The Cheapest Cars to Own Over a 5-Year Period

Cars and Drivers

Published: February 8, 2017 9:05 am

Last Updated: January 12, 2020 3:03 pm

The overall ownership costs of a new car can have a big impact on a consumer’s choice of what to buy. Obviously, a small, fuel-efficient car is less expensive to operate than a massive sport utility vehicle (SUV), but that’s an apples to oranges comparison. Most car buyers know what kind of vehicle they want and need to know how the vehicles in that category stack up against one another.

Researchers at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) released Wednesday morning their picks as the best 2017 model year vehicles based on their five-year cost of ownership. The awards in 20 categories are based on KBB’s data for the initial five-year ownership period.

KBB’s cost of ownership data includes depreciation and fuel costs, the two main contributors to ownership costs. The data also includes finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees.

In addition to rating individual 2017 models, KBB also awarded general awards. Subaru was named the Best Brand and Honda’s Acura was named the Best Luxury Brand.

General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) placed more cars on the list than any of the Detroit Three with seven top picks. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU) had two and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) had one. Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) claimed five top picks, including its Lexus brand. Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) had two, Nissan’s Infiniti brand had two top picks and Subaru had one.

Here are KBB’s top picks, listed by category and manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP):

Subcompact car: Chevrolet Spark; $13,000
Compact car: Toyota Corolla; $18,500
Sporty compact car: Ford Fiesta ST; $21,140
Midsize car: Honda Accord; $22,455
Full-size car: Chevrolet Impala; $27,300
Entry-level luxury car: Buick Verano; $21,065
Luxury car: Lexus GS; $46,310
Sports car: Toyota 86; 26,255
Hybrid/alternative energy car: Toyota Prius; $24,685
Electric vehicle: Toyota Prius Prime; $27,100
Subcompact SUV/crossover: Honda HR-V; $19,465
Compact SUV/crossover: Subaru Crosstek; $21,695
Midsize SUV/crossover: Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; $27,895
Full-size SUV/crossover: Chevrolet Tahoe; $47,215
Luxury compact SUV/crossover: Buick Encore; $22,990
Luxury midsize SUV/crossover: Infiniti QX60; $43,100
Luxury full-size SUV/crossover: Infiniti QX80; $63,850
Midsize pickup: Chevrolet Colorado extended cab; $20,055
Full-size pickup: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 regular cab; $27,585
Minivan: Dodge Grand Caravan; $24,995

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