RACV created this guide to provide vehicle operating costs for 94 popular new vehicles from information obtained leading up to June 2011. The calculations include the cost of financing the vehicle, depreciation, scheduled services, registration, insurance, fuel, tyres, etc. The calculations are provided as a guide to the car operating costs of a vehicle over a five year, 75,000 km (15,000 km per year) period.

The guide has cost estimates for light, small, medium and large cars as well as people movers, SUVs and utes.