---
title: "The cheapest new cars to own in America are THESE retro-styled EVs"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/296930600.md"
description: "A Self.Inc study of 50 new cars identifies the Fiat 500e as America's cheapest vehicle to own, with an average annual cost of $3,557. It beats the Honda Civic Hybrid by nearly $1,300 annually. Hybrids proved most affordable overall ($5,734/year), followed by battery electrics ($6,189) and ICE vehicles ($7,025). The average TCO for all tested cars was $6,913."
datetime: "2026-08-25T14:30:00.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/296930600.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/296930600.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/296930600.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# The cheapest new cars to own in America are THESE retro-styled EVs

A study of 50 new cars found that the compact but stylish Fiat 500e was America’s cheapest car to own and drive, beating out the Honda Civic Hybrid by nearly $1,300 per year.

And the *second* most affordable EV to own? It’s also from Stellantis.

A recent study from *Self.Inc* looked at the total cost of ownership (TCO) of 50 new cars, the little Fiat 500e showed that the Italians really do know a thing or two about building affordable cars easily beating the next-most-affordable option, the Honda Civic Hybrid, with average annual costs of just $3,557 compared to $4,833 for the Civic.

*Self* says its study takes into account the average costs for four factors: annual fuel or energy costs, annual maintenance costs, annual insurance costs, and annual fees and taxes –the average of the 50? A *stout* $6,913 per year (up $451 from *Self*‘s last such study from 2024). Interestingly, the study found that the *hybrid* cars it tested were the mostaffordable to own at $5,734 per year, compared to$6,189 battery electrics and$7,025 for ICE-powered vehicles.

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---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**