Despite lower fuel prices, cost to operate vehicle remain constant

The cost to own and operate a typical new sedan driven 15,000 miles yearly is $8,095, only $26 less than last year's estimated cost of $8,121.

AAA's 2009 edition of "Your Driving Costs" shows the average cost of owning and operating a new car in the U.S. has remained relatively unchanged, despite lower fuel costs.

The average cost for a new sedan driven 15,000 miles per year is 54 cents per mile, only 0.1 cent less than reported in 2008.

"While motorists are experiencing relief at the pump, those savings have been countered by revised Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy estimates and increases in vehicle ownership costs such as insurance premiums, depreciation, finance charges and other fees and taxes," said AAA spokesperson Jennifer Cook.

AAA estimates the cost to own and operate a typical new sedan driven 15,000 miles yearly is $8,095, only $26 less than last year's estimated cost of $8,121. Small sedan costs were unchanged at 42.1 cents per mile, or $6,312 annually.

Medium sedan costs dropped 1.1 cents per mile to 54.0, or $8,105 per year, thanks to maintenance cost savings and lower depreciation. However, the costs for large sedans rose 0.7 cents per mile to 65.8, or $9,870 yearly, due largely to increased depreciation.

SUV owners, whose vehicles get lower fuel economy, benefited most from the drop in fuel prices. Their estimated operating costs dipped 1.3 cents per mile to 68.4 cents, or $10,259 per year, despite a relatively large increase in depreciation and insurance premiums.

Meanwhile, minivan costs jumped 1.2 cents per mile to 58.8 cents, or $8,815 yearly. The growth is due to cost increases in every area except fuel and included the largest rise in depreciation of any vehicle class.

AAA's 2009 edition of "Your Driving Costs" uses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's revised fuel-economy estimates that are intended to better reflect "real world" results. The new estimates reflect the effects of faster speeds and acceleration, air conditioner use and colder outdoor temperatures. The overall result was reduced fuel-economy estimates for most vehicles.

"AAA was a strong advocate for updating the EPA's guidelines for calculating fuel economy so new car buyers could have a realistic estimate of a vehicle's miles per gallon before their purchase," said Cook. "The ability to use EPA estimates more closely based on 'real world' conditions in our calculations has made 'Your Driving Costs' an even more valuable tool for consumers."

For more information on the EPA's new testing, visit www. fueleconomy.gov.

AAA's calculations are based on both operating and ownership costs that include:

• operating costs: fuel, maintenance and tires;

• ownership costs: insurance, license, registration, taxes, depreciation and financing.

The costs are based on typical use of a vehicle for personal transportation over five years and 75,000 miles of ownership. Fuel costs were based on $2.30 per gallon, as reported by the AAA Fuel Gauge Report in late 2008.

AAA's analysis covers vehicles equipped with standard and optional equipment. The driving costs in each category are based on the average expenses for five top-selling models selected by AAA. The models included in the study are:

• Small sedans: Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.

• Medium sedans: Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.

• Large Sedans: Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon.

• SUVs: Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner.

• Minivans: Chevrolet Uplander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

A copy of "Your Driving Costs" is available AAA.com/publicaffairs.