Honda Civic: $5,245 over 10 yearsThe second Honda entry on our list is the Honda Civic. The Accord's Big Brother was released in 1972 and has since earned a reputation for its versatility and reliability. The Honda Civic was initially a two-door fastback sedan that has since morphed into a four-door sedan with hatchback varieties. In the first 10 years of use, the maintenance costs averaged $5,245 which is cheaper when compared with the Honda Accord. This cost-effective addition to its sleek design has made this car a popular pick since the '70s. You'll also notice that the Civic comes with decent leg room making it a more practical affordable option when placed side by side with compact cars like the Mazda3.Although drivers have reported problems including rumbles, power window switch failure, and windshield wipers failure, all of which can be prevented by regular inspections and shouldn't cost much to fix. To keep the Civic in good shape, you should change the engine oil and rotate your tires every 7,500 miles.Mitsubishi Mirage: $4,939 over 10 yearsOur first and only subcompact sedan entry on this list is the Mitsubishi Mirage. Introduced by Mitsubishi Motors in 1978, the Mirage is the epitome of simplicity and efficiency as the vehicle is perfect for your day-to-day transportation around town. It was first manufactured between 1978 and 2003, and then once more in 2012, replacing the Mitsubishi Colt.This vehicle is modestly powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. Unsurprisingly, it's one of the more fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars with up to 36 miles per gallon when driving in the city and 43 mpg if you're on the highway.For its first 30,000 miles, the only recommended maintenance for this vehicle is an oil filter change, tire rotations, and air filter replacement, contributing to a relatively low average maintenance cost of $1,285 over the first five years of use.With repair only needed on average at a 15% clip in its first decade, the Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the cheapest vehicles to own today, with a purchase price of less than $20,000.Tesla Model Y: $4,732 over 10 yearsThe first SUV and electric vehicle on our list is the Tesla Model Y, which was introduced in 2020 by Tesla Inc. Electric vehicles offer an array of cost-saving benefits as many standard maintenance procedures do not apply.The Tesla's lack of traditional combustion engines means you do not need regular oil and oil filter changes. It also features regenerative braking technology that eliminates the need for frequent brake inspections and brake pad replacements. Since it doesn't use fuel, the energy efficiency charge makes the total ownership cost a lot less than that of motor vehicles.You are, however, still expected to keep a maintenance schedule that will include tire rotations, air filter replacements, and brake fluid testing at least once every 12,000 miles to maintain good usage practices. You will also spend about $4 per 100 miles on charging.Even with those, the maintenance cost over five years of use is an average of $1,449, which could rise to $4,732 in the first decade.Toyota Camry: $4,203 over 10 yearsToyota has built a solid reputation in the motor vehicle industry as the brand with the lowest maintenance cost. A perfect example of this is the Toyota Camry, introduced by the Japanese automobile manufacturing company in 1982. The Camry is a reliable and affordable car that's easy to maintain. It comes with a four-cylinder engine, although some Camry models offer a V6 engine, which is not typical for its class of vehicles. This vehicle is so popular that it has sold 20 million units in more than 100 countries. The 2008 through 2015 models particularly stand out in this regard. It also has great resale value for owners who are looking to make a switch or upgrade later on.The Toyota Camry boasts an average repair and maintenance cost of $4200 in ten years, with only 27% of that cost needed in the first five years. To decrease the chances of major repair, the recommended maintenance schedule includes inspecting and adjusting fluid levels every 5,000 miles.Toyota Prius: $4,008 over 10 yearsRounding off our Toyota trilogy, and second on our overall ranking is the Toyota Prius. It was introduced to the Japanese market in 1997 as a four-door sedan but has since 2003, been exclusively designed as a four-door liftback.The Toyota Prius earns its acclaim as the first hybrid passenger vehicle in the world to be manufactured in high volumes. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Hybrid engine and a horsepower of 194 for the front wheel drive and 196 for the all-wheel drive. Its standout feature is its fuel efficiency of up to 56 mpg on the highway.With a maintenance cost of $4,008 over the first 10 years of use, the Toyota Prius and its hybrid technology is a superb budget choice, especially with its battery warranty, which trims long-term maintenance costs.The likelihood of a major repair in the first decade of use is 11.22%. To keep your chances low, the recommended maintenance schedule includes inspecting and adjusting fluid levels every 5,000 miles.