Cost Effective Cars

The Cheapest and Most Expensive Cars to Run in the US

There are so many different costs to factor in when you buy a new car. From the price of gas, to insurance and vehicle tax rates in your area. In a landscape where consumer prices fluctuate, particularly in areas like vehicle parts, used car markets, and auto insurance, it becomes crucial to make informed choices. Recent trends indicate a slight easing in US inflation, thanks in part to decreasing gas prices. However, other sectors, notably replacement parts, insurance and related services, have witnessed a persistent uptick in costs.

With Americans spending huge amounts of money every month to run their cars, we wanted to explore which cars were the cheapest to run and the most suitable for first-time drivers. By looking at factors such as the average cost of road tax, fuel, the average cost of parts, a replacement battery, and insurance.

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The Cheapest Cars to Run in the US

1 – Honda Fit (2018) 1.5L Automatic

Total Cost of Insurance and Gas per Year: $5,348

The Honda Fit 2018 model is the cheapest on our list of the USA’s most popular cars to run. It is coupled with the Honda Civic for the lowest fuel price on our list ($0.29 per mile). The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback body style and is considered a subcompact car in the US. The average gas cost per year for the Fit is an estimated $$3,908, and a yearly premium cover of insurance averages at around $1,440.

2 – Hyundai Accent 1.6L Automatic

Total Cost of Insurance and Gas per Year: $5,468

The Hyundai Accent is a subcompact car produced by Hyundai.  The Accent has the cheapest fuel cost on our list ($0.29 per mile), with a total cost for the year of $3,908 based on the average number of miles driven per year (13,476.00). The yearly premium for car insurance for the Accent will cost you around $1,560.

3 – Honda Civic 1.5L Automatic

Total Cost of Insurance and Gas per Year: $5,480

Honda Civic is in third place for the cheapest car to run. Honda has sold nearly 2 million Civics in the U.S. since 2016 and Civic is the No. 1 selling certified pre-owned car in America in each of the past three years. The Civic has a fuel price of $0.29 per mile, and slightly more expensive than the Honda Fit for its insurance cost, at around $1,572 for a year’s premium. The cost of fuel for a year of running a Yaris will cost you around $3,908.

The Most Expensive Cars to Run in the US

1 – Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L Automatic

Total Cost of Insurance and Gas per Year: $7,681

The Ford F-150 ‘Raptor’ model is a nameplate used by Ford Motor Company for its high-performance, and is designated as the highest-performance version of the F-150, Ranger and Bronco. The Raptor costs approximately $5,929 in gas every year, and the yearly cost for car insurance will cost you around $1,752.

2 – GMC Sierra 5.3L Automatic

Total Cost of Insurance and Gas per Year: $7,301

The 2022 GMC Sierra is a light-duty pickup truck with a host of upgrades for 2022, including an upgraded interior with more comfort and higher-quality materials. The Sierra has an EcoTec V8 Engine, making it one of the more expensive vehicles to fill up a tank of gas. You can expect to pay $5,525 in gas, and the yearly cost for insurance will be around $1,776.

3 – Toyota 4Runner 4.0L Automatic

Total Cost of Insurance and Gas per Year: $6,974

The Toyota 4Runner falls slightly below the GMC Sierra for its running costs. The 4Runner is an SUV manufactured by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota, and has been marketed globally since 1984, across five generations. For the 4Runner, you can expect to pay $5,390 per year on gas, and around $1,584 a year on insurance.

The Cheapest EV Cars to Run in the US

Electric vehicle cars have allowed drivers to go greener by reducing emissions and noise pollution across the world. As well as helping the planet, EVs have been proven to have lower running costs and provide an overall better driving experience. Here are the cheapest EVs to run in the US:

1 – Nissan Leaf (40 kW-hr battery pack)

Total Cost of Insurance and Fuel per Year: $3,626

The Nissan Leaf is a compact five-door hatchback battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufactured by Nissan. The 100% electric family car has a range of up to 239 miles and fast charging, designed to help stretch miles and the battery. The Leaf offers smooth acceleration that only electric cars can achieve.

