Buying a new car is a lot of fun, but the shine wears off quickly when maintenance costs start to add up. There’s nothing worse than a high repair bill, and while many issues are covered by today’s vehicle warranties, there are still costs for many vehicle problems. Consumer Reports recently released its list of cars that cost the least to maintain over the long term, and there aren’t many surprises among the names in the top-performing group.
The publication looks at repair costs over 10 years and lists only the vehicles it recommends. Several models without 10 years of data were excluded for being too new, while others may have had inexpensive repair costs but lower scores in other areas. Beyond repairs, the publication cites factors like fuel economy and tire replacement costs as drivers of some of the totals we see. Consumer Reports’ list includes:
- 2023 Nissan Leaf: $1,190 to keep for 10 years
- 2023 Toyota Camry: $2,510
- 2023 Lexus ES Hybrid: $3,015
- 2023 Toyota RAV4: $2,970
- 2023 Ford Edge: $3,190
- 2023 Lexus RX: $4,065
- 2023 Buick Enclave: $4,365
Vehicles were rated based on the quality of their 10-year repair costs compared to their segment average. The three-row SUV class had an average repair total of $5,155, while the 10-year average cost of electric cars was $2,320. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and do not require oil or transmission fluid changes, making them less expensive to maintain than gas vehicles.
Thanks to stronger consumer protection laws, car manufacturers’ warranties are longer and more comprehensive than in years past. Most offer “bumper-to-bumper” coverage for at least three years and powertrain coverage for at least five. Some, including Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi, offer much longer powertrain warranties of up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Battery warranties on electric vehicles must be at least eight years/100,000 miles, but California extends that requirement to 10 years.
