Realistically, cars will always get more expensive to maintain as they get older, but if you take depreciation, insurance, and financing into consideration, there are some cars that become more financially appealing once they have reached a certain age. Specific sedans and hatchbacks with trustworthy reputations will have predictable maintenance costs attached to them.
When it comes to the used car market, reliability is a fundamental aspect for many people because they are typically sold without manufacturer-backed warranties. Thanks to vast surveys and data, there are some cars currently sitting on used lots that have a trusty reputation, perfect for those wanting to minimize long-term ownership costs and expenses.
The models in this list have been extensively researched to ensure the most accurate information possible as of the time of publishing. Models are listed in descending order based on 10-year cost estimates, from the most expensive to own to the least expensive to own.
2021 Nissan Versa
10-Year Estimated Cost: $5,786
Kicking off our list is the 2021 Nissan Versa which falls under a moniker that has long been the cheapest car you can buy in the U.S. According to CarEdge, you can expect a 10-year maintenance estimate of roughly $5,786. There’s a possibility that you may face some issues with the CVT, but research suggests that this car only has a 16.43 percent chance of needing a major repair during its lifespan. The EPA estimates that this model will consume 35 MPG combined, meaning you’ll spend around $12,000 on gas over a decade of typical driving.
Nissan Versa Reliability
Regarding dependability, the 2021 Nissan Versa earns an overall consumer-verified score of 78/100 from J.D. Power, which includes 83/100 for quality and reliability. iSeeCars backs this with a reliability score of 7.1/10, noting an average lifespan of roughly 116,000 miles before facing any noteworthy mechanical issues.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $456 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,786 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2012
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2020 Honda Civic Si
10-Year Estimated Cost: $5,714
The 2020 Honda Civic Si is the last model year to feature the stylish coupe variant. Despite featuring a more complex turbocharged engine compared to some other options on this list, it boasts a competitively low 10-year maintenance and repair bill of approximately $5,714. Reliability remains a highlight, with a 16.08-percent major repair probability. Being a performance-tuned model, the Si runs on premium unleaded and averages 30 MPG combined, resulting in an $18,500 10-year fuel cost estimate.
Honda Civic Si Reliability
The 2020 Honda Civic Si maintains strong reliability standards, earning a quality and reliability score of 81/100 from J.D. Power. iSeeCars further validates this durability with an 8.3/10 reliability score and 13.1-year average lifespan. Their data indicates that the Civic is 43.2 percent likely to reach 200,000 miles.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $368 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,714 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2016
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2021 Mazda3 Hatchback
10-Year Estimated Cost: $5,652
The 2021 Mazda3 Hatchback remains the golden standard if you want to balance economical running costs with a premium feel. The ’21 Mazda3 hatch boasts a 10-year maintenance and repair cost of $5,652 and carries a 16.32 percent probability of a major repair. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine averages 29 MPG combined when using regular unleaded, so you’ll spend roughly $14,500 over a decade.
Mazda3 Hatchback Reliability
The 2021 Mazda3 hatchback earns solid marks for reliability, with J.D. Power assigning it a quality and reliability score of 79/100. iSeeCars ranks it highly with a reliability score of 8.0/10, noting an impressive average lifespan of over 152,000 miles.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $433 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,652 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 3
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2014
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Most Reliable Luxury SUVs Ranked By J.D. Power
Let’s take a look at the best luxury SUVs based on their J.D. Power reliability scores.
2021 Honda Civic
10-Year Estimated Cost: $5,632
The 2021 Honda Civic sedan is a benchmark for balanced ownership, with a 10-year maintenance and repair estimate of $5,632. It remains remarkably reliable, carrying a 16.08 percent major repair probability. On the fuel front, the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines deliver a combined 36 MPG on regular unleaded. Over a decade, you’ll likely spend roughly $12,700 on gasoline.
Honda Civic Reliability
The 2021 Honda Civic sedan represents the final year of its tenth generation, reaching a peak in reliability standards. J.D. Power thus fittingly awards it with an 86/100 score for quality and reliability, marking a noteworthy improvement over previous years as Honda refined the platform’s mechanical components. iSeeCars mirrors this with a reliability score of 8.1/10, with an average lifespan exceeding 11.7 years and a 29.9 percent probability of crossing the 200,000-mile mark.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $368 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,632 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2016
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2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4
10-Year Estimated Cost: $5,626
The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 may not be the most exciting sedan option on this list, but its simple mechanical structure makes it an economical standout. It benefits from a 10-year maintenance and repair cost estimate of $5,626 and a 16.03 percent major repair probability. Fuel efficiency is the Mirage G4’s strong point, delivering a combined 35 MPG on regular unleaded, meaning you’ll spend approximately $12,000 on gas over a decade.
