The 10 Least Expensive Vehicles to Own (1st - 5th)

1. Toyota Yaris







Average starting MSRP: $12,625
Five-year cost of ownership: $31,785

You can buy a stripped-down Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Accent or Kia Rio for less than the $11,150 starting price of Toyota's tiny Yaris. And the ultra-low-priced Aveo even depreciates less, claiming an average of $8,008 over five years. But the five-year projected cumulative cost of owning and operating a Yaris easily beats its rivals because the subcompact commands so much less in maintenance and repairs. With a parsimonious EPA fuel-economy rating of 34 mpg city/40 mpg highway with a manual transmission, the Yaris also requires noticeably less gas money.

Average starting MSRP: $12,625
Five-year cost of ownership: $31,785

Depreciation: $8,781 (69 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $5,651
Fuel: $6,804
Maintenance and repairs: $2,844
Insurance: $6,684
Taxes and fees: $1,021


2. Honda Fit


Average starting MSRP: $14,910
Five-year cost of ownership: $32,547

Consistent with Honda's reputation for unflagging quality, the Fit costs the least to maintain and repair among these 10 cars with the lowest ownership costs. However, Honda prices the feature-laden Fit somewhat higher than some of its rivals. The base model, at $13,850 before extras, is $2,700 more than the Average starting MSRP of the Toyota Yaris. Add some performance accessories and an automatic transmission, and the Fit Sport starts at nearly $16,000. With a higher sticker price, the Fit claims more depreciation dollars, more interest and opportunity expenses, and higher taxes and fees.

Average starting MSRP: $14,910
Five-year cost of ownership: $32,547

Depreciation: $8,969 (60 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $6,152
Fuel: $7,167
Maintenance and repairs: $2,227
Insurance: $6,869
Taxes and fees: $1,163


3. Toyota Corolla



Average starting MSRP: $15,449
Five-year cost of ownership: $33,053

The fabled Toyota Corolla, introduced in America 39 years ago, remains one of the best car values around. Although its MSRP is relatively high — averaging $15,449 for the six versions Toyota offers — Corolla's high resale value (read: low deprecation rate) helps hold down total ownership costs. The dependable Corolla also repays its owners with low maintenance and repair costs. Its fuel economy is also better than some smaller cars. Wagon derivatives of the sedan, called the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe, cost a bit more than the Corolla, but they also make this least expensive to own list.

Average starting MSRP: $15,449
Five-year cost of ownership: $33,053

Depreciation: $8,855 (57 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $6,132
Fuel: $7,197
Maintenance and repairs: $2,424
Insurance: $7,315
Taxes and fees: $1,130


4. Nissan Versa


Average starting MSRP: $13,950
Five-year cost of ownership: $33,275

The versatile Versa is one of a trio of small, thrifty runabouts recently introduced by Japan's three big car companies. And like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, it ranks in the top half of the 10 cars with lowest ownership costs. But with enough interior space to win a midsize classification in the EPA Fuel Economy Guide, the Versa is the roomiest of the three. In fact, among these 10 lowest-cost cars, only the Matrix and Vibe — listed as small station wagons in EPA's guide — provide a larger cabin.

Average starting MSRP: $13,950
Five-year cost of ownership: $33,275

Depreciation: $8,659 (62 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $6,190
Fuel: $7,802
Maintenance and repairs: $2,676
Insurance: $6,830
Taxes and fees: $1,118


5. Chevrolet Aveo


Average starting MSRP: $11,844
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,048

Chevrolet's Aveo has low overall ownership costs simply because its purchase price is low. Sold in hatchback (called the Aveo5) and sedan configurations, the model has the lowest average sticker price among the 10 least expensive to own autos. In fact, at $9,995, the base Aveo5 has the lowest MSRP in America. A low purchase price holds down depreciation and minimizes interest and opportunity costs. But the Aveo stumbles at the pumps and in the shop, earning the highest five-year fuel, maintenance and repair expenses of the group.

Average starting MSRP: $11,844
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,048

Depreciation: $8,008 (68 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $5,754
Fuel: $8,199
Maintenance and repairs: $4,115
Insurance: $7,040
Taxes and fees: $932