Value for money is an important factor when buying a car. And there's nothing more valuable than a car's reliability. Being able to get you from one place to another is the entire point of owning a car, so having one you can rely on is always worth the spend.
The publication iSeeCars put together a study analyzing the prices of over 3.8 million vehicles sold in the second half of 2024, comparing them to the odometer readings of 368 million cars from its longest-lasting cars study published last year. While the average new car costs $48,106 and lasts 11.5 years, these cars are far below that threshold.
"With new car prices remaining at near record highs, getting the best value for your new-car dollar remains a top priority for most consumers," iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer said in a statement. "We’ve identified the models offering the lowest purchase price and the longest lifespan, helping consumers maximize their new car budget."
| Rank | Model | Average List Price | Expected Lifespan (Years) | Price per Year | Compared to Average |
| 1 | Honda Civic | $27,564 | 13.7 | $2,006 | 0.48x |
| 2 | Toyota Corolla | $25,218 | 11.6 | $2,166 | 0.52x |
| 3 | Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback | $31,849 | 14.1 | $2,260 | 0.54x |
| 4 | Honda Accord | $30,659 | 13.1 | $2,339 | 0.56x |
| 5 | Subaru Impreza Wagon | $26,900 | 11.2 | $2,399 | 0.57x |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $28,250 | 11.8 | $2,400 | 0.57x |
| 7 | Honda CR-V | $36,009 | 15.0 | $2,401 | 0.57x |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | $35,258 | 14.6 | $2,411 | 0.57x |
| 9 | Kia Soul | $23,863 | 9.9 | $2,417 | 0.58x |
| 10 | Mazda Mazda3 Sedan | $27,735 | 10.6 | $2,608 | 0.62x |
| 11 | Hyundai Elantra | $25,536 | 9.8 | $2,608 | 0.62x |
| 12 | Toyota Prius | $34,333 | 13.0 | $2,649 | 0.63x |
| 13 | Toyota Camry Hybrid | $35,471 | 13.2 | $2,683 | 0.64x |
| 14 | Nissan Sentra | $24,886 | 9.0 | $2,755 | 0.66x |
| 15 | Nissan Versa | $21,011 | 7.6 | $2,767 | 0.66x |
| Overall Average | $48,106 | 11.5 | $4,197 | – |
Unsurprisingly, the cars that provide the most reliability for the money are from Japanese or Korean brands. The Honda Civic sits atop the throne, costing just $27,564 when new on average, and lasting 13.7 years. On a per-year basis, owning a Civic will cost you less than half the industry average, according to iSeeCars.
The Toyota Corolla, the Civic's main competitor, follows up in second place. It's trailed by the Mazda3 hatch and then the Subaru Impreza wagon to round out the top five. The best-selling car in America, the Toyota RAV4, doesn't arrive until eighth place. And the first non-Japanese car, the Kia Soul, comes in ninth. The Prius, the first hybrid on the list, ends up in 12th place.
One thing iSeeCars doesn't account for is maintenance costs. Even the most reliable cars still need things like oil changes, brake jobs, and tire replacements. One can deduce that smaller, lighter cars usually have cheaper maintenance costs and therefore last longer, all other factors are considered equal. With cars like the Civic, Corolla, and Mazda3 on top of the list, that theory makes some sense. Small SUVs might be the most popular segment in America, but if you truly want the most bang for your buck, compact cars are still king.
If you want to check out the full study, which includes breakout lists for hybrids, trucks, and SUVs, you can head on over to iSeeCars' website.
