AN RACV survey has shown that the Toyota Camry V6 is the most affordable family car to own in Australia.
Owners choosing the Camry V6 can expect to save up to $1500 per year compared to its large car segment rivals, the Holden Commodore Executive, Ford Falcon XT and Mitsubishi Magna ES.
The RACV found that Camry V6 costs $672 less than the V6 Commodore over the course of a year, $860 less than the the sixcylinder Falcon and $1478 less than the Magna V6.
The fourcylinder, 2.4litre Camry is similarly dominant in the medium car segment, costing $666 less than the 2.3litre Mazda6 Limited and $1063 less than the smaller twolitre Subaru Liberty.
Based on 15,000 kilometres of travel per year, the survey indicated fleet operators stood to save even more because their vehicles generally travelled much greater distances than privately owned equivalents.
Although fuel costs have increased during the survey period, the RACV said that greater depreciation, higher interest rates and an increase in workshop labour rates had largely contributed to an increase in car ownership costs.
Depreciation has increased as a result of record new car sale levels in the last two years, which has resulted in a surplus of used cars on the market.
Toyota Australia’s divisional marketing manager Matthew Callachor said the survey confirmed the strong value of Toyota vehicles.
“Toyotas have long enjoyed strong resale values because of their hardearned reputation for reliability and dependability,” he said.
“This survey proves that Camry represents the best value for anyone looking for a dependable and costeffective family car.
“It also shows why fleets are increasingly looking at both V6 and fourcylinder Camrys as a viable and attractive alternative to their traditional ‘bigsix’ competitors.”
The RACV said: “It is standing costs that give the Toyota Camry a clear advantage over its competition.”
Those costs include depreciation, interest costs associated with loan repayments, registration, licensing and insurance – the costs associated with owning a vehicle even if it does not leave its owner’s driveway.
These, combined with running costs such as fuel, tyres and servicing, add to the total cost of ownership over a full year, based on a fiveyear ownership period.
