The Least Expensive Cars to Own
Just because a vehicle has a low price doesn't mean it will cost you less than a higher-priced vehicle. Factors such as depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance and repair end up costing buyers way more than the actual price of a vehicle.
Over a five-year period, if you can keep your ownership costs below $30,000, you're in the top 5% when it comes to saving money.
Kelley Blue Book just released a list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles that will cost you around $30,000 or less over a five-year period. Note that these are all base models with no additional options included.
Vehicle | Fuel Economy | Pricing | Cost to Own | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Make | Model | Trim | City | Comb | Hwy | MSRP | Average Paid | 5-Year Cost |
Nissan | Versa | Sedan 4D | 30 | 33 | 38 | $11,770 | $11,093 | $25,818 |
Hyundai | Accent | GLS Sedan 4D | 30 | 33 | 40 | $13,320 | $12,657 | $27,743 |
Kia | Soul | Sport Wagon 4D | 29 | 32 | 36 | $14,650 | $14,111 | $28,131 |
Toyota | Yaris | Hatchback 2D | 30 | 33 | 38 | $14,875 | $14,009 | $28,167 |
Mazda | MAZDA2 | Sport Hatchback 4D | 29 | 32 | 35 | $15,325 | $15,153 | $28,457 |
Ford | Fiesta | Sedan 4D | 29 | 33 | 40 | $13,995 | $13,488 | $28,639 |
Honda | Fit | Hatchback 4D | 28 | 31 | 35 | $15,945 | $15,441 | $29,370 |
Hyundai | Elantra | GLS Sedan 4D | 29 | 33 | 40 | $16,120 | $15,519 | $29,498 |
Kia | Rio | Hatchback 4D | 30 | 33 | 40 | $14,150 | $13,513 | $29,862 |
Scion | xD | Hatchback 4D | 27 | 29 | 33 | $16,075 | $15,689 | $29,913 |
Honda | Civic | DX Coupe 2D | 28 | 32 | 39 | $16,375 | $15,386 | $29,928 |
Honda | Insight | Hatchback 4D | 41 | 42 | 44 | $19,120 | $18,382 | $30,647 |
Mazda | MAZDA3 | SV Sedan 4D | 27 | 31 | 39 | $15,995 | $14,789 | $30,784 |
Toyota | Corolla | Sedan 4D | 27 | 30 | 34 | $16,890 | $15,877 | $30,807 |
Volkswagen | Jetta | Sedan 4D | 24 | 27 | 32 | $16,135 | $15,167 | $30,868 |

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- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
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