What is included in the five-year total?

Loan payments for up to 60 months, five years of fuel at your entered MPG and gas price, and 60 months of insurance plus maintenance. Down payment is not double-counted — it reduces the financed amount that drives the payment.

Should I include depreciation?

This calculator focuses on cash you spend, not resale value. A vehicle that depreciates quickly can still have affordable monthly costs. Compare trade-in estimates separately when you plan to sell.

How do I estimate maintenance?

Budget more for luxury brands, high-mileage commuters, and vehicles past warranty. Many owners use $50–$150 per month as a rough set-aside; adjust for your vehicle and shop rates.

Is this financial advice?

No. Informational estimates for research. Lender quotes, insurance premiums, and fuel prices vary.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership Calculator

Estimate five-year vehicle ownership cost: loan payment, fuel, insurance, and maintenance from price, APR, mileage, and MPG.

The payment is the number on the windshield sticker conversation. Fuel, insurance, and maintenance are the quiet line items that decide whether the car still fits in year three.

Vehicle price

Down payment

APR (%)

Loan term (months)

Annual miles driven

Fuel economy (MPG)

Gas price per gallon

Monthly insurance

Monthly maintenance

5-year ownership estimate

Estimated monthly loan payment: $665
5-year fuel cost: $7,500
5-year insurance + maintenance: $15,600
5-year loan payments (up to 60 months): $39,915
Estimated 5-year total: $63,015

Estimates only. Excludes sales tax, registration, depreciation, repairs outside routine maintenance, and EV charging hardware. Fuel assumes steady MPG and gas price. Actual insurance and maintenance vary by vehicle, location, and driving habits.

How to use this calculator

Enter vehicle price, down payment, loan APR, and term. Add annual miles, fuel economy, and local gas price for a five-year fuel estimate.

Insurance and maintenance are monthly inputs multiplied over 60 months. Use quotes from your insurer and a realistic service budget for the vehicle class you are considering.

Results show monthly payment, five-year fuel, five-year insurance and maintenance, and a combined five-year total.

What the results mean

The five-year total is cash out of pocket for loan payments (up to 60 months), fuel, insurance, and routine maintenance. It does not include depreciation, sales tax, registration, or major out-of-warranty repairs.

If your loan term is shorter than five years, loan payments in the window stop when the loan is paid off. Fuel and insurance lines still run the full five years.

Limitations

EV and PHEV energy costs are not modeled separately — use an electricity estimate in the fuel fields only if you adapt MPG manually. This is a planning tool, not financial advice.

Common questions

What is included in the five-year total?: Loan payments for up to 60 months, five years of fuel at your entered MPG and gas price, and 60 months of insurance plus maintenance. Down payment is not double-counted — it reduces the financed amount that drives the payment.
Should I include depreciation?: This calculator focuses on cash you spend, not resale value. A vehicle that depreciates quickly can still have affordable monthly costs. Compare trade-in estimates separately when you plan to sell.
How do I estimate maintenance?: Budget more for luxury brands, high-mileage commuters, and vehicles past warranty. Many owners use $50–$150 per month as a rough set-aside; adjust for your vehicle and shop rates.
Is this financial advice?: No. Informational estimates for research. Lender quotes, insurance premiums, and fuel prices vary.