Best Cars to Buy in 2026 Based on Total Ownership Cost
Discover the most cost-effective vehicles to own in 2026. We analyze purchase price, depreciation, fuel, insurance, and maintenance to find the true best values.
Looking for the best car to buy in 2026? Forget about just the sticker price—the real winners are vehicles that cost the least to own over 5 years. We've crunched the numbers on depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and more to find the true best values.
How We Ranked the Best Cars
We analyzed total 5-year ownership cost including:
- Purchase price (or lease cost)
- Depreciation (the biggest expense for most cars)
- Fuel costs (based on average driving)
- Insurance premiums (real-world data)
- Maintenance and repairs (scheduled + expected)
- Financing costs (at current rates)
Best Overall: Toyota Corolla
5-Year Ownership Cost: ~$32,000The Corolla continues its reign as the total cost champion. Here's why:
- Purchase: $23,000 - $28,000
- Depreciation: Retains 55%+ value after 5 years
- Fuel: 32-40 MPG depending on model
- Maintenance: Among the lowest in any class
- Insurance: Below-average premiums
- Reliability: Legendary Toyota dependability
The Corolla isn't exciting, but it's incredibly smart financially. Hybrid models push fuel efficiency even higher.
Best Compact SUV: Mazda CX-5
5-Year Ownership Cost: ~$38,000The CX-5 offers near-luxury feel at mainstream prices:
- Purchase: $28,000 - $40,000
- Depreciation: Strong resale value
- Fuel: 25-28 MPG (good for class)
- Maintenance: Affordable servicing
- Insurance: Competitive rates
- Bonus: Upscale interior, excellent driving dynamics
Best Midsize Sedan: Honda Accord
5-Year Ownership Cost: ~$36,000The Accord balances space, efficiency, and reliability:
- Purchase: $28,000 - $39,000
- Depreciation: Honda's strong resale reputation
- Fuel: Up to 44 MPG (hybrid)
- Maintenance: Straightforward and affordable
- Insurance: Average for class
- Bonus: Spacious interior, available hybrid
Best Full-Size Truck: Toyota Tacoma
5-Year Ownership Cost: ~$42,000Trucks depreciate less than you'd think—especially Tacomas:
- Purchase: $30,000 - $50,000
- Depreciation: Industry-leading retention (65%+)
- Fuel: 19-24 MPG
- Maintenance: Robust and predictable
- Insurance: Higher than cars, lower than competitors
- Bonus: Exceptional resale makes short-term ownership viable
Best Electric Vehicle: Tesla Model 3
5-Year Ownership Cost: ~$40,000EVs have arrived as ownership cost leaders:
- Purchase: $40,000 - $55,000 (after tax credits)
- Depreciation: Improving as market matures
- Fuel: ~$500/year in electricity vs ~$2,000 in gas
- Maintenance: Minimal (no oil changes, less brake wear)
- Insurance: Higher than average
- Bonus: OTA updates, Supercharger network
Use our Gas vs Electric Calculator to see if an EV makes sense for you.
Best Hybrid: Toyota Prius
5-Year Ownership Cost: ~$31,000Still the efficiency king after all these years:
- Purchase: $28,000 - $35,000
- Depreciation: Excellent resale
- Fuel: 52-57 MPG (incredible)
- Maintenance: Toyota reliability
- Insurance: Low due to safety record
- Bonus: Redesigned for 2024 with much better looks
Best Luxury Value: Lexus ES
5-Year Ownership Cost: ~$48,000If you want luxury, Lexus offers the best total cost:
- Purchase: $42,000 - $55,000
- Depreciation: Better than German competitors
- Fuel: 25-44 MPG (hybrid available)
- Maintenance: Toyota-based reliability
- Insurance: Lower than BMW/Mercedes equivalents
- Bonus: Exceptional comfort and build quality
The Hidden Costs Winners Avoid
Low Depreciation Cars
Vehicles that hold value best over 5 years:
Lowest Maintenance Costs
Brands with lowest 5-year maintenance costs:
Best Fuel Efficiency
Money saved over 5 years vs average car:
Cars to Avoid (High Ownership Costs)
Some vehicles cost significantly more to own:
Luxury Cars with High Depreciation
- BMW 7 Series (loses 60%+ in 5 years)
- Mercedes S-Class
- Maserati Ghibli
High Maintenance Costs
- Land Rover Range Rover
- Jaguar F-Pace
- BMW X5
Poor Reliability
- Certain Jeep models
- Some Volkswagen variants
- Alfa Romeo Giulia
How to Calculate Your Own Ownership Costs
Use our Total Cost of Ownership Calculator to get personalized estimates for any vehicle. Input your:
- Purchase price
- Expected loan terms
- Annual mileage
- Local fuel prices
- Insurance estimates
The Bottom Line
The cheapest car to own isn't always the cheapest to buy. Japanese brands—particularly Toyota and Honda—consistently offer the lowest total ownership costs due to their combination of reliability, fuel efficiency, and strong resale values.
When shopping, look beyond the monthly payment. A car that costs $3,000 more to buy but $5,000 less to own over 5 years is the smarter financial choice.