Considering the average price for a brand-new vehicle is nearly $50,000, you’ll want to know what you’re getting and how much it’ll really cost you before signing the purchase agreement. The price of the car is only one aspect of car ownership. It’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Car Ownership Expenses Include Maintenance & Repairs
Car ownership expenses also include what it’ll cost to keep it on the road. That means maintenance and repairs — and some cars fare better than others. Based on research from CarEdge, here’s a look at 15 of the cheapest vehicle to maintain.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius hybrid made its way to North America in 2000 with a 1.5-liter gas engine and an electric motor. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a quarter-century since it hit U.S. showrooms. The Prius expanded its lineup to include a plug-in hybrid version with the Prius Plug-in Hybrid in 2012 and later the Prius Prime in 2016. It’s also known for being one of the cheapest cars to maintain over a decade, with a 10-year maintenance cost estimated to be around $4,156, according to CarEdge.
Toyota Prius Prime
The Toyota Prius Prime reached U.S. showrooms in November 2016. The 2024 model year, a five-door hatchback, gets a 10/10 rating from Car and Driver and an 8.1/10 from Edmunds. Its lithium-ion battery is good for up to 44 miles of EV range. CarEdge says the Toyota Prius Prime’s 10-year maintenance cost is $4,208.
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris, offered in subcompact sedan and hatchback varieties, has its roots connected to the Toyota Starlet and Tercel but was introduced as a new model rather than a direct replacement. The Yaris had been available in the U.S. market since 2006, and its last model year in the U.S. was 2020 when it was discontinued. CarEdge reports that the 10-year maintenance cost for a Yaris is approximately $4,027—just slightly less than the Prius.
Toyota Corolla
It’s hard to beat a Toyota Corolla if you want a 4-cylinder commuter car that’s highly dependable, good on gas, and can easily last 300,000 miles to 400,000 miles or more. So, it’s not surprising that it is on this list. The 2024 model year has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. Its 10-year maintenance cost is $4,228.
Toyota Avalon
The first Toyota Avalon was manufactured in Georgetown, Kentucky. It’s a large sedan described as a stretched Camry with more premium features. CarEdge says the vehicle’s 10-year maintenance cost is $4,528.
Honda Fit
The Honda Fit was sold in the U.S. for 14 model years over three generations. In reviewing the 2020 Honda Fit, Edmunds remarks that it has a roomy interior for such a small vehicle. And rear-seat reconfigurability means the car has more cargo capacity than meets the eye. As for the 10-year maintenance expense, CarEdge says it’s $5,106.
Toyota Camry
Are you tired of seeing Toyotas on this list? There’s a reason people flock to Toyota makes and models. If you want the reliability of a Corolla but need more comfort, try a Camry. The 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a mid-size sedan with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and the 5th generation Toyota Hybrid System. It also features a CVT transmission and paddle shifters. The 10-year maintenance cost for the Toyota Camry is $4,455.
Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra is another Toyota vehicle that makes the list. The 2024 Toyota GR Supra is a sports car with a straight-6 engine and an optional 6-speed manual tranny. The 10-year maintenance cost for the brand is $5,107.
Mitsubishi Mirage
RepairPal.com gives the Mitsubishi Mirage a reliability rating of 4.5/5.0, which means the vehicle makes 7th place out of 21 subcompact cars. It adds the odds of a repair being a serious or major issue is 9% for the Mirage versus an average of 11% for subcompact vehicles and 12% for all vehicle modes. The 10-year maintenance cost for a Mitsubishi Mirage is $5,135.
Mitsubishi Mirage G4
The 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage G4, one of the least expensive sedans on the market, didn’t get a great review from Car and Driver. The publication gave it a rating of 3/10. Edmunds, meanwhile, gave it a rating of 5.9/10. So, maybe the 2024 model was an off-year. Regardless, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 makes CarEdge‘s Top 10 list. The 10-year maintenance expense is $5,436.
Nissan Versa
Nissan rolled out the Versa to the U.S. market in June 2006. U.S. News & World Report gives the 2024 Nissan Versa a rating of 8.3/10. On the one hand, it says the car offers good fuel economy, a good cabin for the price, and a long list of features. On the other hand, it criticizes the weak engine and the choppy ride. CarEdge says the 10-year maintenance cost is $5,552.
Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf’s 10-year maintenance cost is $5,556. According to Edmunds, driving the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI is a pleasure because of its “stout engine and sharp handling.” It adds that the car is comfortable and offers ample cargo space.
Honda Insight
According to one source, the Honda Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid car sold in the U.S. It reached an eye-popping 70 miles per U.S. gallon. It arrived in 1999, one year before the Toyota Prius reached U.S. car dealership showrooms. The 2022 Honda Insight gets an 8.5/10 rating from Car and Driver. The 10-year maintenance expense is $5,507.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is one of those vehicles people think about when looking for a reliable commuter car that’s easy on the gas and inexpensive to maintain. It debuted in America for the 1973 model year and remains a favorite among vehicle buyers.
The 2025 Honda Civic, which gets a 10/10 rating from Car and Driver, has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. A Car and Driver reviewer says it offers a great combination of “practicality, value, and driving fun.” The 10-year maintenance expense is $5,621, according to CarEdge.
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf, unveiled in August 2009, is the first mass-market EV. It’s also the only pure EV in the Top 15 of the CarEdge list. The 2025 Nissan Leaf, which gets a 6.5/10 rating from Car and Driver, is reliable. But two downsides are the limited driving range and the sloth-slow charging rate. The 10-year maintenance cost is $5,621.
Do These Cars Make Your Top 15 List?
Depending on the model year, your experience may be better or worse than the CarEdge numbers. But if you’re looking for a used vehicle and don’t want the car to spend as much time in the shop as it does on the road, it makes sense to consider this list before you buy one.
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