Americans Keep Buying More Luxury Cars

The price of the average new car in America sat 6.1% higher at the end of September than it did one year before, partially due to inflation. But another factor is driving prices to new highs: Americans are choosing more expensive cars.

Luxury vehicles made up nearly 18% of new car sales in September. That’s almost 3% higher than two years ago and up more than 5% from a decade before. We’ve seen a higher percentage only twice — in December 2021 and June 2022.

American car shoppers’ tastes have changed, with SUVs making up a greater percentage of new car sales than ever before. Compact and midsize SUVs, combined with full-size pickups, make up nearly half of new vehicle sales.

But our taste for luxury cars is also growing. According to Kelley Blue Book’s parent company Cox Automotive, the average car payment was $738 in September.