2012 Annual Auto Issue: Most and least expensive cars to own By Consumer Reports
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w212 E550
2012 Annual Auto Issue: Most and least expensive cars to own By Consumer Reports
Most shoppers focus on the purchase price and resultant monthly payments, if financing, when buying a new car. While it may be the most visible cost, the purchase price is really just the beginning. There are many real costs that are not so clear upfront and can vary widely between models and car segments.
To help consumers in making informed purchase decisions, we provide owner-cost information on the model pages, broken down to typical ownership periods. Our owner-cost estimates include six major elements: depreciation, fuel economy, insurance, interest on financing, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. Because depreciation is factored in our estimates, we assume that the vehicle will be traded in at the end of the term. Together, these cost factors provide an estimate of how much a vehicle will likely cost you to own over a given period.
Below, we highlight the most and least expensive cars to own for five years. These vehicles are equipped with typical options and an automatic transmission, except where noted.
Least expensive
Small car
Honda Fit
$26,500
Family sedan
Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
$31,500
Luxury sedan
Hyundai Genesis 4.6
$54,250
Upscale sedan
Buick Regal CXL (non turbo)
$39,250
Sporty car
Mini Cooper (manual)
$28,250
Small SUV
Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.)
$34,500
Midsized SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (4-cyl.)
$38,500
Luxury SUV
BMW X3 xDrive28i
$50,000
Large SUV
Ford Flex SEL
$50,500
Most expensive
Small car
Audi A3 2.0T
$39,250
Family sedan
Mazda6 s Grand Touring (V6)
$44,250
Luxury sedan
BMW 750Li
$106,750
Upscale sedan
Mercedes-Benz C300
$49,750
Sporty car
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (man.)
$70,750
Small SUV
Volkswagen Tiguan SEL
$47,000
Midsized SUV
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (V8)
$61,750
Luxury SUV
Cadillac Escalade (base)
$84,750
Large SUV
Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ (5.3)
$73,750
To help consumers in making informed purchase decisions, we provide owner-cost information on the model pages, broken down to typical ownership periods. Our owner-cost estimates include six major elements: depreciation, fuel economy, insurance, interest on financing, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. Because depreciation is factored in our estimates, we assume that the vehicle will be traded in at the end of the term. Together, these cost factors provide an estimate of how much a vehicle will likely cost you to own over a given period.
Below, we highlight the most and least expensive cars to own for five years. These vehicles are equipped with typical options and an automatic transmission, except where noted.
Least expensive
Small car
Honda Fit
$26,500
Family sedan
Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
$31,500
Luxury sedan
Hyundai Genesis 4.6
$54,250
Upscale sedan
Buick Regal CXL (non turbo)
$39,250
Sporty car
Mini Cooper (manual)
$28,250
Small SUV
Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.)
$34,500
Midsized SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (4-cyl.)
$38,500
Luxury SUV
BMW X3 xDrive28i
$50,000
Large SUV
Ford Flex SEL
$50,500
Most expensive
Small car
Audi A3 2.0T
$39,250
Family sedan
Mazda6 s Grand Touring (V6)
$44,250
Luxury sedan
BMW 750Li
$106,750
Upscale sedan
Mercedes-Benz C300
$49,750
Sporty car
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (man.)
$70,750
Small SUV
Volkswagen Tiguan SEL
$47,000
Midsized SUV
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (V8)
$61,750
Luxury SUV
Cadillac Escalade (base)
$84,750
Large SUV
Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ (5.3)
$73,750
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
The average buyer generally only considers what it costs to buy a car, not what it costs to own a car. I don't know if it's still around but there used to be a publication called the Complete Car Cost Guide that was enlightening. As an example, a Ford Taurus was much cheaper to buy than a Toyota Camry yet the Camry was much cheaper to own over the first five years.
Obviously, there was no comparison between the two.
Obviously, there was no comparison between the two.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Almost meaningless. I purchase the CR annual auto issue (April each year) because it is interesting and informative. However, I take it with several grains of sale.
No way a hybrid of any kind can be cheaper to operate over five year period. The long term maintenance of dual systems, battery replacement, etc. have not been fully determined. Also, the purchase price CR uses probably presumes huge rebate from federal government.
Regardless, any of the "luxury" brands are going to be higher costs than the standard brands, especially Europeans ones due to high service costs and higher need for replacing components as cars age. If cost to own is an issue, best bet is an Asian car. European cars would come in after American cars.
Most disturbing thing in this year's issue is that E Class has dropped from above average in reliability to average.
BTW, one factor that is unique to South Carolina is that vehicle sales tax is $300 regardless of cost. 6% on difference between sales price and trade in value, but capped at $300. Tax on a $5,000 used car with no T/I is $300; tax on a $10 million jet is $300; tax on a $100,000 M-B is $300.
If you purchase out of state, you pay SC taxes when you register it, but no taxes in state where you purchased it.
But, there are city, county and school district property taxes on vehicles on SC.
No way a hybrid of any kind can be cheaper to operate over five year period. The long term maintenance of dual systems, battery replacement, etc. have not been fully determined. Also, the purchase price CR uses probably presumes huge rebate from federal government.
Regardless, any of the "luxury" brands are going to be higher costs than the standard brands, especially Europeans ones due to high service costs and higher need for replacing components as cars age. If cost to own is an issue, best bet is an Asian car. European cars would come in after American cars.
Most disturbing thing in this year's issue is that E Class has dropped from above average in reliability to average.
BTW, one factor that is unique to South Carolina is that vehicle sales tax is $300 regardless of cost. 6% on difference between sales price and trade in value, but capped at $300. Tax on a $5,000 used car with no T/I is $300; tax on a $10 million jet is $300; tax on a $100,000 M-B is $300.
If you purchase out of state, you pay SC taxes when you register it, but no taxes in state where you purchased it.
But, there are city, county and school district property taxes on vehicles on SC.
