A study of 50 new cars found that the compact but stylish Fiat 500e was America’s cheapest car to own and drive, beating out the Honda Civic Hybrid by nearly $1,300 per year.

And the second most affordable EV to own? It’s also from Stellantis.

A recent study from Self.Inc looked at the total cost of ownership (TCO) of 50 new cars, the little Fiat 500e showed that the Italians really do know a thing or two about building affordable cars easily beating the next-most-affordable option, the Honda Civic Hybrid, with average annual costs of just $3,557 compared to $4,833 for the Civic.

Self says its study takes into account the average costs for four factors: annual fuel or energy costs, annual maintenance costs, annual insurance costs, and annual fees and taxes – the average of the 50? A stout $6,913 per year (up $451 from Self‘s last such study from 2024). Interestingly, the study found that the hybrid cars it tested were the most affordable to own at $5,734 per year, compared to $6,189 battery electrics and $7,025 for ICE-powered vehicles.

And, if that surprises you, wait until you read this next bit …

The Fiat 500e may not have been too huge of a surprise, given its low entry price , small size, and general efficiency, but if anything is going to convince you that All Lists Are Weird (© Jo Borrás, 2026), it’s this little nugget: the second most affordable EV to own on Self ‘s list is the also by Stellantis: the also retro-styled Dodge Freakin’ Charger Daytona.

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