Honda Insight’s the lone hybrid on Kelley’s cheapest-to-own list

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The Honda Insight was the only hybrid to make it onto Kelley Blue Book‘s list of new cars that will cost less than $30,000 to own during the first five years of ownership.

The Insight, which has a base MSRP of $19,120, was joined by 15 other models, all of which are high fuel-economy gas models whose MSRPs range from $11,770 for the Nissan Versa to $16,890 for the Toyota Corolla. The Volkswagen Jetta was the least fuel-efficient of the bunch, with a combined EPA rating of 27 mpg. Read here to see the complete list, which factored in depreciation, refueling costs as well as repair and maintenance expenses.

Last month, Kelley Blue Book compared ownership costs of electric-drive vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid and the Nissan Leaf battery electric, and concluded that the Volt was about $1,500 “cheaper” to own than the Leaf during the first five years of ownership. The Volt, which Kelley estimated will cost the driver about $40,600 during the first five years, beat out the Leaf in part because of lower insurance and maintenance costs.

Honda could certainly use the help moving the Insight, which was launched as a look-alike competitor to the Toyota Prius. Last year, Honda sold 15,549 Insights in the U.S., which was down 26 percent from 2010 and was about one-ninth of what Toyota sold in Prius hybrids last year.

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Kbb.com Reports Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Available With Five-Year Total Cost of Ownership Less Than $30,000

Analysts Recommend Car Shoppers Consider Long-Term Expenses in Choosing Next New Car

IRVINE, Calif., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used vehicle information, today reports the most fuel-efficient vehicles available with a five-year Total Cost of Ownership less than $30,000. Available on kbb.com, Kelley Blue Book’s Total Cost of Ownership information reveals depreciation, expected fuel costs, finance and insurance fees, maintenance and repair costs, and state fees for new models for the initial five-year ownership period.

In today’s economy, most families are looking to save money wherever possible. Going out to eat less often, cutting back on premium cable channels and nixing expensive coffee shop habits are a few ways consumers can reduce their weekly expenses in the short term. However, with gas prices on the rise, many consumers are looking beyond short-term savings by considering more fuel-efficient vehicles to help offset the rising price of fuel. For those shoppers who are ready to purchase a vehicle soon, Kelley Blue Book provides a list of fuel-sipping new vehicles that are most affordable in the long term, according to the company’s Total Cost of Ownership data.

“When it comes to purchasing an automobile, consumers need to think long term to determine all of the costs associated with owning a vehicle,” said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book. “It is simple enough to estimate monthly payments or even the cost of fuel on a short-term basis; however, the cost of insurance, maintenance and repairs are far more difficult to obtain on a case-by-case basis. Kelley Blue Book provides this helpful information for free on kbb.com with its Total Cost of Ownership data for new cars.”

Kelley Blue Book analysts focused on highlighting the vehicles that provide excellent fuel economy with a five-year operating cost of $30,000 or less. Shoppers looking for a small car can choose from a variety of new or redesigned subcompacts such as the Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta or Chevrolet Sonic. For consumers who need a little more space, the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic or Volkswagen Jetta would make an excellent choice.

Fuel Economy			Pricing		Incentives
Make	Model	Trim	City	Comb	Hwy	MSRP	FPP	Rebate	APR	TCO
Nissan	Versa	Sedan 4D	30	33	38	$11,770	$11,093	$25,818
Hyundai	Accent	GLS Sedan 4D	30	33	40	$13,320	$12,657	3.9%	$27,743
Kia	Soul	Sport Wagon 4D	29	32	36	$14,650	$14,111	1.9%	$28,131
Toyota	Yaris	Hatchback 2D	30	33	38	$14,875	$14,009	$28,167
Mazda	MAZDA2	Sport Hatchback 4D	29	32	35	$15,325	$15,153	0.9%	$28,457
Ford	Fiesta	Sedan 4D	29	33	40	$13,995	$13,488	$500	3.9%	$28,639
Honda	Fit	Hatchback 4D	28	31	35	$15,945	$15,441	$29,370
Hyundai	Elantra	GLS Sedan 4D	29	33	40	$16,120	$15,519	3.9%	$29,498
Kia	Rio	Hatchback 4D	30	33	40	$14,150	$13,513	1.9%	$29,862
Scion	xD	Hatchback 4D	27	29	33	$16,075	$15,689	$29,913
Honda	Civic	DX Coupe 2D	28	32	39	$16,375	$15,386	1.9%	$29,928
Honda	Insight	Hatchback 4D	41	42	44	$19,120	$18,382	$30,647
Mazda	MAZDA3	SV Sedan 4D	27	31	39	$15,995	$14,789	0.9%	$30,784
Toyota	Corolla	Sedan 4D	27	30	34	$16,890	$15,877	$30,807
Volkswagen	Jetta	Sedan 4D	24	27	32	$16,135	$15,167	0.9%	$30,868
Chevrolet	Sonic*	LS Sedan 4D	29	33	40	$14,660	$14,261

All incentives listed are subject to change and may or may not be combined, check with your local dealer or manufacturer’s website to verify local offers

Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price (FPP) relies on actual transactions from around the country

Kelley Blue Book’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) considers FPP, Fuel, and other factors to reflect a 5-year estimated cost of ownership

At the time of publication KBB did not have sufficient data to publish a TCO for the Chevrolet Sonic

“We featured only the most affordable trims available for each vehicle on our list, so some creature comforts and amenities may not be available at these bargain basement prices,” said Gutierrez. “Consumers can always opt to spend a little more to jump up a trim or two to get all of the features they want, but those determined to spend as little as possible on a new vehicle need look no further than this list.”

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com provides consumer pricing and information on minivans, pickup trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.