It’s not often Audi and Kia are mentioned in the same discussion. But the high-end Toyota division and the Korean economy manufacturer both offer the best value for owners during a five-year time frame

At least that’s the determination of Kelley Blue Book, the vehicle assessment company. Based on such factors as depreciation, expected fuel costs, insurance, maintenance and repair costs and state fees, Audi is the most cost efficient luxury brand, while Kia is the most cost efficient economy manufacturer.

Among the top-three luxury brands, Audi is the least expensive with a total five-year cost of ownership of $68,866. The Audi A3 2.0T and A4 2.0T sedan models, with low depreciation and great fuel economy, helped position the manufacturer at top of luxury category.

Lexus is second in the luxury category, with a five-year cost average of $73,605. Cadillac is third with a five-year average of $77,680.

Among the non-luxury cars, Kia was the winner. It will cost an average motorist $38,884 to drive a Kia for the first five years.

Kelley Blue Book cited Kia’s Rio, Optima and Forte as the models that kept the overall cost low for this brand.

Hyundai had the second-lowest five-year average, $40,092 followed by Honda at $40,862.

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James Raia

A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.