As vehicle ownership becomes increasingly expensive, drivers are prioritizing long-term value alongside initial purchase price. A new study from ADAC, the German automobile club, reveals significant differences in the total cost of ownership for various car models. The analysis, which considers five years of expenses including fuel, taxes, maintenance, and depreciation, places the recently launched Dacia Bigster as a standout in affordability-even beating out many electric vehicles in operating costs.
The Dacia Bigster, the Romanian automaker’s newest model, boasts the lowest cost of ownership in its segment, according to a recent analysis by ADAC, the German equivalent of the Automobile Club of Romania. The study, detailed by profit.ro, indicates the Bigster is more affordable to operate than even fully electric vehicles.
Dacia Bigster Ranks Among 2025’s Most Affordable Cars to Operate
ADAC’s annual study evaluates vehicles based on a five-year ownership period and average annual mileage of 15,000 kilometers (approximately 9,320 miles). The assessment incorporates all associated costs, from fuel or electricity to taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The analysis considers depreciation calculated as the difference between the purchase price and resale value, divided by the number of months and kilometers driven.
The findings highlight the growing importance of total cost of ownership for consumers as vehicle prices continue to rise. According to the report, the top three most economical cars to operate in 2025 include two Dacia models:
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Dacia Spring, at 35.4 eurocents per kilometer
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Toyota Aygo X 1.0, at 40.5 eurocents per kilometer
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Dacia Bigster, at 42.2 eurocents per kilometer
The Dacia Duster follows closely behind in fourth place, with operating costs of 44.4 eurocents per kilometer. It’s worth noting that the Bigster and Duster compete in the B-SUV and C-SUV segments, respectively.
Within the mid-size SUV segment, the Bigster significantly undercuts its competitors. The Citroen C5 Aircross comes in second at 60.6 eurocents per kilometer, while the Tesla Model Y is the most expensive at 64.4 eurocents per kilometer.
The most cost-effective Bigster configuration, according to ADAC, is the hybrid and GPL (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) version.
Over a five-year period, the total cost of ownership for the Bigster is estimated at €31,650, equating to €527 per month. This breaks down to €147 in fixed costs, €65 for servicing and tires, and €115 for running expenses – primarily fuel in the form of GPL – plus €199 for depreciation.
The Dacia Duster incurs approximately €2.20 more per kilometer than the Bigster, resulting in monthly expenses of €554. This difference is largely attributed to the higher cost of gasoline compared to GPL.
