Price: $20,670

Five-year true cost of ownership: $31,540

The Altima 2.5 is a popular workhorse family sedan that not only is relatively inexpensive to own, but also has the lowest suggested retail price on this list. Output from its 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine is passed to the front wheels by a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT. The EPA estimates its fuel economy at 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. The cabin is roomy and the trunk has more than 15 cubic feet of cargo room.

Contributing to the low sale price is the lack of an audio system. It has four prewired speakers, but an audio system is not even an option. Otherwise, the Altima 2.5 is well-equipped with full power accessories, cruise control, air conditioning, trip computer and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel.