Tesla leads with lowest ownership cost, beats Toyota

Teslas are less expensive to maintain than other car brands, including some with strong reputations for reliability, according to Consumer Reports.

As part of its 2023 Annual Auto Surveys, Consumer Reports asked owners how much they paid out of pocket for maintenance costs like oil changes over the previous 12 months. Researchers then compared cumulative costs by brand for years one through five and years six through 10 of ownership.

Tesla had the lowest reported maintenance costs, averaging $580 for the first five years of ownership and $3,455 for the sixth through 10th years of ownership, for a total 10-year cost of $4,035. The higher cost for maintenance for years six through 10 was typical of brands surveyed, as new cars generally have fewer maintenance needs, as well as warranties that supplement out-of-pocket spending.

Tesla was well…