There is a lot to be said about good, cheap, reliable cars. We’re not talking about cheap cars in the traditional sense, like a penalty box on wheels. Long gone are the days when the most basic cars were equipped with manual crank windows, rubber floor mats, and no air conditioning.
Instead, we’re talking about good, cheap cars. Cars that cater to your wants and needs, go about their business, and ask little in return except for oil changes and infrequent maintenance. The list includes small economy cars like the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Versa, and Mitsubishi Mirage, but it also includes a handful of Teslas, a Lexus, and even the sporty Toyota Supra.
To compile this list, we gathered data from CarEdge on the vehicles with the lowest maintenance and repair costs. This data included information like the estimated annual and 10-year costs and the likelihood of needing a major repair. Then we ranked the list by the cheapest average total 10-year maintenance cost to get the top 20 cars.
20. Nissan Altima
- 10-Year Cost: $5,561
- Annual Costs: $196 In Year One, $1,034 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.4%
The mid-size Nissan Altima sedan offers decent performance and a roomy cabin with the automaker’s comfortable Zero Gravity seats. Available in front or all-wheel drive, the Altima can even be equipped with the automaker’s ProPilot Assist highway driving system.
19. Toyota RAV4
- 10-Year Cost: $5,531
- Annual Costs: $201 In Year One, $1,021 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.1%
The RAV4 is Toyota’s popular small crossover SUV. It’s roomy and comfortable with good fuel economy from either the standard gas-only or optional hybrid drivetrain. Available in a variety of trim levels, it has a solid reputation for reliability.
18. Lexus ES 350
- 10-Year Cost: $5,488
- Annual Costs: $217 In Year One, $989 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.1%
The mid-size Lexus ES comes with the lowest maintenance and repair costs of all non-electric luxury cars. While not as fun to drive as some of its competitors, it is a solid choice for people who prioritize comfort and luxury.
17. Nissan Sentra
- 10-Year Cost: $5,441
- Annual Costs: $184 In Year One, $1,022 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.4%
Updated for 2022, the compact Nissan Sentra went from an “also ran” to a contender in the compact car segment. It’s practical and efficient, combining comfort, reliability, and low ownership costs.
16. Toyota C-HR
- 10-Year Cost: $5,425
- Annual Costs: $190 In Year One, $1,101 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.1%
The subcompact Toyota C-HR SUV is distinctively styled and slots in under the RAV4. Unlike many crossover SUVs, it’s strictly a front-wheel drive model, which provides higher fuel economy and lower operating costs.
15. Honda Accord
- 10-Year Cost: $5,412
- Annual Costs: $200 In Year One, $994 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.6%
Newly redesigned, the Honda Accord shares most of the same attributes as the smaller Civic, including a refined driving experience and several models that run the gamut from well-equipped to downright luxurious.
14. Mazda 3
- 10-Year Cost: $5,409
- Annual Costs: $186 In Year One, $1,013 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.2%
With standard all-wheel drive this year, the compact Mazda 3 is now fun to drive in all four seasons, with nimble handling and peppy power. As before, it’s offered in sedan and hatchback versions.
13. Nissan Versa
- 10-Year Cost: $5,331
- Annual Costs: $173 In Year One, $1,011 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.4%
The affordable Nissan Versa sub-compact sedan is a solid choice for those on a tight budget. It’s pleasantly styled, more than adequate for basic needs, and inexpensive to own. All models include automatic emergency braking, making the Versa a decent choice for new drivers.
12. Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- 10-Year Cost: $5,254
- Annual Costs: $175 In Year One, $991 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 16.0%
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is the sedan alternative to the Mirage hatchback. It remains cheap to buy and own, making it a good fit if you'd rather have a traditional trunk instead of a hatch.
11. Honda Civic
- 10-Year Cost: $5,245
- Annual Costs: $183 In Year One, $977 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.6%
Redesigned for 2022, the compact Civic is offered in sedan and hatchback models that run from basic to sporty. It’s extremely refined, serving as the basis for the new Acura Integra, and boasts a well-earned reputation for reliability.
