Edmunds.com Names 2010 Lowest True Cost to Own Vehicle Awards
Honda and Toyota nameplates have the most vehicles on Edmunds.com’s annual list with five and four selections, respectively. The automotive data firm’s True Cost to Own pricing system estimates total vehicle ownership costs over a five-year period.
Edmunds.com compiled its list of the Lowest True Cost to Own vehicles for 2010. The Honda and Toyota nameplates have the most vehicles on the list with five and four selections, respectively.
Edmunds.com's True Cost to Own 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 here.
"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.
The award winners, organized by category and price range so that car shoppers can use the list as a tool, are:
Category | Model | |
Convertible Under $35,000 | 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata | |
Convertible Over $35,000 | 2010 BMW 1 Series | |
Coupe Under $25,000 | 2010 Toyota Yaris | |
Coupe $25K-$35K | 2010 Honda Accord | |
Coupe $35K-$45K | 2010 Audi TT | |
Coupe Over $45,000 | 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 | |
Sedan Under $15,000 | 2010 Toyota Yaris | |
Sedan $15K-$25K | 2010 Honda Fit | |
Sedan $25K-$35K | 2010 Mercury Milan | |
Sedan $35K-$45K | 2010 Lexus IS 250 | |
Sedan Over $45,000 | 2010 Infiniti M35 | |
SUV Under $25,000 | 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 $35,000 | 2010 Nissan Cube | |
Wagon Over $35,000 | 2010 Volvo V70 | |
Hybrid | 2010 Honda Insight | |
Minivan/Van | 2010 Toyota Sienna |
Edmunds.com's True Cost to Own calculations make the following assumptions:
Vehicles are driven 15,000 miles per year
Vehicles are financed using traditional financing and not leased
Buyers pay 10 percent down on the vehicle
Buyers are in the "Gold" credit tier for the purpose of determining the finance rate
The loan term is 60 months
Buyers represent the average demographic in their state for insurance rates
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