True Cost of Vehicle Ownership Calculator
See beyond the sticker price. Our free TCO calculator reveals the complete 5-year cost of owning any Gas, EV, or Hybrid vehicle.
Quick Estimate
Popular Vehicle TCO Reports
Pre-configured cost analyses for popular vehicles
Full TCO Calculator
Adjust the sliders below. Results update in real time.
Vehicle A - Inputs
Vehicle B - Comparison
Results - Vehicle A
Cost Breakdown
Cost by Category
Annual Cost Breakdown
| Year | Depreciation | Interest | Fuel | Insurance | Maintenance | Annual | Cumulative |
|---|
Resale Value Over Time
Enable "Compare Two Vehicles" above to see comparison.
Lease vs. Buy Analysis
PrismLife 2026 Top 20 TCO Index
5-year total cost of ownership for popular vehicles.
How to Calculate Your Vehicle's True Cost
Follow these 5 simple steps
Select Vehicle Type
Choose Gas, EV, or Hybrid.
Enter Purchase Details
Set MSRP, down payment, loan rate and term.
Configure Operating Costs
Adjust mileage, fuel efficiency, insurance, maintenance.
Review Your TCO Breakdown
See 5-year total, per-month, per-mile figures.
Compare and Share
Toggle comparison mode or share your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depreciation
We use KBB-style curves: 20% in Year 1, then 10% of remaining value for Years 2-5. Source: Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.
Financing
Loan interest calculated using standard amortization formula. Source: Federal Reserve.
Fuel / Energy
Gas: (Miles / MPG) x $/gallon. EV: Miles x kWh/mi x blended rate. Source: DOE AFDC, EIA.
Insurance and Maintenance
Based on AAA annual driving cost studies and Insurance Information Institute data.
"The sticker price is just the opening act. Over five years, depreciation alone can exceed the combined cost of fuel and maintenance."