In Less Than a Year, You Might Not Be Able To Afford These Cars Quickly Rising in Price

According to Kelly Blue Book , the average cost of a new car was $48,334 last summer. Even used vehicles, which historically have been cheaper, are still priced fairly high, with an average cost at the beginning of 2024 at $25,328.

But these are for just your standard vehicle. Certain ones, like luxury models and full-size trucks, can cost much more. Even now, the typical buyer may not be able to afford certain makes or models.

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For those of you who are wondering what vehicles that are rising in price will soon become unaffordable, here’s what the experts say .

Cadillacs

Cadillacs vary widely in price. For example, the 2024 Cadillac CT4 has a starting price of $35,990, per Car and Driver. Compare that with the 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, and you’ll find a starting price of $96,000.

A major reason for this cost difference is tied to the fact that the CT4 strives to be a more entry-level Cadillac and so has entry-level pricing. The Blackwing, meanwhile, is marketed as a more premium sports sedan. Still, luxury vehicles like Cadillacs are becoming more expensive.

“I’ve watched car prices skyrocket over the decades. Luxury vehicles like Cadillacs, Lincolns and high-end Mercedes have become unattainable for most,” said David J. Greiner, Esq., a former car dealership owner and current president of Greiner Law Corp. “When I started my career, you could get a base model Cadillac for under $30,000. Now the average Cadillac costs over $50,000.”

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Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas and Toyota Camrys

Some cars, like Toyota Corollas and Honda Civics, are marketed to buyers who don’t want to spend a lot of money to purchase a reliable vehicle. But with car prices increasing across the board, even these vehicles could become less affordable in the near future — though it may take more than a year to get there.

“Average new vehicle transaction prices have nearly doubled since 2000, far outpacing inflation, according to Kelley Blue Book,” Greiner said. “Back then, the average new vehicle price was around $24,000. Today, it’s nearly $40,000 … Compact cars have gone from $15,000 to $22,000 or more for models like the Civic and Corolla.”

The 2025 Toyota Corolla costs an estimated $24,000, according to Car and Driver. The previous year’s model had a starting price of around $23,000. This might not seem like a significant jump, but when you tack on the increasing cost of car ownership — and financing fees — it can start to add up.

According to Emil Sultanov, automotive expert and founder of Long Term Car Rental , Corollas and Camrys have both gone up by around $5,000 in the past five or so years. That’s an average increase of about $1,000 a year.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Luxury vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz have always been expensive, but they’ve become increasingly so. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs an estimated $118,450, per Car and Driver. The 2022 model has a starting MSRP of about $112,000. That’s roughly $6,000 more in just two years.

“The Mercedes S-Class has gone from $70,000 in the 1990s to well over $100,000 today,” Greiner said. “While new technology and safety features account for some of the increase, a lot comes down to demand and what consumers are willing to pay.

“Interest rates have also been low, allowing people to finance more expensive vehicles. But with rates rising and wages stagnant, the pool of buyers who can afford pricey new cars will likely shrink. The industry will either have to hold the line on prices or risk significantly lower sales.”

Ford Trucks

“The Ford F-150’s price has escalated from $28,000 in 2018 to around $35,500 in 2024,” Sultanov said. That’s an increase of about $7,500 in just six years.

Some Ford F-150s cost even more than that. For example, Car and Driver estimated that the newest model goes for around $38,960 or more. This price point does include certain upgrades.

Lincolns

Lincolns are another of those luxury brands that were already expensive but are quickly becoming less affordable. “Lincolns were once $35,000-$40,000, now $55,000 and up,” Greiner said.

For context, the 2024 Lincoln Corsair has a starting price of $40,385, per Car and Driver. The 2020 version’s starting MSRP was $36,940. The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, meanwhile, starts at $60,275. The model from four years ago started at closer to $52,000.

Other Full-Size Trucks and SUVs

If you’re thinking about buying a truck, be aware of the price hikes.

“Anything in the truck category is quickly becoming unaffordable,” said Melanie Musson, an auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org . “A four-wheel drive 3/4 ton RAM can cost over $70,000. An F-250 can cost anywhere from $60,000 to almost $100,000. Ten years ago, a new F-250 cost between $32,000 and $52,000.”

It’s not just trucks that have seen increased unaffordability. Some full-size SUVs have gone up significantly too.

“Even full-size SUVs built on a truck chassis are becoming unaffordable,” Musson said. “A Chevrolet Suburban starts at about $60,000, but most people opt for models that cost in the $75,000 range. Ten years ago, a starting model cost about $47,000, and most people opted for versions in the $55,000 to $60,000 price range.”

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : In Less Than a Year, You Might Not Be Able To Afford These Cars Quickly Rising in Price