Edmunds Names Cheapest Vehicles to Own in 2010
By Bill Visnic June 7, 2010Edmunds.com, parent of AutoObserver, today named vehicles in 21 distinct segments the leaders in its proprietary True Cost to Own (TCO) metric that establishes total vehicle ownership costs.
Vehicles by Japanese automakers dominate the 2010 TCO list, placing 14 of the 21 winners. Domestic automakers placed four models and European makers had three winners.
Six of the winners are made by Honda Motor Co. Ltd., the most by any manufacturer.
Edmunds.com's TCO pricing system estimates total vehicle ownership costs over a five-year period. The calculation incorporates projected average depreciation, financing, taxes, fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, regional variances, maintenance and repairs for each model.
To choose the 2010 Lowest TCO Award winners, Edmunds' editors analyzed months of historical data to identify which were the consistent leaders in low ownership cost. More details are available at http://www.edmunds.com/industry-car-news/annual-ltco-award.html.
Edmunds.com 2010 TCO winners:
Category Model
Convertible Under $35K: 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Convertible Over $35K: 2010 BMW 1 Series
Coupe Under $25K: 2010 Toyota Yaris
Coupe $25K-$35K: 2010 Honda Accord
Coupe $35K-$45K: 2010 Audi TT
Coupe Over $45K: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500
Sedan Under $15K: 2010 Toyota Yaris
Sedan $15K-$25K 2010 Honda Fit
Sedan $25K-$35K 2010 Mercury Milan
Sedan $35K-$45K 2010 Lexus IS 250
Sedan Over $45K: 2010 Infiniti M35
SUV Under $25K: 2010 Honda CR-V
SUV $25K-$35K: 2010 Jeep Wrangler
SUV $35K-$45K: 2010 GMC Acadia
SUV Over $45,000: 2010 Acura MDX
Compact Truck: 2010 Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck: 2010 Honda Ridgeline
Wagon Under $35K: 2010 Nissan Cube
Wagon Over $35K: 2010 Volvo V70
Hybrid: 2010 Honda Insight
Minivan/Van: 2010 Toyota Sienna
In the TCO metric, vehicles are assumed to be driven 15,000 miles annually, the buyer has "gold" credit and finances a straight purchase with 10 percent down on a 60-month term.
"Considering not just the buying price but the overall ownership costs of a vehicle can help shoppers get the most for their money over the long haul," said Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor for Edmunds.com. -- Bill Visnic, senior editor
Photos by automakers
1. Jeep Wrangler
2. Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500
3. Honda Fit
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So why does the Mercury Milan show up but not the Ford Fusion? It's the SAME car, isn't it?!
Does your TCO calculation also take into account sales volume? You don't mention it, but it seems to me that maintenance & repair numbers would be lower for cars that have lower sales volumes?
price point and depreciation would be my guess, dzielke
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