The 20 Most and Least Expensive Cars to Keep (2022 List)

You begin your car-shopping journey by looking at the cost of the vehicle. You might forget to factor in the cost of maintaining the car while you're looking for the best deal. A deal that looks great may actually be a financial nightmare. You can easily find the best and most affordable cars to keep.

Using research done by CarEdgeWe identified the cars that will cost the most to maintain and those that offer bargain prices.

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The 10 most expensive cars to maintain

It’s obvious that both BMW and FCA are automakers that aren’t focused on keeping maintenance costs down. These are the seven most costly vehicles for maintenance between these companies. This ranking was based on how much maintenance costs compared to the value of the vehicle.

These are the priciest cars you can keep:

1. Ram 1500

Overall, light duty trucks tend to cost a minimal amount for maintenance, but that’s not the case with the Ram 1500. Comparing to the rest, the Ram 1500 will be the most expensive over the next ten years.

The MSRP for Ram 1500 is $32,795
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $18,072
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 55.1%

2. BMW X1

Most drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a BMW X1 aren’t interested in a bargain, but the cost of maintenance is going to break the bank. In ten years you will pay nearly twice what it cost to buy the car new.

BMW X1 MSRP 35,400
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $17,691
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 49.9%

3. BMW X2

The X2 falls right in line. The X2 is a great choice, but the service rates and costs for parts are prohibitive. The only reason that this car’s overall percentage is lower is because the starting price is higher than the X1.

BMW X2 MSRP $36,600
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $17,764
Maintaining a Price vs. New: 48.5%

4. Jeep Renegade

Service on the Renegade will cost you a lot of money. It’s more expensive than a larger Ford Expedition. Considering it’s such a small SUV, owners aren’t getting much bang for their buck.

Jeep Renegade MSRP: $22,850
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $10,177
The Maintenance Costs vs. the New Price: 44.5%

5. Chevrolet Spark

When you purchase a Chevy Spark, you don’t expect it to cost so much to maintain, but it does. Sure, it’s not the same level of expense as some other options, but when compared by the cost to purchase, it’s a hefty equation.

Chevrolet Spark MSRP: $13,600
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $6,038
The Maintenance Costs vs. the New Price: 44.3%

6. Dodge Journey

The Journey hasn’t won awards for anything important, proving to be one of the vehicles no one really wants to drive. You should not be on the fence about the maintenance costs.

Prices for Dodge Journey starting at $23,675
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $10,133
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 42.8%

7. Event Venue

While the Venue has been released officially in 2020, its owners are already paying a lot of money for maintenance. Larger and more expensive vehicles don’t cost this much.

Hyundai Venue MSRP $18,750
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $7,834
The Maintenance Costs vs. the New Price: 41.7%

8. BMW X3

It’s been clear that BMW isn’t interested in keeping costs down and the consumers are paying for it. With its high maintenance cost, the X3 is right at home with the rest.

BMW X3 MSRP $43,000
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $17,878
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 41.5%

9. Jeep Compass

Although the Compass is less expensive than the Renegade, it will be nearly as costly to maintain. The average SUV will cost between 20 and 25 percent over 10 years. However, the Compass is a far more affordable option.

Jeep Compass MSRP $24,495
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $10,127
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 41.3%

10. Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

You will pay more to own a luxury vehicle. Parts for Mercedes cars are expensive. Qualified mechanics will also cost you a lot.

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class MSRP: $34,250
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $13,911
The Maintenance Costs vs. the New Price: 40%

Ten Cars You Should Keep the Most Affordable

Toyota and Honda have been voted the best in terms of finding low-maintenance vehicles. We will not be looking at the most expensive cars, but we will consider this list based on total maintenance costs over the next ten years.

These are the cheapest cars to keep:

1. Toyota Yaris

The Yaris lineup is ending in the United States, but that doesn’t negate the cost-saving vehicle that it is. Toyota's Yaris is still popular with owners who are looking for a lower price and want to be behind the wheel.

Toyota Yaris MSRP $17,750
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $4,033
Maintaining a Price vs. New: 22.7%

2. Toyota Corolla

Toyota is continuing to offer reliable low-cost vehicles. The Corolla is a popular choice among drivers.

Toyota Corolla MSRP: $20,025
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $4,083
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 20.3%

3. Toyota Prius

The Prius might be known as the start of the hybrids, but it’s worth so much more. Owners are actually saving not just fuel, but also on maintenance for a decade.

Toyota Prius MSRP: $24,525
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $4,098
The Maintenance Costs vs. the New Price: 16.7%

4. Toyota Camry

The Camry is the big brother to the Corolla, but the maintenance costs aren’t much more expensive. The Camry can be purchased for approximately the same price over 10 years.

Toyota Camry MSRP $25,045
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $4,211
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 16.8%

5. Toyota Avalon

The Avalon, although the most luxurious sedan in the range, is relatively affordable to keep. In fact, you aren’t going to spend much more to take care of this car versus the other Toyota cars.

Toyota Avalon MSRP: $36,125
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $4,409
Maintaining a Price vs. New: 12.2%

6. Honda Fit

Due to its exceptional comfort and space-saving design the Honda Fit has attracted a lot attention. The low maintenance cost should also be a highlight.

Honda Fit MSRP: $16,190
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $5,033
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 31.0%

7. Mitsubishi Mirage

Mirage owners who are budget conscious will love it because it is affordable. To top that off, the maintenance isn’t going to cost a lot either.

Mitsubishi Mirage MSRP: $14,295
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $5,062
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 35.4%

8. Honda Civic

Civic remains a highly-popular car after decades. The Civic will cost almost nothing to keep it running for the next ten year.

Honda Civic MSRP: $21,250
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $5,250
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 24.7%

9. Honda Insight

Honda Insight is designed to help you save money on your fuel costs. In addition to the savings you'll make, your monthly care cost will be minimal.

Honda Insight MSRP: $23,130
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $5,310
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 22.9%

10. Nissan Versa

Nissan is another reliable manufacturer that's worth considering, even though our Versa was the only one to be included in this roundup.

Honda Versa MSRP: $14,980
10-Year Average Maintenance/Repair Costs: $5,340
Comparison of Maintenance and New Prices: 35.6%

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