2 – Ford Mustang Mach E (2,75 mi/kWh)

Total Cost of Insurance and Fuel per Year: $3,626

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a battery-electric compact crossover SUV. The Mustang Mach-E marks Ford’s foray into the growing electric vehicle market, offering a blend of performance, range, and technological features, all while drawing design inspiration from the iconic Ford Mustang lineage. As a compact crossover, it provides more interior space and versatility compared to subcompact hatchbacks.

In its latest iteration, the Mustang Mach-E has undergone enhancements, particularly in battery efficiency and range. The Standard Range (SR) variant, with a 70 kWh usable capacity battery, now offers a significantly improved range, achieving up to 247 miles for the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version and 224 miles for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version. This marks a notable increase from its predecessors, underscoring Ford’s commitment to evolving EV technology.

3 – Hyundai Kona Electric (3.57 mi/kWh)

Total Cost of Insurance and Fuel per Year: $3,641

The Hyundai Kona Electric is an affordable electric vehicle that can go as far on a fully charged battery as a ‘regular’ car can on a full tank of fuel. The Hyundai EV claims to be able to travel up to 300 miles between charges, thanks to its large battery capacity. That sort of distance used to be the preserve of expensive Tesla models.

Gasoline Cars vs. Electric Vehicles: Which is Better Value for Money?

We have previously discussed the benefits of driving an electric vehicle, but how does an EV compare to a car running on gasoline? We wanted to compare the running costs for a year based on insurance prices and the cost of gas/electricity per year. Here’s how our cheapest to run EVs compared to our cheapest to run gasoline cars:

The Honda Fit 2018 small hatchback model had a much higher price point for the cost of insurance combined with gas costs per year, at the cost of $5,348. Compared with the Nissan Leaf 2022 compact electric model, which had a total cost of insurance and fuel of $3,626. The Nissan Leaf will save you $1,722 in running costs..

The Hyundai Accent is a subcompact car with a total cost of $5,468 for insurance and gas per year. Compared with the Ford Mustang Mach E, a battery-electric compact crossover SUV at a price point of $3,626. Switching to the electric version could save you an average of $1,842 per year.

The Honda Civic had a combined cost of $5,480 for a year of running the vehicle. The Hyundai Kona Electric 2022 small SUV model had a total cost of $3,626 for the same yearly expenses. You can expect to save almost $1,839 in running costs if you switch to the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Car Registration Fees by State

Running a vehicle in the US is not cheap, and you should expect to pay a lot more than the price on a car sales website. Down payments, monthly payments, insurance, gas, and registration fees should also be considered when you buy a new car.

Vehicle registration plates are required for every vehicle, and each state requires that cars are registered and titled with the state’s transportation agency. Each state has varied fees for vehicle registration, and some may base this price on the car’s age or weight, or may even carry extra fees, such as public safety fees. Colorado, Michigan, Utah and Iowa registration fees are based on vehicle value or weight depending on age, with specific fees for electric and hybrid vehicles. So which states have the highest and lowest car registration fees?

Top 5 States with the Highest Car Registration Fees:

1. North Dakota: Ranges from $49 to $274, depending on age and weight of the vehicle.
2. Oregon: Between $122 to $152, determined by the model year and MPG.
3. Maryland: Ranges from $135 to $187 for two years, based on weight.
4. Michigan: Based on vehicle value or weight, with fees for electric vehicles ranging from $135 to $235 annually.
5. Illinois: Flat fee of $151, with an additional $251 annual fee for electric vehicles.

Top 5 States with the Lowest Car Registration Fees:

1. Arizona: Base fee of $8 plus a $32 Public Safety Fee.
2. Hawaii: Starting at $12, based on vehicle weight.
3. Mississippi: $12.75 for renewals and $14 for first-time registrations.
4. Florida: Ranges from $14.50 to $32.50, plus $225 for new vehicle fee.
5. Nebraska: $15 (plus $5.50 in additional fees).

Cars with the Cheapest Costs for Repairs with Replacement Parts

It comes as no surprise that most car manufacturers are not keen to share the costs of fixing and maintaining your new vehicle. Therefore, it’s key that you research and choose a car that’s affordable to fix and efficient to run. Here are three cars with low repair costs:

1 – Tesla Model S (3,55 mi/kWh)

Total Cost for Replacing Car Parts (Brake Pads, Air Filter and Car Battery): $170.40

The Tesla Model S is a standout in terms of cost-effective repair options. When it comes to replacing essential car parts, Tesla owners can breathe easy knowing that their wallets won’t take a hit. With brake pads available for a reasonable $42.42, a car battery priced at $117.99, and an air filter costing just $9.99, the total expenditure for these replacements won’t cost an arm and a leg.

