Cost to Own by Model
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Of the 62 models CarWhere prices out, the cheapest to own over 5 years and 75,000 miles is the Honda Civic at about $24,474, followed by the Toyota Corolla ($26,008) and Hyundai Elantra ($26,233). Totals add depreciation, fuel and national-average insurance.
Cheapest cars to own, ranked
5 years, 75,000 miles, bought new. Insurance is the national average ($6,410) for every model; see insurance cost by state.
| # | Model | Depreciation | Fuel / energy | 5-yr total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honda Civic | $8,903 | $9,161 | $24,474 |
| 2 | Toyota Corolla | $10,437 | $9,161 | $26,008 |
| 3 | Hyundai Elantra | $10,350 | $9,473 | $26,233 |
| 4 | Honda Accord | $10,303 | $9,891 | $26,604 |
| 5 | Toyota Prius | $14,650 | $5,879 | $26,939 |
| 6 | Toyota Camry | $14,289 | $6,771 | $27,470 |
| 7 | Mazda Mazda3 | $10,057 | $11,124 | $27,591 |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | $15,045 | $7,597 | $29,052 |
| 9 | Honda CR-V | $12,512 | $10,562 | $29,484 |
| 10 | Mazda CX-30 | $12,294 | $11,998 | $30,702 |
| 11 | Nissan Altima | $15,010 | $10,753 | $32,173 |
| 12 | Mazda CX-5 | $14,667 | $11,980 | $33,057 |
| 13 | Subaru Crosstrek | $16,493 | $11,360 | $34,263 |
| 14 | Subaru Forester | $17,580 | $11,124 | $35,114 |
| 15 | Ford Escape | $17,918 | $11,124 | $35,452 |
| 16 | Nissan Rogue | $19,393 | $10,048 | $35,851 |
| 17 | Toyota Tacoma | $14,935 | $14,832 | $36,177 |
| 18 | Kia Sportage | $17,891 | $11,980 | $36,281 |
| 19 | Hyundai Tucson | $18,345 | $11,552 | $36,307 |
| 20 | Chevrolet Equinox | $18,359 | $11,758 | $36,527 |
| 21 | Jeep Compass | $19,322 | $11,980 | $37,712 |
| 22 | Kia Sorento | $19,870 | $13,001 | $39,281 |
| 23 | Honda Odyssey | $19,158 | $14,158 | $39,726 |
| 24 | Subaru Outback | $24,216 | $12,978 | $43,604 |
| 25 | Lexus IS | $20,135 | $17,584 | $44,129 |
| 26 | Toyota 4Runner | $23,505 | $14,495 | $44,410 |
| 27 | Hyundai Santa Fe | $24,618 | $13,542 | $44,570 |
| 28 | Ford Bronco | $21,534 | $17,304 | $45,248 |
| 29 | Toyota Highlander | $27,138 | $12,978 | $46,526 |
| 30 | Lexus NX | $24,294 | $16,119 | $46,823 |
| 31 | Audi Q3 | $28,650 | $12,459 | $47,519 |
| 32 | Lexus RX | $25,692 | $15,796 | $47,898 |
| 33 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | $27,786 | $14,158 | $48,354 |
| 34 | Acura RDX | $25,162 | $16,820 | $48,392 |
| 35 | Honda Pilot | $28,570 | $14,832 | $49,812 |
| 36 | Chevrolet Traverse | $29,220 | $14,495 | $50,125 |
| 37 | Hyundai Palisade | $28,206 | $15,574 | $50,190 |
| 38 | Kia Telluride | $29,182 | $14,866 | $50,458 |
| 39 | BMW 3 Series | $31,767 | $13,340 | $51,517 |
| 40 | Ford Explorer | $30,533 | $14,832 | $51,775 |
| 41 | Subaru Ascent | $31,021 | $14,495 | $51,926 |
| 42 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | $32,042 | $13,834 | $52,286 |
| 43 | Toyota Tundra | $29,700 | $16,393 | $52,503 |
| 44 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $30,453 | $18,322 | $55,185 |
| 45 | BMW X3 | $35,833 | $13,834 | $56,077 |
| 46 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | $34,891 | $14,879 | $56,180 |
| 47 | Ford F-150 | $34,363 | $16,393 | $57,166 |
| 48 | Volvo XC60 | $36,092 | $14,879 | $57,381 |
| 49 | Ram 1500 | $32,803 | $18,550 | $57,763 |
| 50 | GMC Sierra 1500 | $34,953 | $19,172 | $60,535 |
| 51 | Audi Q5 | $38,253 | $16,119 | $60,782 |
| 52 | Acura MDX | $36,581 | $18,003 | $60,994 |
| 53 | Chevrolet Tahoe | $42,091 | $20,556 | $69,057 |
| 54 | Mercedes-Benz GLE | $45,689 | $18,421 | $70,520 |
| 55 | Volvo XC90 | $47,967 | $16,469 | $70,846 |
| 56 | Audi Q7 | $46,210 | $18,463 | $71,083 |
| 57 | BMW X5 | $52,382 | $15,474 | $74,266 |
| 58 | Porsche Macan | $49,870 | $19,391 | $75,671 |
| 59 | Land Rover Defender | $48,440 | $21,492 | $76,342 |
| 60 | Land Rover Range Rover Sport | $72,773 | $17,584 | $96,767 |
| 61 | Porsche Cayenne | $78,578 | $21,492 | $106,480 |
| 62 | Land Rover Range Rover | $101,917 | $19,391 | $127,718 |
Without a 5-year depreciation figure (fuel, insurance and maintenance only): Jeep Wrangler, Porsche 911, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model S.
Cost to own by brand
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car to own?
Of the 62 models CarWhere prices out, the cheapest to own over 5 years and 75,000 miles is the Honda Civic at about $24,474, followed by the Toyota Corolla ($26,008) and Hyundai Elantra ($26,233). Totals add depreciation, fuel and national-average insurance.
What is the cheapest car to maintain?
Manufacturers don't publish service prices, so CarWhere doesn't rank maintenance in dollars. What we can compare is the published schedule and any included maintenance: each model page lists the manufacturer's intervals and complimentary maintenance program, if there is one.
Which car costs the most to own?
Of the models here, the Land Rover Range Rover has the highest 5-year total at about $127,718, mostly from depreciation of $101,917.
Which car is cheapest to fuel?
The Tesla Model Y has the lowest 5-year energy cost here, about $3,554 over 75,000 miles at EPA ratings and EIA national prices.
How is cost to own calculated?
5-year total = depreciation (median new price × percent below new at age 5, from CarWhere's used-market study) + fuel (75,000 miles ÷ EPA combined MPG × EIA national price for the week of November 2, 2026) + insurance (NAIC national average expenditure of $1,282 a year × 5). Maintenance and registration are listed but not priced.
Sources and method
- CarWhere car depreciation by model study — CarWhere Research
- Fuel economy data (vehicles.csv) — U.S. EPA / DOE, fueleconomy.gov
- Weekly U.S. retail gasoline and diesel prices — U.S. Energy Information Administration (week of November 2, 2026)
- Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A — U.S. Energy Information Administration (August 2026)
- Auto Insurance Database Report (average expenditure) — NAIC, via CarWhere state study (2023 data)