The cheapest cars and EVs to own and operate in 2024
Autoblog ran two articles in succession.
So you get a TWOFER!
It's interesting to compare the two lists.
The cheapest cars to own and operate in 2024
Honda Fit is a winner for fuel costs and insurance premiums, report from Zutobi says
We’ve all been talking about new car prices and how they’ve pushed many potential buyers out of the hunt, but what about the costs after the purchase? After all, the money you plunk down at the dealer is only the beginning, as there are fuel costs, insurance , and more to worry about. Online driver’s ed provider Zutobi recently released a study of the most and least expensive vehicles to operat, and the cheapest models might look foreign to many U.S. motorists.
They’re foreign because they’re small, relatively affordable cars, which seem to have fallen out of favor in our SUV- and truck-crazy car markets. The Honda Fit was the cheapest car to operate, with an annual cost of $5,348. The Hyundai Accent was second at $5,468, and the Honda Civic came third at $5,480. The top 10 cheapest cars to run include:
- Honda Fit (2018): $5,348
- Hyundai Accent: $5,468
- Honda Civic: $5,480
- Mini Cooper Convertible : $5,543
- Toyota Yaris (2020): $5,615
- Toyota RAV4 : $5,618
- Toyota Corolla : $5,627
- Nissan Rogue : $5,654
- Honda CR-V : $5,656
- Subaru Forester : $5,656
While many of the vehicles on that list are among the most reliable models on sale, Zutobi didn’t look at repair costs for its averages. The total cost to run each car is calculated with annual fuel and insurance costs , so while the Toyota RAV4 costs the same to insure as the Honda Fit ($1,440), the RAV4 ’s higher fuel costs knocked it down the list a bit.
Zutobi also calculated the most expensive vehicles to own and operate , and unsurprisingly, there are plenty of large trucks and SUVs. The most expensive model was the Ford F-150 Raptor with the 37-inch tire option, clocking in at $7,681. The GMC Sierra came in at $7,301, and the Toyota 4Runner landed at $6,974.
The cheapest EVs to own and operate in 2024
They don't take gas, but there are still plenty of costs involved
There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding EVs in many peoples’ minds, ranging from where and how they’ll charge to how reliable the vehicles will be in the long term. While it’s true that they don’t have the same routine maintenance needs as gas vehicles, EVs do cost money to run, whether it’s charging, insurance , or tires. Driver’s ed company Zutobi recently ranked EVs on their running cost, and the list-topping models to own and operate may surprise you.
The Nissan Leaf was ranked cheapest to run, with a total cost of $3,626 per year. The Ford Mustang Mach-E tied the Nissan at $3,626, and the Hyundai Kona Electric came third at $3,641. The top 10 list:
- Nissan Leaf: $3,626
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: $3,626
- Hyundai Kona EV: $3,641
- Chevrolet Bolt EUV : $3,654
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: $3,694
- Audi Q4 E-Tron: $3,830
- Tesla Model Y : $4,247
- Tesla Model 3 : $4,432
- Porsche Taycan 4: $4,582
- Tesla Model S : $5,318
It’s important to note that Zutobi did not include factors like reliability and cost to register in its assessment, but insurance and charging costs can be significant. Zutobi said it used the vehicles’ utility kWh rate multiplied by the average miles driven per year to calculate its rankings. Interestingly, the Model S made the list of vehicles with the cheapest replacement parts, while the Model Y and Model 3 made the list of the most expensive.
Zutobi also ranked the most expensive gas vehicles to own , calling the Ford Raptor out as being the worst. The GMC Sierra and Toyota 4Runner followed close behind. Registration can be a significant expense, depending on the state, with North Dakota being the worst at up to $274 to register a car, depending on the weight. Arizona, Hawaii, and Mississippi had the lowest registration rates, as cheap as $12 in some places.
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I'd go for the Spectre...
My last two vehicles have been 4x4 regular cab Toyota Tacoma's.
Best light duty trucks ever invented!
Toyota needs to get their head out of their ass and build another single cab, short wheelbase, full bed 4x4 Tacoma.
That's not what sells in America nowadays. That's a machine for work. Most pick-ups today are status symbols.
My 2013 is the last one they made.
Don't imagine I'll ever sell my 2013 Tacoma.
Like Mary Poppins it is practically perfect in every way.
Then you'd better watch out for James Bond.
Hybrids are orphans?
Good question.
Rationally, hybrids and plug-in hybrids are tweeners - expensive, too. But since most car purchases are irrational, and these products reduce range anxiety... there's a market for them.
This is a timely article as the US is facing an auto insurance disaster with the cost of auto insurance skyrocketing. Florida has the highest auto insurance in the US. Around 20% of drivers in Florida do not have insurance and we are not even number one, Mississippi, Michigan, Tennessee, NM and Washington have higher rate.
Mississippi had the highest uninsured motorist population in 2019 at 29.4%, followed by Michigan (25.5%), Tennessee (23.7%), New Mexico (21.8%), and Washington state (21.7%).
The cost of an auto is a prime portion of what insurance costs, along with repairs etc. If the EV can come in at a price that is on the lower end as those shown in the article it will have a direct saving on their insurance.
The average selling price of a new auto in the US is $48,000 which is 3 times the cost of my first house.LOL
Knowing the operating costs of the car you purchase is vital in today's pricey world of autos. IMO, the price of cars and operating costs are going to be critical for buyers and if the EV can come up with good stats in these are I believe that it will help their sales efforts.
While not the only problem with Florida rates, auto accidents continue to grow faster than per capita or per miles driven. The biggest factors are distracted driving and speed. We are becoming an increasingly stupid nation.
Disparity of speed. Slow drivers cause more wrecks than folk driving a few miles over the speed limit.
Most folk drive the speed limit plus 2 or 3.
Old folk who drive 5 under are dangerous.
So you remain a consistent law breaker?
Story of my life.