The 5 most expensive vehicles to run in America are popular full-size SUVs and trucks
A vehicle purchase is more than the money you throw down at a dealership. It’s taxes, insurance, fuel, and maintenance, just to name a few. All together, these things make up running costs. And the most expensive vehicles to keep on the road may cost you dearly in average running costs.
The Chevrolet Tahoe leads the lineup of the most expensive popular vehicles in terms of running costs
Unsurprisingly, the most expensive vehicles to run are big, fuel-swilling SUVs and pickup trucks. At the top of the list, the Chevrolet Tahoe is the priciest popular model in terms of running costs. On average, it costs around $3,276 to fuel the full-size seven-seat SUV. Combined with insurance rates averaging around $2,000, the Tahoe takes the top spot. All said and done, it could cost $8,644 to keep a Tahoe running every year.
| Make and model | Vehicle type | Average annual insurance | Annual running cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Tahoe | SUV | $2,058 | $8,644 |
| Lexus RX | SUV | $2,051 | $8,046 |
| RAM | Pickup truck | $1,663 | $7,981 |
| Toyota 4Runner | SUV | $1,897 | $7,820 |
| Chevrolet Silverado | Pickup truck | $1,614 | $7,699 |
According to Self Financial, the Lexus RX is a close second, averaging just $7 less than the hulking Tahoe to insure. However, the Lexus SUV is considerably cheaper to fuel, costing owners $405 less than the Tahoe on average. Still, with typical annual running costs of $8,046, the RX makes the list of the most expensive popular vehicles to operate.
RAM pickup trucks and the Toyota 4Runner take the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, respectively. On average, a RAM pickup truck may cost its owner $7,981 to run annually. The Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, is cheaper to insure and maintain.
Finally, the Chevrolet Silverado takes the No. 5 spot, bookending the top five most expensive vehicles to run with Bow Ties. Interestingly, Self Financial’s ownership data suggests that the Silverado is cheaper to fuel, maintain, and insure than the Chevrolet Tahoe, despite being on the same frame.
