Which Cars Are The Most Economical To Own?

Cars.com recently compiled a list of what it has determined to be the most cost-effective vehicles in terms of fuel efficiency, something that can help the auto industry market vehicles that save consumers money at the pump — which can be critically important in times like these. 

The site broke the rankings down by hybrid and gas-only vehicles. 

Topping the list for hybrids was the Toyota Prius, which had an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated fuel economy of 48 miles per gallon in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Cars.com suggested the Prius costs consumers a projected $29,855 in fuel and sticker price over the course of ownership. 

Meanwhile the Smart ForTwo was the most economic gas-only ride, at 33 mpg and 41 mpg for city and highway driving, respectively. Its anticipated fuel and purchase costs were $22,868.

To determine which vehicles cost less to own over the long haul, Cars.com considered the sticker price as well as projected fuel costs during the vehicle's lifetime.

Contrary to popular opinion, Cars.com also suggested that hybrids might not always be the way to go.

"Hybrid cars get a lot of hype when gas prices start to rise, but if your overall goal is to simply save money, there might be better options," commented Cars.com editor in chief Patrick Olsen said. 

"For instance, the most fuel-efficient car on the market is the Toyota Prius hybrid, but over eight years of ownership it will ultimately cost you almost $7,000 more to own than a Smart ForTwo," he explained.

According to officials, to determine lifetime fuel costs, Cars.com assumed that a vehicle is driven 15,000 miles per year with 55 percent city driving and 45 percent on the highway.

Additionally, the costs were based on an average gas price of $3.40 and an eight-year ownership period.

The following are the most economic vehicles for gas-only and hybrids, respectively. Included are fuel efficiency estimates followed by total lifetime cost (combining sticker and fuel costs)

Gas-Only Vehicles

(All have manual transmission)

1. Smart ForTwo (with premium fuel): 33/41; $22,868 

2. Toyota Yaris: 29/36 ; $24,188 

3. Hyundai Accent: 27/32; $24,824 

4. Kia Rio: 27/32; $24,939 

5. Chevrolet Aveo5: 24/34; $24,985 

6. Nissan Versa: 26/31; $27,433 

7. Chevrolet Aveo: 24/34; $26,920 

8. Honda Fit: 28/34; $27,364 

9. Toyota Corolla: 28/37; $27,381 

10. Scion xD: 24/32; $28,425  

Hybrid Vehicles 

1. Toyota Prius: 48/45; $29,855 

2. Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/45; $32,290 

3. Toyota Camry Hybrid: 33/34; $37,400 

4. Nissan Altima Hybrid: 35/33; $37,455 

5. Saturn Aura Green Line: 24/32; $38,728 

09CTSVforMe - 5/20/2008 11:55:38 AM

-1 Boost

My loaded Focus SES sedan (w. auto) is competetive (about $29k) and has alot more features, quality, and performance than those gas-only strippers. It is no wonder Ford is selling so many of 'em.

Disclaimer*** I used our actual purchase price of $16,500, not the MSRP of $19,500 to come up with my figure.

I also wonder what resale value would do to this list after 8 yrs/120,000 miles...heck, I wonder if some of those cars would even MAKE it to 8 yrs/120k miles! lol

0to60 - 5/20/2008 12:01:30 PM

+4 Boost

Geez, the Altima Hybrid is the only thing I would consider

carchick - 5/20/2008 3:34:09 PM

+1 Boost

i completely agree. i find the prius ugly as hell

Agent009 - 5/20/2008 1:12:41 PM

+1 Boost

That hasn't been established just quite yet over here, so that is a big "if".

993Turbo - 5/20/2008 12:45:32 PM

+3 Boost

Very few people own their cars for eight years. I would say four to five is much more the norm. Many people dump their cars after the warranty expires.

Agent009 - 5/20/2008 1:14:03 PM

0 Boost

This is true, so the additional cost of a hybrid in most cases will not be at the break even point for many of them.

kager911 - 5/20/2008 2:37:42 PM

+1 Boost

funny (to me anyways) that none of the hybrids make it into the top 10 of the gas only cars.

EnnNorak - 5/20/2008 10:10:23 PM

+1 Boost

Everyone seems to look at gas consumption instead of life-cycle cost and cost of discomfort.

mbnas55 - 5/22/2008 5:54:58 PM

+1 Boost

I would rather drive my S 63 and not sum little micro toy. It will perform better than these small cars in an accident and not much greater gas consumption. What your life, wife, kids, or grand children worth? Humm. $15 per week in gas. See you on the road.

ChicaneShooter - 5/23/2008 5:59:13 AM

+1 Boost

...

ChicaneShooter - 5/23/2008 6:04:11 AM

+1 Boost

993turbo: "Many people dump their cars after the warranty expires."

EXCEPT for most honda and toyota owners. who can drive their cars 2x to 3x longer before getting the same rate of problems.

and whenever they do trade, they get more of their money back. if depreciation is factored in, the toyota and honda products will top both lists.

silver1 - 6/1/2008 2:44:34 PM

+1 Boost

I just place me an order for a Smart For Two all black Convertible. 1 Year and Half wait! So i should have by January of 2010!!!