When selecting a car, the sticker price isnt the only cost
of ConsumerAffairsMay 8, 2025
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Average cost to drive a new car is $3,593 per 1,000 miles, based on vehicle price and usage.
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Most affordable models: Mitsubishi Mirage (car), Nissan Kicks (SUV), and Ford Maverick (truck).
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Most expensive model: Porsche 911, costing a staggering $60,708 per 1,000 miles.
A new study reveals staggering differences in the cost of driving new vehicles, showing that not all cars are equal when it comes to getting from point A to B.
Based on an analysis of over one million used car transactions, automotive website iSeeCars reports the average new car costs $3,593 for every 1,000 miles driven. But the gap between the least and most expensive vehicles is a whopping $59,600.
At the affordable end, the Mitsubishi Mirage tops the list at just $1,119 per 1,000 miles.
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Cheapest 3-Year-Old Cars per 1,000 Miles Driven – iSeeCars Study |
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|
Rank |
Model |
Average New Price |
Average MIles Driven per Year |
Price per 1k Miles per Year |
Compared to Average |
|
1 |
Mitsubishi Mirage |
$18,281 |
16,342 |
$1,119 |
0.31x |
|
2 |
Kia Rio |
$18,553 |
13,988 |
$1,326 |
0.37x |
|
3 |
Chevrolet Spark |
$16,982 |
12,624 |
$1,345 |
0.37x |
|
4 |
Nissan Versa |
$19,250 |
13,904 |
$1,384 |
0.39x |
|
5 |
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 |
$19,355 |
13,744 |
$1,408 |
0.39x |
|
6 |
Kia Soul |
$22,197 |
15,590 |
$1,424 |
0.40x |
|
7 |
Toyota Corolla |
$23,349 |
15,310 |
$1,525 |
0.42x |
|
8 |
Chevrolet Malibu |
$28,637 |
18,762 |
$1,526 |
0.42x |
|
9 |
Hyundai Accent |
$18,720 |
12,006 |
$1,559 |
0.43x |
|
10 |
Nissan Sentra |
$23,045 |
13,592 |
$1,695 |
0.47x |
|
Overall Average |
$44,223 |
12,307 |
$3,593 |
— |
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Meanwhile, luxury and high-performance vehicles like the Porsche 911 command $60,708 for the same distancenearly 17 times the industry average.
Most Expensive 3-Year-Old Cars per 1,000 Miles Driven – iSeeCars Study
|
Rank |
Model |
Average New Price |
Average MIles Driven per Year |
Price per 1k Miles per Year |
Compared to Average |
|
1 |
Porsche 911 |
$179,739 |
2,961 |
$60,708 |
16.89x |
|
2 |
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class |
$160,195* |
2,679 |
$59,788 |
16.64x |
|
3 |
Porsche 911 (convertible) |
$180,815 |
3,207 |
$56,388 |
15.69x |
|
4 |
Lucid Air |
$247,847 |
5,784 |
$42,853 |
11.93x |
|
5 |
Mercedes-Benz G-Class |
$179,405* |
5,150 |
$34,836 |
9.69x |
|
6 |
Audi RS e-tron GT |
$160,951 |
5,386 |
$29,884 |
8.32x |
|
7 |
Lexus LC 500 Convertible |
$112,772 |
3,927 |
$28,717 |
7.99x |
|
8 |
Porsche 718 Boxster |
$100,328 |
3,545 |
$28,304 |
7.88x |
|
9 |
Chevrolet Corvette (convertible) |
$92,508 |
3,596 |
$25,726 |
7.16x |
|
10 |
Porsche 718 Cayman |
$96,017 |
3,773 |
$25,445 |
7.08x |
|
Overall Average |
$44,223 |
12,307 |
$3,593 |
— |
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Fuel type matters too. Hybrids are the most economical to operate, averaging $2,978 per 1,000 miles, while electric vehicles top the list as the most expensive at $6,428, due to high purchase prices and limited annual usage.
As car prices remain high, experts urge buyers to weigh not just sticker price, but long-term cost per mile.
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