rewarded with a great interior that cuts out road and wind noise, even at highway speeds.
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Lexus ES 300h Overview
Lexus ES 300h Photos & Video
Lexus ES 300h Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: Honda
Sporty Car: Honda Civic Si
Sticker Price: $22,790Invoice Price: $21,174
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg City, 31 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $34,800
The Honda Civic Si is a super fun, affordable coupe. It also has the lowest cost of ownership in the sporty car category, according to Consumer Reports. The Si has some faults with its lackluster interior and rather loud ride, but its handling and acceleration is superb. Shoppers looking for an inexpensive thrill should give this a shot.
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Honda Civic Si Overview
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Honda Civic Si Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: Subaru
Small SUV: Subaru XV Crosstrek
MSRP: $21,995 - $24,495Invoice: $20,876 - $23,178
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg City, 30 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $34,200
The XV Crosstrek is an interesting vehicle in that it's kind of a souped up Subaru Impreza. With all-weather capability and very distinctive styling, this new small SUV may fly under the radar for many car shoppers, but we think it's a great choice. Subaru has a great track record for reliability and safety, making its cost of ownership quite low.
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Subaru XV Crosstrek Overview
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Subaru XV Crosstrek Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: Hyundai
Midsize SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Sticker Price: $24,950 - $32,400Invoice Price: $23,964 - $30,706
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg City, 27 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $36,600
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is one of our favorite crossovers on the market right now. It has a great interior, excellent styling and can be had for less than much of its competition. Its utility, safety and cheapness to own make and even stronger case for this vehicle.
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Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Overview
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Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: GM
Large SUV: Chevrolet Traverse
Sticker Price: $30,795 - $43,255
Invoice Price: $29,563 - $40,660
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $51,000
The Chevrolet Traverse is a nice eight-passenger large SUV, well-suited for active families. Cost of ownership in this category is generally quite high, given these big cars burn a lot of gasoline. The Traverse is the least objectionable, with a five-year cost of ownership of $51,000, according to estimates from Consumer Reports.
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Chevrolet Traverse Overview
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- Image Credit: Mini
Compact Luxury SUV: Mini Countryman
Sticker Price: $22,100 - $34,950
Invoice Price: $20,330 - $32,155
Fuel Economy: 28 mpg City, 35 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $37,800
This not-so-mini Mini has the lowest cost of ownership in the compact luxury SUV segment, according to Consumer Repots. The Countryman is fuel efficient, comfortable and a blast to drive, though reliability tends to be an issue for the BMW-owned British brand. Trunk space is also cramped, limiting its versatility as a crossover.
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Mini Countryman Overview
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Mini Countryman Local Dealer Price Quote
- Image Credit: GM
Midsize/Large Luxury SUV: Buick Enclave
Sticker Price: $38,890 - $48,465
Invoice Price: $36,946 - $46,042
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
Cost Over First Five Years: $54,600
The Buick Enclave has the lowest cost of ownership out of all midsize and large luxury SUVs. Fuel efficiency is generally pretty bad in this category, but the seven-passenger Enclave gets a decent 24 mpg on the highway, which helps to keep costs down. This SUV is comfortable, roomy and comes with a very nice interior.
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Buick Enclave Overview
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Buick Enclave Local Dealer Price Quote