Mitsubishi Mirage Reliability
The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 offers a different reliability profile, focusing on mechanical simplicity rather than premium refinement. J.D. Power rates the Mirage range a 77/100 quality and reliability score. iSeeCars backs this with a solid reliability score of 8.0/10, estimating an average lifespan of approximately 131,441 miles or 11 years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $457 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,626 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2015
2021 Honda Civic Hatchback
10-Year Estimated Cost: $5,396
The 2021 Honda Civic hatchback offers a blend of utility and economy, with a 10-year maintenance and repair estimate of $5,396. It also carries a low 15.57 percent chance of needing major repairs, making it one of the most dependable pure ICE vehicles in its class. When equipped with the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, it returns an estimated 34 MPG on the combined cycle when running on regular fuel. This means your 10-year gasoline expenditure should hover around $12,350.
Honda Civic Hatchback Reliability
The 2021 Honda Civic hatchback carries a reputation for stellar longevity, but you will have to pay extra care and attention to the turbocharger. J.D. Power grants it an 86/100 quality and reliability score, while iSeeCars ranks the hatchback exceptionally well with a reliability score of 8.1/10, noting an impressive average lifespan of 175,626 miles, which is even higher than the naturally aspirated sedan variant listed above.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $368 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,396 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2016
10 Affordable Japanese Sedans That Refuse To Break Down
When it comes to finding that used gem that will last for years and give you value for money, these Japanese sedans are some of the best around.
2021 Mitsubishi Mirage
10-Year Estimated Cost: $5,314
The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback is the ultimate frugal pick, boasting a 10-year maintenance and repair estimate of just $4,939, making it one of the cheapest vehicles in North America to keep on the road. Supporting this is a 15.59 percent major repair probability. Fuel economy is where it shines above its sedan counterpart, achieving a combined 39 MPG on regular unleaded, meaning you’ll likely spend $10,800 on gas over a decade of typical driving.
Mitsubishi Mirage Reliability
The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback mirrors the G4’s reputation for simple reliability at a budget price point. It resultantly achieves the same scores as the aforementioned sedan. iSeeCars awards the hatchback a reliability score of 8.0/10, projecting an average lifespan of 131,845 miles.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $457 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,314 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2015
2021 Toyota Camry
10-Year Estimated Cost: $4,580
The 2021 Toyota Camry is what we’d call a heavyweight champion of the midsize sedan segment, with 10-year maintenance and repair costs estimated at $4,580. You also get the benefit of an impressively low major repair probability of 11.89 percent. Opting for the 2.5-liter four-cylinder Camry results in an EPA-estimated 32 MPG combined consumption figure. Over a decade of driving, you can expect to spend approximately $13,100 on regular unleaded.
Toyota Camry Reliability
The 2021 Toyota Camry remains a gold standard for midsize sedan dependability. J.D. Power awards it an 85/100 quality and reliability score, which iSeeCars reinforces this with a reliability score of 8.0/10 and an average lifespan of 163,604 miles, with a high 32.2 percent probability of exceeding 200,000 miles.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $388 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,580 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2009
2021 Toyota Corolla
10-Year Estimated Cost: $4,434
The 2021 Toyota Corolla sedan is the true champion for those wanting a car that gets progressively easier to own with time. Opting for this means you’ll get to benefit from a 10-year maintenance and repair estimate of $4,434 and an 11.89 percent chance of a major repair, which is fittingly identical to the Camry. The ’21 Corolla‘s fuel costs are also equally competitive, with the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine averaging a combined 33 MPG on regular unleaded. This means you’ll spend about $12,700 on fuel over a decade.
Toyota Corolla Reliability
The Toyota Corolla sedan continues the moniker’s longstanding legacy as a titan of reliability. J.D. Power awards it an 88/100 score for quality and reliability, while iSeeCars assigns a reliability score of 7.8/10 with a projected average lifespan of 148,248 miles.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $362 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,434 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2014
10 Most Reliable Cars Ever Made
If you’re looking for reliable and dependable cars that can last you a lifetime, you simply can’t go wrong with the models on this list.
2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
10-Year Estimated Cost: $4,198
The 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback just about bests its sedan counterpart when it comes to ownership costs. The 10-year maintenance and repair costs estimate comes in at just $4,198, backed by an 11.89 percent major repair probability. Fuel economy is equally impressive, with 2.0-liter models averaging 35 MPG combined on regular unleaded, totaling approximately $12,000 worth of fuel costs over a decade.
Toyota Corolla Reliability
The 2021 Toyota Corolla hatchback continues the brand’s tradition of exceptional reliability, often outperforming its sedan counterpart in owner satisfaction. J.D. Power awards it an 88/100 quality and reliability score. iSeeCars combines the hatch with the sedan model, resulting in it also featuring a 7.8/10 reliability score and average lifespan of approximately 148,248 miles.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $362 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,198 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2014