10 cheapest cars to own and operate in 2012

• Price: $18,950
• Gas mileage: 4.44 L per 100 km city/ 5.11 L per 100 km highway
• Five-year cost to maintain: $31,346
• Cost per km: 42 cents

Almost a brand within a brand, Toyota added the Prius C One for 2012 to its three-model Prius lineup. It is the smallest in the group of cheapest cars to own. It's tiny, really. Because of its size, it gets a somewhat smaller version of the hybrid system found in the rest of the Prius family. Its 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and electric motors combine to generate 99 horsepower funneled through a continuously variable transmission.

Among the standard features: automatic climate control, split-folding rear seat, full power accessories, remote keyless entry, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, trip computer, and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and iPod interface.