Used cars are becoming increasingly difficult to find at affordable prices, as higher new-car prices push more buyers toward the used market and drive up demand for older vehicles.
The average price of a new car in the United States has climbed past $50,000, with consumers increasingly choosing larger vehicles and more expensive features. That higher cost is also affecting the used-car market, where affordable options have become significantly harder to find.
According to a new iSeeCars study analyzing more than 11 million used-car sales from 2019 and 2026 involving vehicles between three and 15 years old, the average price of a three-year-old used car increased from $23,624 in 2019 to $32,651 in 2026. That represents a 38% increase.
Cars Under $20,000 Are Becoming Rare
The shift is particularly noticeable among vehicles priced below $20,000. In 2019, nearly half of all three-year-old used cars sold for less than $20,000. By 2026, that share had fallen to just 11%.
For buyers looking for a better chance of finding a used vehicle below the $20,000 mark, the study indicates that they may need to consider vehicles at least seven years old.
The increase is not limited to luxury vehicles or large SUVs. Several mainstream models have experienced substantial price increases since 2019.
| Model | 2019 Average | 2026 Average | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra | $12,295 | $19,178 | 56.00% |
| Kia Sportage | $16,312 | $24,543 | 50.50% |
| Toyota Camry | $16,567 | $24,829 | 49.90% |
| Honda Civic | $16,430 | $23,771 | 44.70% |
| Ram 1500 | $28,105 | $40,060 | 42.50% |
| Honda CR-V | $20,677 | $29,245 | 41.40% |
| Toyota RAV4 | $20,825 | $29,190 | 40.20% |
| Toyota Corolla | $14,301 | $19,971 | 39.70% |
| Ford F-150 | $31,497 | $43,121 | 36.90% |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | $33,542 | $45,785 | 36.50% |
| Subaru Forester | $20,643 | $27,776 | 34.60% |
| Honda Accord | $18,095 | $24,143 | 33.40% |
| Jeep Wrangler | $25,934 | $34,132 | 31.60% |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $29,910 | $38,778 | 29.60% |
| Toyota Tacoma | $28,521 | $36,621 | 28.40% |
| Hyundai Tucson | $18,337 | $23,486 | 28.10% |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $17,420 | $21,813 | 25.20% |
| Nissan Rogue | $17,791 | $22,085 | 24.10% |
| Ford Explorer | $26,589 | $32,614 | 22.70% |
| Subaru Crosstrek | $20,870 | $24,315 | 16.50% |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | $27,834 | $31,061 | 11.60% |
Used Cars No Longer Automatically Mean Cheap
The biggest change is not simply that used vehicles cost more. The definition of an affordable used car has also shifted.
In 2019, a $20,000 budget could buy a used vehicle that was relatively recent. In 2026, the same amount is more likely to require buyers to consider older models, potentially bringing additional maintenance and repair costs.
According to iSeeCars, buyers who want to find vehicles at prices comparable to those available in 2019 may need to shop for cars that are three or four years older than they would have considered previously.
Higher New-Car Prices Are Reshaping the Used Market
The situation creates a difficult cycle for shoppers. Higher new-car prices push consumers toward used vehicles, but the increased demand for used cars contributes to higher prices in that market as well.
Buying an older vehicle can still reduce the upfront purchase price, but shoppers may have to balance those savings against the potential for higher maintenance and repair costs.
There are still affordable used cars available, but the assumption that buying used automatically solves the affordability problem is becoming harder to sustain in 2026.
