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Honda CR-V
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Honda CR-V (Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Company, Inc.)

Ford Escape
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Ford Escape (Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

Mazda Tribute
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Mazda Tribute (Photo courtesy of Mazda North American Operation)

Saturn Vue
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Saturn Vue (Photo courtesy of General Motors Corporation)

Jeep Wrangler
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Jeep Wrangler (Photo courtesy of DaimlerChrysler AG)

Mitsubishi Outlander
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Mitsubishi Outlander (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America)

Nissan Xterra
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Nissan Xterra (Photo courtesy of Nissan Motors Corporation Inc.)

Toyota Highlander
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Toyota Highlander (Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.)

Chevrolet Equinox
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Chevrolet Equinox (Photo courtesy of General Motors Corporation)

Subaru Forester
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Subaru Forester (Photo courtesy of Subaru America Inc.)

Top 10 Lists

Top 10 SUVs With the Lowest TCO for 2006
By Warren Clarke
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So you've decided that your next vehicle will be an SUV. You're in love with the high seating position and roomy cabins offered by these rides; maybe you even plan on taking the thing off-road.

But what you aren't in love with is how much these vehicles can wind up costing in the long term. In some cases, your SUV's fuel expenses alone can put a serious dent in your wallet. When you consider True Cost to OwnSM, or TCOSM, the picture becomes even more daunting. Over a five-year period, an SUV's TCO expenses (which consist of depreciation, financing, insurance, taxes and fees, fuel, maintenance and repairs) can take a sizable bite out of your bank account. (See this Special Report for more information about TCO.)

If you're seeking an SUV that won't set you back too much in depreciation, fuel expense and maintenance, look no further. Using Edmunds.com's TCO calculator, we've generated this list of the 10 SUVs with the lowest five-year true cost to own.

Each model's ranking and TCO figures reflect that of the trim level with the lowest true cost to own.

  1. 2006 Honda CR-V — TCO: $31,593


  2. 2006 Ford Escape — TCO: $33,751


  3. 2006 Mazda Tribute — TCO: $33,932


  4. 2006 Saturn Vue — TCO: $34,094


  5. 2006 Jeep Wrangler — TCO: $35,448


  6. 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander — TCO: $36,396


  7. 2006 Nissan Xterra — TCO: $36,497


  8. 2006 Toyota Highlander — TCO: $36,764


  9. 2006 Chevrolet Equinox — TCO: $36,989


  10. 2006 Subaru Forester — TCO: $37,322