- The average new car buyer in America paid $49,814 in November — 1.3% higher than a year ago
- We often see the highest prices of the year in December, so prices could cross the $50,000 line to end the year
The average new car buyer in America paid $49,814 in November, about 1.3% higher than a year ago. That’s an increase of just $54 from October’s average. But we often see the highest prices of the year in December, so prices could cross the $50,000 mark before 2025 is out.
Related: Is Now the Time to Buy, Sell, or Trade-In a Car?
Dealers discounted the average car by 6.7% last month, down from 7.9% at the same time last year. Throughout the year 2025, the average incentive worked out to 7% of the final sale price.
Americans Are Choosing More Expensive Cars
- Americans bought more cars priced over $75,000 than under $30,000
Full-size trucks continued to push the average higher, with the average full-size pickup selling for $70,178 during the month. Full-size trucks accounted for 14.2% of all new vehicles sold.
Sales of the least-expensive cars continued to wane. Vehicles with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) below $30,000 made up just 7.5% of all new cars sold. By comparison, 10.8% of all new vehicles sold for $75,000 or more.
“It’s important to remember that the [average price] reflects what consumers choose to buy, not what’s available,” explains Cox Automotive Executive Analyst Erin Keating. “Many new-car buyers today are in their peak earning years and are less price-sensitive, opting for vehicles at the higher end of the market to get the features and experiences they value most.”
Cox Automotive is the parent company of Kelley Blue Book.
Electric vehicle (EV) prices fell, down 0.8% from October’s figure. The federal government ended a $7,500 EV tax rebate in September, but many automakers have matched or exceeded its value with their own discounts.
