15 Best Compact Cars To Buy if You Hate To Spend Money on Maintenance

Compact cars can be a good option if you want to save money when buying a new vehicle. But it's important to choose a model that won’t cost you a lot of money after you make the purchase.

That's why you want to select a compact car that won’t break the bank in maintenance expenses. Some cars hold up better than others, and low repair costs help you to keep more cash in your wallet.

Here are some of the best low-maintenance compact cars — both sedans and small SUVs — to consider, according to data compiled by CarEdge.

Toyota’s compact C-HR SUV typically needs $5,425 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years.

That is $3,708 better than other popular SUV models.

German carmakers are known for excellent engineering, and that appears to be true for the Volkswagen Golf.

The Golf needs an average of $5,410 in maintenance and repairs over the first decade of ownership, which is $1,354 lower than other hatchbacks in the segment.

Expect to pay $5,409 in maintenance and repair costs during the first 10 years of ownership for a Mazda 3.

That total beats the average for similar sedan models by $1,687.

Car Edge estimates that the Nissan Versa will cost about $5,331 to maintain and repair during the first 10 years of service for the vehicle.

That cost is $1,765 better than the average vehicle in the sedan segment.

The Honda Insight sedan will set you back $5,303 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years.

The Insight will cost you around $1,793 less than other popular sedans during that same time period.

The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 will cost you $5,254 for maintenance and repair over the first 10 years.

That beats the average for other sedan models by $1,842.

The Honda Civic will cost you slightly less than the Mirage G4 in maintenance and repair costs — $5,245 over 10 years.

It is also $1,851 less than other sedan models.

The sporty Supra will cost you an average of $4,950 over 10 years for repairs and maintenance.

That is $2,473 better than other coupe models.

The Mirage — which is a hatchback compared to the Mirage G4 sedan — will likely require $4,939 in maintenance and repair costs over 10 years.

That cost is $1,825 less than other hatchback models in the same segment.

The Honda Fit will cost you an average of $4,915 in maintenance and repair over a decade.

That means it will cost an average of $1,849 less to repair or maintain the Fit compared to other hatchback models.

The Toyota Camry — the best-selling sedan in the U.S. in 2022 — needs about $4,203 in maintenance and repair costs for the first 10 years.

That beats other sedans in the Camry’s class by $2,893.

The Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that costs about $4,098 for repair and maintenance over the first 10 years.

That's $2,666 less than other popular hatchback models.

When it comes to maintenance and repair costs, expect the Corolla to cost you $4,087 over the first 10 years of the vehicle’s life.

That’s more than $3,000 less than the average for popular sedans — saving you precisely $3,009 compared to other vehicles in the segment.

Expect to pay $4,027 in repair and maintenance costs over the first 10 years of the life of your Toyota Yaris.

That beats the average for sedan models by $3,069.

The Toyota Prius hybrid sedan typically requires just $4,008 over the first 10 years of its life for maintenance and repairs.

That beats the industry average for hatchbacks by $2,756 — a figure that should help lower financial stress for buyers who purchase a Prius.

It’s important to think about not only the cost of a vehicle but also the repair and maintenance expenses when you consider buying a new car. Choosing a car with low maintenance costs can boost your bank account.

And remember to factor ways to save on car insurance, repair and maintenance, gas, and other costs into your overall budget when choosing your next new car.