- In this report
- Overview
- Ownership costs
- Best new vehicles under $25,000
- Highest scoring American vehicles
- Best & worst fuel economy
- Best city/highway mpg
- Best & worst acceleration
- Best & worst in safety performance
- Best for overall safety
- Highs & lows of testing
- Most overlooked cars
- Most fun to drive
- Best for comfort
- Best off-road
- Best & worst three-row vehicles
- 2009 Annual Auto Issue
This article was featured in the April 2009 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine.
- Featured Reports
- Top Picks 2009
- Who makes the best cars?
- Most reliable used cars
- Best & worst cars
- Best new car values
- New car preview
See All April Issue
Ownership costs
Last reviewed: July 2009
Our owner-cost estimates include six major elements: depreciation, fuel economy, insurance, interest on financing, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. They provide an estimate of how much a vehicle will likely cost you to own over the first five years, a typical ownership period.
Most expensive overall
| Category | Make & model | Cost over first five years |
|---|---|---|
| Small car | Mitsubishi Lancer |
$32,500
|
| Family sedan | Mazda6 (V6) |
42,250
|
| Upscale sedan | BMW 335d |
52,750
|
| Luxury sedan | Mercedes-Benz S550 |
100,500
|
| Sports car | Dodge Viper |
111,750
|
| Hatchback & wagon | Volvo XC70 |
50,750
|
| Minivan | Chrysler Town & Country (4.0L) |
50,000
|
| Small SUV | Volkswagen Tiguan |
45,750
|
| Midsized & large SUV | Hummer H2 |
85,000
|
| Luxury SUV | Porsche Cayenne S |
83,250
|
| Pickup truck | Ford F-250 Turbodiesel |
68,750
|
Least expensive overall
| Category | Make & model | Cost over first five years |
|---|---|---|
| Small car | Honda Fit |
$25,000
|
| Small car | Toyota Yaris |
25,000
|
| Family sedan | Toyota Camry (4-cyl.) |
30,000
|
| Upscale sedan | Acura TSX |
38,750
|
| Luxury sedan | Lincoln Town Car |
54,000
|
| Luxury sedan | Volvo S80 (6-cyl.) |
54,000
|
| Sports car | Mazda MX-5 Miata |
32,750
|
| Hatchback & wagon | Toyota Prius (base) |
26,000
|
| Minivan | Honda Odyssey |
41,750
|
| Small SUV | Subaru Forester 2.5X |
31,500
|
| Midsized & large SUV | Toyota Venza (V6) |
40,250
|
| Luxury SUV | Buick Enclave |
48,500
|
| Pickup truck | Toyota Tacoma (V6) |
38,000
|
Posted: February 2009 — Consumer Reports Magazine issue: April 2009
