Compare up to three vehicles
Use the same distance unit throughout. Use the same currency across all inputs.
Example Data Table
| Vehicle | Purchase price | Down payment | Rate | Years owned | Annual distance | Fuel efficiency | Fuel price | Insurance | Maintenance | Resale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Hybrid | $28,000 | $5,000 | 5.5% | 5 | 12,000 | 50 | $3.80 | $1,350 | $650 | $14,500 |
| Midsize Sedan | $32,000 | $6,000 | 6.2% | 5 | 12,000 | 34 | $3.80 | $1,500 | $850 | $13,800 |
| Compact SUV | $36,000 | $7,000 | 6.8% | 5 | 12,000 | 28 | $3.80 | $1,680 | $980 | $17,000 |
These numbers are illustrative. Replace them with real purchase, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, tax, and resale assumptions.
Formula Used
Total ownership cost = net purchase loss + interest paid during holding period + fuel + insurance + maintenance + registration/tax + parking/tolls + other costs.
Net purchase loss = purchase price + sales tax + upfront fees - expected resale value.
Annual fuel cost = (annual distance ÷ fuel efficiency) × fuel price.
Cost per year = total ownership cost ÷ years owned.
Cost per distance = total ownership cost ÷ total distance driven during ownership.
Loan interest is calculated with a standard amortization formula. If ownership ends before the loan term, the calculator includes only interest paid during that holding period.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter purchase price, tax rate, upfront fees, and down payment for each car.
- Add financing assumptions, including loan rate and loan term.
- Enter your expected ownership years and annual driving distance.
- Fill in fuel efficiency, fuel price, insurance, maintenance, registration, and other recurring costs.
- Estimate resale value at the time you plan to sell the vehicle.
- Click Compare total costs to see summary results, cost breakdown tables, and the Plotly chart.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to save the comparison output.
FAQs
1. What does this calculator compare?
It compares complete ownership cost, not just sticker price. It includes purchase loss, financing interest, fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration, parking, tolls, and other yearly expenses.
2. Why is resale value included?
Resale value reduces your effective ownership cost. A vehicle that keeps value better may cost less overall, even if its purchase price is higher.
3. Can I use kilometers instead of miles?
Yes. Use one distance system consistently across annual distance and fuel efficiency. The calculator works with either miles or kilometers as long as units match.
4. Does it handle selling before the loan ends?
Yes. It calculates interest paid only during your ownership period. That makes the comparison more realistic when you plan to sell or trade in early.
5. What should I put in other costs?
Use other costs for tires, inspections, charging memberships, roadside plans, cleaning, or recurring ownership expenses not covered by the standard fields.
6. Is the cheapest purchase price always the best choice?
No. A cheaper vehicle can still cost more over time if it has worse fuel economy, higher insurance, weaker resale value, or larger maintenance bills.
7. Can I compare electric, hybrid, and gasoline vehicles?
Yes. Enter energy or fuel price and efficiency using consistent units. For electric vehicles, treat efficiency and energy price as your chosen distance-per-unit and cost-per-unit setup.
8. Why use cost per distance and cost per year together?
Cost per year shows time-based affordability. Cost per distance shows operating efficiency. Reviewing both helps you choose the right car for your driving pattern.