Advertisement

Cheapest Cars to Own

On Kiplinger's value scale, the Honda Accord is the clear winner over the Toyota Camry.

MORE AT Kiplinger.COM

So you want to cut the cost of your commute. If you're looking to save money with a gas sipper, don't stop at the sticker price and fuel economy. Other ownership expenses -- from repairs and maintenance to depreciation and insurance -- can push up what you actually spend by hundreds of dollars a year.

We asked Vincentric, an automotive data firm, for a list of vehicles with the lowest five-year ownership costs in four categories. The data include all of the costs listed above, plus taxes and financing. Then we compared those vehicles with ones that did well in Kiplinger's ranking system -- considering performance, safety and value -- to determine the best bang for your buck.

2011 Nissan Sentra
2011 Nissan Sentra