Kelley finds fuel-efficient vehicles with less than $30,000 cost of ownership

(March 15, 2012) IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com reports the most fuel-efficient vehicles available with a five-year Total Cost of Ownership less than $30,000.  Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership information reveals depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new models for the initial five-year ownership period. 

In today's economy, most families are looking to save money wherever possible.  Going out to eat less often, cutting back on premium cable channels and nixing expensive coffee shop habits are a few ways consumers can reduce their weekly expenses in the short term. 

However, with gas prices on the rise, many consumers are looking beyond short-term savings by considering more fuel-efficient vehicles to help offset the rising price of fuel.  For those shoppers who are ready to purchase a vehicle soon, Kelley Blue Book provides a list of fuel-sipping new vehicles that are most affordable in the long term, according to the company's Total Cost of Ownership data.

"When it comes to purchasing an automobile, consumers need to think long term to determine all of the costs associated with owning a vehicle," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book. 

"It is simple enough to estimate monthly payments or even the cost of fuel on a short-term basis; however, the cost of insurance, maintenance and repairs are far more difficult to obtain on a case-by-case basis.  Kelley Blue Book provides this helpful information for free on kbb.com with its Total Cost of Ownership data for new cars."

Kelley Blue Book analysts focused on highlighting the vehicles that provide excellent fuel economy with a five-year operating cost of $30,000 or less.  Shoppers looking for a small car can choose from a variety of new or redesigned subcompacts such as the Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta or Chevrolet Sonic. For consumers who need a little more space, the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta would make an excellent choice. 

 

 

 

Fuel Economy

Pricing

Incentives

 

 

Make

Model

Trim

City

Comb

Hwy

MSRP

FPP

Rebate

APR

TCO

 

Nissan

Versa

Sedan 4D

30

33

38

$11,770

$11,093

 

 

$25,818

 

Hyundai

Accent

GLS Sedan 4D

30

33

40

$13,320

$12,657

 

3.9%

$27,743

 

Kia

Soul

Sport Wagon 4D

29

32

36

$14,650

$14,111

 

1.9%

$28,131

 

Toyota

Yaris

Hatchback 2D

30

33

38

$14,875

$14,009

 

 

$28,167

 

Mazda

MAZDA2

Sport Hatchback 4D

29

32

35

$15,325

$15,153

 

0.9%

$28,457

 

Ford

Fiesta

Sedan 4D

29

33

40

$13,995

$13,488

$500

3.9%

$28,639

 

Honda

Fit

Hatchback 4D

28

31

35

$15,945

$15,441

 

 

$29,370

 

Hyundai

Elantra

GLS Sedan 4D

29

33

40

$16,120

$15,519

 

3.9%

$29,498

 

Kia

Rio

Hatchback 4D

30

33

40

$14,150

$13,513

 

1.9%

$29,862

 

Scion

xD

Hatchback 4D

27

29

33

$16,075

$15,689

 

 

$29,913

 

Honda

Civic

DX Coupe 2D

28

32

39

$16,375

$15,386

 

1.9%

$29,928

 

Honda

Insight

Hatchback 4D

41

42

44

$19,120

$18,382

 

 

$30,647

 

Mazda

MAZDA3

SV Sedan 4D

27

31

39

$15,995

$14,789

 

0.9%

$30,784

 

Toyota

Corolla

Sedan 4D

27

30

34

$16,890

$15,877

 

 

$30,807

 

Volkswagen

Jetta

Sedan 4D  

24

27

32

$16,135

$15,167

 

0.9%

$30,868

 

Chevrolet

Sonic*

LS Sedan 4D

29

33

40

$14,660

$14,261

 

2.9%

-

 

All incentives listed are subject to change and may or may not be combined, check with your local dealer or manufacturer's website to verify local offers

Kelley Blue Book's Fair Purchase Price (FPP) relies on actual transactions from around the country

Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) considers FPP, Fuel, and other factors to reflect a 5-year estimated cost of ownership

At the time of publication KBB did not have sufficient data to publish a TCO for the Chevrolet Sonic

"We featured only the most affordable trims available for each vehicle on our list, so some creature comforts and amenities may not be available at these bargain basement prices," said Gutierrez.  "Consumers can always opt to spend a little more to jump up a trim or two to get all of the features they want, but those determined to spend as little as possible on a new vehicle need look no further than this list."