The average annual maintenance cost for a car is over $600. Additionally, the annual maintenance costs increase the large the car is or if it is a foreign model. The sad truth is that one can only own a car if they can afford to put money into it. The average cost of a new car is at least $40,000. Some people spend up to 20% of their annual salary on a car. But if it suits your lifestyle, many minimal maintenance cars won’t take a bite out of your budget.
Minimal Maintenace Cars
Minimal maintenance cars refer to relatively cheaper car models, like sedans, compact SUVs, compacts, and sub-compacts, that don’t require a lot of money to maintain year to year.
Car maintenance refers to the usual costs of fuel, repairs, and insurance that come with owning a car.
Some of the cars on this list may only require that you pay $3,000 to $4,000 annually to maintain them.
The average annual maintenance cost for owning a car is usually $6,000 to $9,000.
So, here are three minimal maintenance cars for you to consider.
2023 Kia Rio
MSRP – $16,500
The 2023 Kia Rio is one of the safest, tech-friendly subcompact, and minimal maintenance cars on the market. It’s affordable and has a very competitive fuel economy. The 2023 Kia Rio can also be purchased as a 5-door hatchback or a roomier 4-door sedan.
- Fuel economy: 36 MPG
- Cargo/Trunk Volume Space: 13.7 cu. ft of space
- Engine Specifications: 1.6 Liters, 4-cylinder
- 120 HP
The 2023 Kia Rio does not scream “Sexy,” when it comes to car models, but it is a reliable vehicle that will get you from A to B. The Rio’s closest competitors, like the Toyota Yaris, Chevy Sonic, and Honda Fit, have not stabilized their respective brands as reliable subcompacts like the Rio.
This subcompact is ergonomic and offers 33.5 inches of rear legroom space. There is not a lot of trunk space, but if you upgrade to the 5-door hatchback version, then you will get 32.8 cubic feet of space.
You get a 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 100,000 miles/10 years powertrain coverage warranty and roadside assistance through the warranty period. The 2023 Kia Rio also has high safety ratings for crash testing and headlight illumination at night.
This is not an overpowered Fast & Furious-style drag racing vehicle. This is not a car that you buy for style – but it is reliable and steady and handles well on the highway.
The 2023 Kia Rio comes with five years/60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. You also get roadside assistance throughout the five-year warranty period.
The 2023 Kia Rio comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. You can purchase a $1,800 “Technology Package” that comes with lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, automatic high beams and emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a push-button starter.
The 2023 Kia Rio is not “Sexy” or “Exciting” but if you take care of it, it will take care of you. You will only pay $434 annually to maintain it.
2023 Hyundai Tucson
MSRP – $26,450
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is a 5-seat compact SUV. It is a redesign of its previous Tucson crossover SUV model that is just as practical, affordable, and comfortable, and boasts just as many features.
- Fuel economy: 25 to 28 MPG
- Cargo/Trunk Volume Space: 80.3 cu. ft of space
- Engine Specifications: 2.5 Liter, 4-cylinder
- 187 HP
The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is one of those minimal maintenance cars that is stylish, offers more engine power than the Kia Rio, and has a more spacious interior cabin.
In the auto industry, there is a term called “design language,” that is used to describe how the tactile exterior aesthetics of a vehicle is designed to stand out from competitors. The design language of this vehicle is called “Sensuous Sportiness” and is a nod to how the designers visually crafted the car to not look like a run-of-the-mill compact SUV.
This model comes with a Hyandai Digital Key, which is an app that lets you use any Android smartphone as a digital key. With the Hyandai Digital key, you can remotely open the vehicle, set navigation settings, remotely set driver seat placements, and even share access with other authorized phones.
The interior cabin materials are made of more quality materials than the Kia Rio, which is very plastic-y on the inside.
This vehicle does not offer wireless smartphone cabin connectivity but is not a deal breaker.
Your annual maintenance bill for the 2023 Hyundai Tucson could be less than $397 depending on how often you use it and how well you take care of it.
2023 Honda HR-V
MSRP – $28,410
This vehicle is the smallest of the minimal maintenance cars manufactured by Honda. You can get this 5-seat compact SUV in AWD or FWD. And it has a lot of safety features, engine power, utility, tech-friendliness, and affordability for the budget-conscious driver.
- Fuel economy: 30 MPG
- Cargo/Trunk Volume Space: 76.5 cu. ft of space
- Engine Specifications: 1.5 Liter, 4-cylinder
- 190 HP
The 2023 Honda CR-V is the darling of many auto reviewers because of its new design, improved outward vision for drivers, spacious cabin, and other upgrades from its previous models. Even though this vehicle represents the second generation of the HR-V model, its design revision almost feels like a fresh take.
The only drawback of the vehicle is that it has less cargo space than its predecessor, especially with the collapsing second-row storage seat feature missing.
Your annual maintenance expenses with the 2023 Honda HR-V will be less than $301.
Conclusion
The annual maintenance costs for a vehicle are a relative concept whose calculations depend on a lot of factors.
- How many people are in your family?
- How often will you drive the vehicle?
- What is the terrain on which you will drive the vehicle?
- How many individuals will have access to the vehicle?
- What is the price of fuel and auto repair in your region?
While the idea of minimal maintenance cars is great for your wallet, make sure that you choose a car that is suited to your lifestyle, fuel economy needs, and cost of living standard.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.