10. Toyota Supra
- 10-year cost: $4,950
- Annual Costs: $220 In Year One, $872 By Year 10
- Chance of needing a major repair: 12.6%
The latest iteration of the Toyota Supra shares most of its parts with the BMW Z4. However, it offers distinctive styling and is surprisingly cheap to maintain, especially for a performance car.
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9. Mitsubishi Mirage
- 10-Year Cost: $4,939
- Annual Costs: $163 In Year One, $933 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 15.1%
The subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is the very definition of basic transportation. Its tiny three-cylinder engine is underpowered, but passible for use around town. Its highlights include good fuel economy and low ownership costs.
8. Tesla Model Y
- 10-Year Cost: $4,732
- Annual Costs: $217 In Year One, $813 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.7%
The Tesla Model Y is the crossover version of the Model 3, capable of going 330 miles on a single charge. Like all Teslas, it offers a healthy dose of performance but with the added versatility of extra room.
7. Tesla Model S
- 10-Year Cost: $4,566
- Annual Costs: $267 In Year One, $708 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 8.6%
The Tesla Model S transformed the electric car industry by offering a stylish, fast, and comfortable vehicle. Thanks to an almost 400-mile range and access to a nearly nationwide network of charging stations, it will go anywhere its ICE-engined rivals can for less money.
6. Toyota Avalon
- 10-Year Cost: $4,407
- Annual Costs: $180 In Year One, $787 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.9%
The now-discontinued Toyota Avalon is the Camry’s larger sibling and uses most of the same mechanical bits, including the V6 engine. It treats occupants to a roomy cabin, a serene ride, and Lexus-like comfort along with low maintenance costs.
5. Toyota Camry
- 10-Year Cost: $4,203
- Annual Costs: $160 In Year One, $766 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.9%
Low operating costs and reliable long-term operation are hallmarks of the mid-size Toyota Camry. It’s one of the few models in its class to still offer a V6 engine as an alternative to the base four-cylinder.
4. Toyota Prius Prime
- 10-Year Cost: $4,098
- Annual Costs: $164 In Year One, $736 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.2%
The PHEV version of the Toyota Prius hybrid bridges the gap between gas-only and full-electric cars. It will run on battery power for the first 25 miles before switching to hybrid mode to return an estimated 54 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
3. Toyota Corolla
- 10-Year Cost: $4,087
- $148 In Year One, $755 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.9%
A perennial favorite among practical car shoppers, the Toyota Corolla may not be especially flashy, but it gets the job done efficiently and reliably.
2. Toyota Prius
- 10-Year Cost: $4,008
- Annual Costs: $155 In Year One, $727 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 11.2%
The Toyota Prius hybrid is one of the most frugal fuel sippers on the market with an EPA-estimated 58 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. It also rewards owners with affordable maintenance and repair costs.
1. Tesla Model 3
- 10-Year Cost: $3,587
- Annual Costs: $169 In Year One, $610 By Year 10
- Chance Of Needing Major Repair: 8.6%
Smaller than the Model S, the Tesla Model 3 offers the lowest overall expected maintenance and expect repair costs of any car on the market today. Most scheduled service visits involve little more than a tire rotation.
FAQs
What Car Brand Is The Cheapest To Maintain?
Toyota and Honda have typically been among the cheapest brands to maintain, but many models by Nissan, Mazda, and Mitsubishi have low repair costs as well. Among premium brands, Lexus and Tesla are at the top of the list, with good reliability scores and a lower cost of ownership than average.
What Car Lasts The Longest?
The Toyota Sequoia and Toyota Land Cruiser have the longest predicted life span, with many vehicles lasting 300,000 miles or more.
How Long Will Most Cars Last?
Most cars will last more than 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, with some vehicles reaching 300,000 miles or more. The average age of a passenger vehicle in the US is about 12 years old. Assuming those vehicles average between 12,000 and 15,000 miles a year, they have between 144,000 and 180,000 miles on them.
Cheapest Cars To Maintain
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota RAV4
- Lexus ES 350
- Nissan Sentra
- Toyota C-HR
- Honda Accord
- Mazda 3
- Nissan Versa
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- Honda Civic
- Toyota Supra
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- Tesla Model Y
- Tesla Model S
- Toyota Avalon
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Prius Prime
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Prius
- Tesla Model 3
