Cheap to Keep: 10 American Cars With the Lowest Maintenance Costs

There is a quietly underrated feeling that comes with owning a car that does not drain a wallet every few months. In 2026, with parts and labor costs still climbing, that feeling matters more than ever. The 2024 model-year data compiled by CarEdge, Consumer Reports, RepairPal, and J.D. Power still offers a useful snapshot of which American mass-market cars ask the least from their owners over five and ten years. The list below covers ten new American vehicles that were ranked among the cheapest to maintain and repair for 2024. For shoppers in 2026, these models remain a smart starting point, though checking current quotes and recall history is always wise. 🚗💰

Does a low price tag automatically mean low running costs? Not at all. Some affordable cars are cheap to buy but expensive to keep, while some performance machines turn out to be surprisingly gentle on the bank account. That is exactly why this ranking is worth a closer look. It mixes compact crossovers, full-size SUVs, and even a couple of sports cars, proving that low maintenance costs do not follow a single formula.

At the tail end of the top ten, the Chevrolet Equinox starts the conversation. CarEdge predicted that this small crossover would cost its owner $2,263 over five years and $8,616 over a decade. That is about $517 above the average running costs for an SUV, and its 26.05% chance of a major failure is 4.55% worse than the class average. Even so, its relatively low maintenance bill helps offset some of that risk, making it a solid choice for buyers who want an American SUV without a luxury price tag.

Next comes the Buick Envision, another small SUV with a similar story. Its projected five-year cost is $2,287, rising to $8,521 over ten years. That places it $612 above the class average, while its 25.14% chance of a major problem is 3.64% worse than its rivals. Shoppers who value a quiet cabin and comfortable ride may still find the Envision appealing, but they should budget for slightly above-average ownership costs.

The Chevrolet Trax follows as a trendy compact SUV. It is projected to cost $2,212 over five years and $8,512 over ten years, which is $621 above its class average. Its 26.05% chance of a major issue also leaves it 4.55% adrift of the compact SUV leader. The Trax proves that a stylish design and a low purchase price do not always translate into the lowest long-term costs.

Then the list shifts toward larger vehicles. The GMC Yukon is the first full-size SUV to appear, and it lands in seventh place. Interestingly, its five-year cost of $2,360 is higher than several smaller vehicles here, but it levels out to $8,300 over ten years. That is better than the full-size SUV average by $833 over a decade. Its 22.80% chance of a major issue is roughly 1.30 percentage points from the class average, hinting at stronger long-term mechanical and servicing reliability. For families who need space, the Yukon offers a compelling balance.

Buick returns with the Encore GX, a subcompact SUV. It sports a five-year maintenance cost of $2,158, which rises to $8,264 over ten years. That puts it $869 clear of the industry average, though its 25.14% chance of a serious problem is 3.64% in the red compared with the class average. In other words, it is cheaper to maintain than many rivals, but it is not the most failure-resistant option in the group.

GMC's mid-size Acadia kicks off the top five with a strong showing. CarEdge projected a five-year cost of $2,119 and a ten-year cost of $7,817. That places it $1,316 better than the class average, while its 22.80% chance of a major failure is 1.30% worse than the industry average. The Acadia shows that a three-row family SUV can still be reasonably affordable to keep on the road.

Who expects a Chevrolet Corvette to be cheap to own? That is exactly why its fourth-place finish is so surprising. America's sports car is projected to cost $2,259 over five years and $7,714 over ten years. That puts it $291 clear of other cars in its class, while its 20.36% chance of suffering a major ailment places it 1.14% ahead of its class rivals. A V8 performance car with lower-than-average major-issue odds is a rare combination, and it makes the Corvette a standout for enthusiasts who also care about long-term costs.

GMC is well represented on this list, with its vehicles making up around a third of the ten. The small Terrain SUV is the final GMC to feature, courtesy of a five-year maintenance cost of $2,063 that progresses to $7,706 over a decade. That places it $1,427 ahead of the class average. Its 22.80% chance of a major problem leaves it 1.30% worse off than its competition, but the overall financial picture remains attractive.

Does a muscle car have to be a money pit? The Ford Mustang says no. Ford's iconic pony car has been developed over six decades, and that evolution shows in its impressive maintenance costs. CarEdge reported that the Mustang should cost just $1,195 over five years and $7,093 over ten years. It also has a 20.79% chance of sustaining major issues over a decade, which puts it 0.71% clear of the class average. As if anyone needed another reason to finally take the plunge on a performance car, the Mustang makes a strong financial case.

Finally, the maintenance-cost king is the Chevrolet Malibu. This trusty sedan launches itself to the top of the podium thanks to a five-year cost of $1,718, which translates to $6,460 over ten years of service. That is over $500 better than the vice-champion on this list. The Malibu also has a slender 19.26% chance of suffering a major issue during ten years of running, putting it 2.24% better off than the class average. If any gearhead is looking for a new car that is ultra-cheap to maintain, the 2024 Chevy Malibu is hard to beat. The only issue is that it does not quite look like a Mustang.

What do these ten vehicles have in common? They are not all tiny economy cars, and they are not all boring. The list includes compact crossovers, full-size SUVs, a mid-size sedan, and two genuine performance cars. GMC alone accounts for about a third of the ranking, while Chevrolet and Buick also make multiple appearances. That spread suggests that smart engineering and sensible parts pricing matter more than vehicle size or horsepower.

For shoppers in 2026, the key takeaway is simple: low maintenance costs are not reserved for one brand or one body style. The 2024 data remains a valuable reference, but anyone buying new today should verify current reliability scores, warranty terms, and repair estimates. After all, the cheapest car to own is not always the one with the lowest sticker price. Sometimes it is the one that quietly asks for less every month, every year, and every mile. 🔧