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Cost of Ownership by Brand

Cost of ownership by brand in the US—which brands cost more or less to own over 5 years and how to compare.

AutoPremo Team
January 31, 2026
2 min read

Cost of ownership in the U.S. varies by brand—depreciation, maintenance, and insurance differ. Here's how cost of ownership varies by brand and how to compare.

TL;DR Brands like Toyota and Honda often have lower total cost of ownership—strong resale, lower maintenance. Luxury and some European brands often have higher total cost—steeper depreciation and higher repair cost. Compare using total cost of ownership for the exact model. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership.

Cost of Ownership by Brand (General Patterns, US)

  • Toyota, Honda — often lower total cost; strong resale, lower maintenance, moderate insurance.
  • Mainstream (Ford, Chevrolet, Mazda, etc.) — varies by model; compare specific vehicle.
  • Luxury (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc.) — often higher total cost; steeper depreciation, higher maintenance and insurance.
  • EV brands — depreciation and charging cost vary; compare using total cost of ownership. Use autopremo.com.

These are general patterns; specific model and year matter. Use autopremo.com total cost of ownership to compare the exact cars you're considering.

See total cost by model at autopremo.com.

Bottom Line

Cost of ownership varies by brand in the U.S. Compare the exact model and year using total cost of ownership. Use autopremo.com to see total cost by brand and model so you don't overpay over time.

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