2 – Mitsubishi Outlander 2.5L Automatic

Total Cost for Replacing Car Parts (Brake Pads, Air Filter and Car Battery): $176.47

The Mitsubishi Outlander continues to set the standard for compact SUVs with its affordable repair costs. Replacement parts will cost around $117.99 for a new battery and just $16.99 for a new air filter.

3 – Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5L Automatic  

Total Cost for Replacing Car Parts (Brake Pads, Air Filter and Car Battery): $181.97

Ranked at number three on our list is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 1.5L Automatic, a compact crossover SUV that doesn’t break the bank when it comes to maintenance. With a total cost of just $181.97 for replacing essential car components like brake pads, air filter, and the car battery, the Eclipse Cross offers affordability that surpasses the industry average for popular SUV models.

Cars with the Most Expensive Costs for Repairs with Replacement Parts

When looking at vehicle costs, we sometimes don’t consider the cost for pricey repairs and new parts, particularly if you’ve purchased a new car. You might expect luxury sports cars to lead the list, but some common commercial vehicles are surprisingly costly to keep running.

We took a look at some of the most commonly replaced car parts, giving us a total cost of the car parts for each vehicle model:

1 – Ford F-150 Raptor (2022) 3.5L Automatic

Total Cost for Replacing Car Parts (Brake Pads, Air Filter and Car Battery): $660.24

The supercharged Raptor model from the Ford F-Series could become a pricey affair when parts need to be replaced. The average price for replacement front brake pads cost around $279.96, and a replacement battery will set you back by around $359.99.

2 – GMC Sierra 2WD 5.3L Automatic

Total Cost for Replacing Car Parts (Brake Pads, Air Filter and Car Battery): $423.9

The GMC Sierra 2WD is a versatile and capable pickup truck, well-suited for a variety of tasks. Known for its strong performance and towing capabilities, the GMC Sierra offers a comfortable and spacious interior, making it a practical choice for both work and everyday driving.  This model costs around $271.99 for a replacement battery, and $80.99 for a new air filter. In total, the most replaceable car parts could set you back $423.9.

3 – Hyundai Sonata 2.5L Automatic

Total Cost for Replacing Car Parts (Brake Pads, Air Filter and Car Battery): $419.9

The Hyundai Sonata 4-cylinder 2.5L Automatic (S8) is a midsize sedan. When it comes to reliability, the Hyundai Sonata has recently passed car repair tests with flying colors. Although, when the time comes to finally replace parts for your Hyundai, you can expect to pay $271.99 for a replacement battery, and $79.99 for an air filter.

Previous reports

2023 The Cost Effective Cars Report

Methodology:

We started our research by collating a list of the most popular cars in the US, using listicle articles by All Top Everything’s Top 10 Most Popular Cars in the USA.

Fuel Costs

We were able to find the Cost of Gas (per mile) using Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Vehicle Cost Calculator, using the average daily use figures already set in the calculator to find the cost of gas per mile.

We then found the average miles driven per year using Federal Highway Administration Data. We were then able to multiply the cost of gas (per mile) by the average number of miles per year in the US (13,476 miles).

Cost of Insurance

We used Insure.com’s Average insurance rates for your 2023 car to find insurance costs for our 2023 models. We used Finder.com’s Compare car insurance by make and model for our older car models.

The Cheapest EV Cars to Run in the US

We used ChooseEV’s EV Savings Calculator to add the electric vehicle model, and were then able to find the car’s Utility kWh rate (the estimated costs per mile). We were able to multiply each model’s Utility kWh rate by the Average Number of Miles Traveled per Year (according to Federal Highway Administration Data), to find the cost of electricity per year. 

We then used Insure.com’s Average insurance rates for your 2023 car to find insurance costs for our electric vehicle models. Finally, we compared the total yearly costs of our EVs to our gasoline vehicle models.

Car Registration Fees by State

We used World Population Review’s Car Registration Fees by State 2024 to find the fees in each state for car registration.

Cost for Car Parts

We used Advance Auto Parts to find the cost of replacement parts for each vehicle. Our average score is based on the cars with the priciest car parts.