The Cheapest Cars of 2012
Eighth-lowest: Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra is the lone compact car among the subcompacts on the list, and is the eighth-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $29,498 over five years.
"Elantra is good for someone who can't quite climb into a subcompact and might want to make use of the rear seats," Gutierrez says.
The four-door sedan has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $16,120 and a fair purchase price of $15,519. It gets 29 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg combined and 40 mpg on the highway. KBB assumed financing at 3.9%.
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Seventh-lowest: Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is the seventh-lowest-cost car to operate, according to KBB, with a total ownership cost of $29,370 over five years.
"Fit is a perennial heavyweight in this segment," Gutierrez says. "It is maybe due for a redesign, since some of the competitors are newer. But it still gets 35 miles and still has a competitive price point."
The four-door hatchback has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $15,945 and a fair purchase price of $15,441. It gets 28 miles per gallon in the city, 31 mpg combined and 35 mpg on the highway.
