The 10 Least Expensive Vehicles to Own ( 6th - 10th)

6. Ford Focus




Average starting MSRP: $15,752
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,092

The Focus is the only vehicle in this ranking with a non-Asian origin — the fifth-ranked Aveo comes to Chevrolet via Daewoo of Korea, and the 10th-place Pontiac Vibe is a re-skinned Toyota that hails from Japan. The Focus profits from a low depreciation rate — at 56 percent, it is second lowest in the group, edged out only by that of the Matrix. Ford sells the Focus in three- and five-door hatchback, sedan and wagon versions. Excluding the performance-boosted ZX4 ST sedan, the wagons cost the most to own.

Average starting MSRP: $15,752
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,092

Depreciation: $8,838 (56 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $5,971
Fuel: $8,163
Maintenance and repairs: $2,785
Insurance: $7,288
Taxes and fees: $1,047


7. Toyota Matrix


Average starting MSRP: $16,558
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,778

The Matrix holds its value better than any other model in this group of frugal transporters. With only 55 percent depreciation over five years, it runs with the 10 least expensive to own autos even though its purchase price is higher than all but the 10th-ranked Pontiac Vibe. The Matrix is the station wagon version of the Corolla, and being priced higher than its sedan counterpart, it claims more dollars in depreciation even though its depreciation rate is slightly lower. The higher price also means owners lose more in interest and opportunity costs, taxes and fees.

Average starting MSRP: $16,558
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,778

Depreciation: $9,070 (55 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $6,597
Fuel: $7,861
Maintenance and repairs: $2,517
Insurance: $7,521
Taxes and fees: $1,212


8. Kia Rio














Average starting MSRP: $13,571
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,802

Only six dollars separate the five-year ownership costs of the eighth-place Kia Rio from the ninth-ranked Hyundai Accent. They are the same car, sold by two Korean companies with close corporate ties. Bolder styling differentiates the Rio, and it also comes in a Kia-only five-door hatchback called the Rio5. Both the Accent and Rio depreciate steeply, but the Rio's five-year average depreciation, at 74 percent, is slightly better than the Accent's. The Rio thus demands a few less dollars, even though its sticker price runs a bit higher.

Average starting MSRP: $13,571
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,802

Depreciation: $9,996 (74 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $5,932
Fuel: $7,499
Maintenance and repairs: $2,926
Insurance: $7,404
Taxes and fees: $1,045



9. Hyundai Accent














Average starting MSRP: $12,865
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,808

With an average base MSRP of $12,865, the Accent is less expensive off the lot than the Ford Focus, Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa and Toyota Corolla and Matrix — but those models steal less in ownership costs mostly because they depreciate less than the Accent. In fact, the Accent loses more than three-quarters of its purchase price over five years, giving it the worst depreciation rate on our list. However, despite ranking as a compact car in the EPA Fuel Economy Guide, the Accent affords generous cabin space.

Average starting MSRP: $12,865
Five-year cost of ownership: $34,808

Depreciation: $10,154 (79 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $5,826
Fuel: $7,673
Maintenance and repairs: $2,826
Insurance: $7,315
Taxes and fees: $1,014


10. Pontiac Vibe


Average starting MSRP: $16,760
Five-year cost of ownership: $35,348

Based on the Toyota Corolla and built at a GM/Toyota plant but branded a Pontiac, the Vibe is identical to the Toyota Matrix, except for some cosmetic particulars. Yet its name represents a meaningful difference in cost of ownership; the Vibe drops three spots below the Matrix in five-year total ownership costs simply because the Matrix, being a Toyota, depreciates less. The Vibe loses 59 percent of its average MSRP to depreciation, while the Matrix only depreciates 55 percent.

Average starting MSRP: $16,760
Five-year cost of ownership: $35,348

Depreciation: $19,815 (59 percent)
Interest and opportunity cost: $6,595
Fuel: $7,764
Maintenance and repairs: $2,644
Insurance: $7,315
Taxes and fees: $1,215