IRVINE, Calif. -

The Chevrolet Cruze and Honda CR-V are each one of the most popular models on Kbb.com and both are among the market’s best sellers. But an analysis by the website revealed that some of the vehicles that are cross-shopped with these two models often offer a better deal when it comes to five-year ownership costs.

“With Total Cost of Ownership information, consumers can better understand the financial implications associated with the initial five years of owning a car,” explained Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.

“As Kelley Blue Book’s data reveals, depending on the model’s MSRP, fuel costs and other financial factors, other models on their consideration lists could offer a greater value over time,” he added.

Take the Cruze, for example. KBB has found that its five-year total cost of ownership of $34,705.

However, the Toyota Corolla — which is cross-shopped by 3.5 percent of Cruze shoppers — has ownership costs of just $32,811. Likewise, the Hyundai Elantra — cross-shopped by 7.8 percent — has five-year costs of $34,123.

These were the only two models ranking ahead of the Cruze in its cross-shopping set. The Honda Civic (cross-shopped by 6.6 percent, ownership costs of $36,344), Ford Focus (6 percent, $36,591) and Volkswagen Jetta (4.4 percent, $36,865) followed the Cruze, respectively.

Officials pointed out that within the ownership costs, the Cruze has $400 to $800 less in gas expenses compared to the Corolla and Elantra. However, these models have lower maintenance and repair costs as well as modestly softer depreciation costs.

Of all the factors KBB considers in calculating ownership costs, the most influential is depreciation, with fuel next on the list.

“In addition, both Corolla and Elantra’s average Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price are nearly $1,000 below the Cruze,” KBB points out. “While the Cruze is listed at a higher initial selling price, after five years all three vehicles are projected to have a value within $500 of each other.”

Next up, the CR-V has a five-year ownership cost of $40,515. But a fellow Honda model — the Civic — has an ownership cost almost $4,200 lower than the CR-V and it is cross-shopped by 10.1 percent of CR-V shoppers.

Additionally, the Hyundai Tucson— cross-shopped by 9.4 percent — totaled just $38,735 in ownership costs.

Like the Cruze, the CR-V had just two models ahead of it in terms of low ownership costs. Owners of the Nissan Rogue – cross-shopped by 8.4 percent – would incur $41,050 in expenses over five years, while the costs for the Toyota RAV4 (21 percent cross-shopping) would come in at $42,004.

For the Honda Accord, 10.4 percent of CR-V shoppers also browsed this model. Its five-year costs came out at $42,894.

Explaining the two models ahead of the CR-V, KBB noted that the Tucson has an average price tag that’s $3,000 below the MSRP of the CR-V and requires $500 less spending at the fuel pump.

As for the Civic, KBB emphasized that while it topped the list, its MSRP is about $22,000. The other five models average about $27,000, thus benefitting the Civic.