Honda has won 5 categories in Edmunds.com's 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own awards. They name the 2011 car and trucks in 23 categories with the lowest projected ownership cost in a 5 year period. The Accord won the Coupe $25-$35K category while also winning the Sedan $20-$30K category while the Civic Hybrid won the hybrid category, the Pilot winning the SUV $35-45K category and the Ridgeline nailing the Large Light Duty truck category.
One of the key factors were free maintenance plans that helped push the award winners to the top. Edmunds.com uses an algorithm that takes into account depreciation, financing interest, taxes and fees, fuel, maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums assuming these vehicles are driven 15 000 miles per year.
