5 Affordable Car Brands That Will Last Over 10 Years With Proper Maintenance

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Owning a car can be expensive, and in 2025, you’ll find the average price of a new vehicle comes in at around $48,641. With all the costs to consider — such as maintenance, insurance and what you’ll pay at the pump to fill it up — it’s no wonder that it’s looking like a year where automakers will have to work harder for each sale.

Now, with President Trump and his administration pushing through tariffs on certain imported goods, the price of both cars and their parts could spike drastically. Many automakers are fighting this and want to stop the looming threat of 25% tariffs on imported auto parts, as this could reduce vehicle sales, upset the global automotive supply chain and raise prices. However, it still looks like Trump plans to impose these tariffs starting in May. 

Here are some car makers, including some on GOBankingRates’ recommended list below, that could be most impacted by this: 

• Tesla: Even Trump’s advocate and designated “first buddy” is not on board, as the new tariffs would affect the electric car company’s American-made models.
• Ford: Though some of Ford’s line, such as the F-150 pickup truck, are made in the U.S., so won’t struggle as much, some others, like the Maverick pickup truck and Bronco Sport SUV, are made in Mexico and will be hurt when costs go up.
• Toyota and Honda: Even big-name Japanese automakers like Toyota and Honda are going to feel the sting of tariff taxes as they export a large number of vehicles and auto parts from Japan to the U.S., and even have big plants in Canada, which will also have new tariffs.

However, despite rising costs across the board, if you’re looking for an affordable car brand that’ll last a long time with proper maintenance, you’re in the right place. Using data from CarEdge and Kelley Blue Book (KBB), here are some of your best options.

Toyota

On average, a Toyota costs $5,445 in maintenance and repairs over the first 10 years. The industry average for other popular brands is $1,724 higher. Moreover, in their first decade, Toyotas have a 14.5% chance of needing a major repair, which is 6.03% less likely than other comparative automotive brands.

Certain types of Toyota vehicles cost even less in the first 10 years — and last a long time. Here are just a few:

• Toyota Camry: It costs around $4,455 in the first 10 years and has only an 11.89% chance of needing a major repair. A standard Camry has a starting MSRP of around $27,000 to $32,000.
• Toyota Corolla: This costs approximately $4,229 in the first decade and has a similar chance of needing major repairs as the Camry. Pricing starts at around $21,900.
• Toyota Prius: A Prius costs around $4,157 in the first 10 years of maintenance and repairs. It has an 11.22% chance of requiring a major repair. Pricing starts at $29,000.
• Toyota Highlander: Although this vehicle costs more than other Toyota models in the first decade — $6,013 in total repairs and maintenance — it’s cheaper than other SUVs by $3,358. The starting MSRP is $39,120.

Fiat

Fiats cost, on average, $6,443 in the first 10 years of maintenance and repairs. This makes them approximately $726 less expensive than other popular car brands. In the first 10 years, Fiats have an 18.62% chance of needing a major repair, which is 1.91% lower than similar vehicles.

Here is one of the most affordable Fiat vehicles that’ll last for at least a decade:

• Fiat 500L: Expect to spend around $6,061 in maintenance and repairs during the first decade of ownership. The chance of it needing a major repair during that time is 17.56%. The starting MSRP for a Fiat 500L is about $24,000.

Volkswagen

On average, a Volkswagen will cost $6,496 in repairs and other maintenance its first decade. This is $673 less than the industry average for similar car brands.

Volkswagens also have an 18.29% chance of requiring a major repair in the first decade. This is 2.24% lower than similar manufacturers.

Here are a few of the most affordable Volkswagen vehicles that tend to last:

• Volkswagen Golf: This costs an average of $5,555 during its first 10 years, and has a 15.91% chance of needing a major repair. The starting MSRP is $31,765.
• Volkswagen Jetta: In the first decade, maintenance and repairs will cost approximately $5,943. This vehicle also has a 16.86% chance of needing a major repair during this time. The starting cost is $22,660.

Mitsubishi

On average, expect the first decade of repairs and maintenance for a Mitsubishi to cost you $6,593. This is about $576 less than what you’d pay for similar brands.

These cars tend to have a 19.2% chance of needing a major repair in the first 10 years. This is 1.33% less likely than similar vehicles.

Here are a few of the most affordable Mitsubishis:

• Mitsubishi Outlander: These cost a bit more in the first 10 years — $7,519. For an SUV, however, the costs are around $1,852 less than other comparable vehicles. Outlanders also have a 21.63% chance of needing a major repair during this time, similar to other SUVs. The starting cost is $30,200.
• Mitsubishi Mirage: This vehicle costs $5,135 in first-decade maintenance, on average, and has a 15.09% chance of requiring a major repair in those 10 years. The starting sticker price is $18,250.

Honda 

Maintenance and repairs for a new Honda will cost around $6,684 in the first 10 years, which is roughly $485 less than similar brands. These vehicles also have an 18.92% chance of needing a major repair during their first decade. This is slightly lower than similar options — 1.71% lower, in fact.

These are some of the most affordable Hondas:

• Honda Accord: These cost around $5,643 in the first decade and have a 15.57% chance of needing a major repair. Their starting price is $28,990.
• Honda Civic: Expect to spend around $5,620 in maintenance and repairs in the first decade. This vehicle also has a 15.57% chance of requiring a major repair during this time. Prices range from around $25,000 to $30,000.
• Honda Odyssey: As expected for a minivan, the Odyssey has higher 10-year maintenance and repair costs — about $7,769 in total. This is still $1,807 lower than other popular models. These vehicles cost around $43,315 new.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Sources

• Car Edge, Ranking the Least Expensive Cars to Maintain
• Kelley Blue Book, Average New Car Values

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