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    Cars That Cost the Least to Maintain in the Long Run

    CR's exclusive data can help you save

    2023 Nissan Leaf driving
    Nissan Leaf
    Photo: Nissan

    We’ve crunched the numbers to present you with the cars recommended by Consumer Reports that have the lowest routine maintenance and repair costs (there are many that are cheaper to maintain, but they’re not recommended). These numbers are based on 10 years of CR’s data for each model, so autos that were introduced more recently than 10 years ago are not included.

    We also show the average repair and maintenance expenses for each car type to give you an idea of how much money you can save.

    Learn more about car brands and models that can save you money over time. And check CR’s Car Repair Assistant so you get the work done right.

    Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the May/June 2023 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.


    Head shot of CR Autos Editor, Benjamin Preston

    Benjamin Preston

    Benjamin Preston has been a reporter with the Consumer Reports autos team since 2020, focusing on new and used car buying, auto insurance, car maintenance and repair, and electric bikes. He has covered cars since 2012 for the New York Times, Time, the BBC, the Guardian, Road & Track, Car and Driver, Jalopnik, and others. Outside CR, he maintains his own small fleet of old cars and serves as a volunteer firefighter, specializing in car crash response and vehicle extrication.