Subcompact Car: Honda Fit LX
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $27,473
The pert and perky Honda Fit four-door hatchback is the least-costly car in the U.S. to own for 2019, based on data compiled by Kelley Blue Book. That includes depreciation at $9,894, along with $17,579 in operating costs that include fuel, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. That comes out to $0.37 per mile at 15,000 miles driven per year. Other money-savers in this class include the Chevrolet Spark LS ($27,676) and the Nissan Versa S ($28,079).
Compact Car: Volkswagen Jetta 1.4T S
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $28,271
The Volkswagen Jetta sedan is roomy and reasonably entertaining to drive. It also doesn’t cost much more to own than the aforementioned Honda Fit. An owner will lose $11,236 over five years to depreciation and will spend a predicted $17,035 in operating expenses, with a cost-to-own per mile at $0.38. The next cheapest-to own models among compacts are the Kia Soul ($29,355) and the Hyundai Elantra SE ($29,976).
Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car: Toyota Prius Prime Plus
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $28,461
The Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid hatchback is the second-cheapest car to own for 2019, being outpaced on this list by the slightly more affordable, but much smaller, Honda Fit. Its loss of value will come to a predicted $19,032 after five years, with operating costs at $9,429. Its per-mile cost of $0.38 is also among the least costly of the cars presented here. Runners-up include the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid ($28,484) and the non-plug-in Honda Insight EX hybrid ($30,585).
Midsize Car: Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $30,224
The Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is best in class in terms of ownership costs largely because of its frugal fuel economy. That helps offset a loss to depreciation estimated at $21,587 over five years. Ongoing ownership expenses are predicted to be $8,637, with an overall cost at $0.40 per mile. Other frugal midsize rides include the Honda Accord LX ($31,931) and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SE ($32,729).
Electric Vehicle: Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $30,408
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric will exact the least amount of money among all the models on this list to run, with out-of-pocket expenses estimated at $6,780. Depreciation, however, is expected to amount to $23,628 five years down the road. That all works out to $0.41 per mile. The next most-frugal rides among electric vehicles are the Nissan Leaf S ($31,087) and the Kia Soul EV ($33,071).
Sports Car: Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $36,170
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has long been one of the best values among sporty cars, with its lively performance more than making up for its lack of passenger room and cargo space. It holds its value well, with depreciation accounting for $15,750 after five years. Its out-of-pocket expenses amount to $20,420, and will cost an owner $0.48 per mile to drive 15,000 miles each year. Other money-saving sports cars include the Chevrolet Camaro LS ($36,178) and the Subaru BRZ Premium ($37,298).
Entry-Level Luxury Car: Acura ILX
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $36,461
Its far-sportier European rivals may overshadow the Acura ILX in the compact luxury segment, but it beats them all in terms of cheap ownership costs over the long haul. An ILX owner will lose a predicted $15,236 in resale value after five years and will spend $21,225 to keep the car running and insured. That works out to $0.49 per mile. Two Buick models are the next most affordable entry-level luxury cars to own, the Regal Sportback ($39,054) and the LaCrosse ($40,937).
Minivan: Honda Odyssey LX
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $39,617
The Honda Odyssey tops the list of family-minded people movers for its affordable ownership costs. Depreciation exacts just $16,484 over the course of a half-decade, with operating costs at $23,133 during that period. It will set an owner back $0.53 per mile to drive 15,000 annual miles. Other cheap carpoolers include the Ram ProMaster City Wagon ($39,678) and the Ford Transit Connect Passenger XLT ($40,417).
Full-Size Car: Toyota Avalon Hybrid XLE
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $41,490
The Toyota Avalon Hybrid stands out in what is a dwindling market for big cars for its eye-catching styling, comfortable interior, and affordable ownership costs. Depreciation comes to $21,680 over five years, with out-of-pocket expenses at $19,810. Combined it comes to $0.55 per mile. The next cheapest-to-own full-size sedans are the soon-to-be discontinued Chevrolet Impala LS ($42,648) and the Ford Taurus SE ($42,708).
Luxury Car: BMW 530e iPerformance
Five-Year Cost-To-Own: $54,376
The BMW 530e iPerformance is the plug-in hybrid version of the popular midsize luxury/sports sedan, and it should come as no shock that it’s the fuel economy leader in the line. Depreciation is a considerable $38,871 over five years, with operating expenses more affordable at $15,505. Combined that works out to an ongoing cost of $0.73 per mile. The next cheapest-to-own luxury cars, according to Kelley Blue Book, are the Volvo S90 T5 Momentum ($55,722) and the Audi TT ($55,801).
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