Summary:

  • The average new car is priced 7.2 percent above MSRP, a drop from 8.9 percent above MSRP a year ago
  • The MINI Hardtop and four Porsche models (Taycan sedan, Cayenne, Macan, Taycan wagon) are the top five cars priced highest above MSRP
  • Four electric cars (Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen ID.4, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 6) and the Ford F-150 hybrid are priced the lowest below MSRP 
  • The gap between dealer pricing and MSRP is slowly narrowing, with EVs averaging the smallest premium at 6.1 percent over MSRP.

New car pricing continues to fall relative to MSRP. A year ago, the average new car was priced at $45,597, or 8.9 percent above MSRP, but today the average new car is priced at $45,880, or 7.2 percent above MSRP. iSeeCars analyzed the pricing of over 16 million new car sales between January 2023 and January 2024, and confirmed the average new car MSRP has increased by $904 in the past year, but average dealer pricing increased by less than $300, thus the closing gap. 

Premium and performance cars remain the most expensive models, with the MINI Hardtop and four Porsche models all priced more than 20 percent above MSRP. Electric cars are at the opposite end of the pricing spectrum, making up six of the 10 lowest-priced models. The Hyundai Kona Electric is 4.6 percent below MSRP, followed by the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford F-150 hybrid, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 6 rounding out the five models priced the farthest below MSRP. 

Weakening demand for EVs is confirmed when looking at pricing by vehicle type. Among major segments, sedans and trucks have the strongest pricing, at 8.0 percent and 7.5 percent above MSRP, respectively. EVs are the weakest, at 6.5 percent above MSRP. 

Average New Car Price vs. MSRP for Major Segments: January 2023 vs. 2024 – iSeeCars Study
Segment Price vs. MSRP Jan. 2024 Price vs. MSRP Jan. 2023 Average Price Jan. 2024 Average Price Jan. 2023 Average MSRP Jan. 2024 Average MSRP Jan. 2023
Overall Average 7.2% 8.9% $45,880 $45,597 $42,789 $41,885
Gas Cars 7.3% 8.9% $44,492 $44,774 $41,453 $41,102
Hybrid Cars 7.1% 8.5% $47,571 $48,324 $44,400 $44,554
EVs* 6.1% 8.3% $65,413 $61,529 $61,641 $56,810
SUVs 7.0% 8.4% $46,650 $46,176 $43,616 $42,603
Trucks 7.5% 10.1% $53,774 $52,030 $50,016 $47,243
Sedans 8.0% 9.5% $38,586 $38,906 $35,724 $35,526
* Excludes Tesla

“Supply is gradually catching up with demand, which means even as new car MSRP rises the ability for dealers to charge over MSRP falls,” said Karl Brauer, iSeeCars Executive Analyst. “At some point we’ll get back to pre-COVID new car pricing. But we’re not there yet, and at this rate it’s still at least a few years out.”

 

Performance and luxury cars still command a premium

While the average new car is priced 7.2 percent above MSRP, the MINI Cooper Hardtop is almost four times that premium at 25.5 percent. Four MINI models make the top 20 list of cars priced above MSRP, but Porsche has MINI beat, with six models in the top 20 and five models in the top 10. Premium brands make up 18 of the top 20 vehicles, with only the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid crossover and Ford Maverick compact pickup representing mainstream brands.
Top 20 New Cars Priced Highest Above MSRP: January 2024 – iSeeCars Study
Rank Model Price vs. MSRP Average Price Average MSRP
1 MINI Hardtop 25.5% $37,473 $29,858
2 Porsche Taycan (sedan) 23.1% $137,729 $111,893
3 Porsche Cayenne 21.9% $105,574 $86,593
4 Porsche Macan 21.3% $80,421 $66,310
5 Porsche Taycan (wagon) 20.9% $146,594 $121,248
6 Cadillac CT5-V 20.0% $67,254 $56,043
7 Porsche 718 Boxster 19.9% $99,848 $83,301
8 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 19.4% $33,719 $28,248
9 BMW X3 M 19.4% $90,057 $75,448
10 Cadillac CT4-V 19.3% $66,633 $55,873
11 Porsche 718 Cayman 18.9% $105,910 $89,092
12 Genesis GV70 18.8% $58,646 $49,351
13 MINI Countryman 18.7% $40,757 $34,337
14 MINI Clubman 18.7% $43,238 $36,435
15 Lexus LS 500 18.6% $94,962 $80,072
16 Mercedes-Benz GLE 18.6% $82,399 $69,500
17 Ford Maverick 18.2% $33,098 $27,996
18 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (electric) 17.8% $36,434 $30,918
19 Genesis GV80 17.4% $70,080 $59,677
20 Audi RS 6 Avant 17.4% $147,482 $125,609
Overall Average 7.2% $45,880 $42,789
“It’s interesting to see one MINI and two Porsche EVs in the top 20 list when EVs make up a majority of the top 10 lowest-priced list,” noted Brauer. “Clearly MINI and Porsche are modulating their EV production to better align with demand. Hybrids like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Ford Maverick are also in high demand and, apparently, short supply.”

 

Electric vehicles, large trucks and SUVs fall below MSRP

Electric vehicles and large trucks and SUVs make up the bulk of vehicles priced at or below MSRP. The loss of the federal tax incentive for Hyundai and Kia EVs over the past year is undoubtedly forcing dealers to price these models more competitively. Large trucks and SUVs due for a redesign are also not seeing the demand they enjoyed during COVID. 
Top 20 New Cars Priced Below (or Close To) MSRP: January 2024 – iSeeCars Study
Rank Model Price vs. MSRP Avg Price Avg MSRP
1 Hyundai Kona Electric -4.6% $36,211 $37,964
2 Volkswagen ID.4 -3.6% $48,740 $50,547
3 Ford F-150 (hybrid) -3.3% $82,132 $84,910
4 Kia EV6 -2.5% $52,004 $53,315
5 Hyundai Ioniq 6 -2.4% $47,691 $48,861
6 Nissan Maxima -2.2% $42,234 $43,163
7 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid -2.0% $53,263 $54,329
8 Nissan Ariya -1.9% $50,751 $51,734
9 Hyundai Ioniq 5 -1.9% $50,477 $51,455
10 Volkswagen Arteon -1.8% $47,852 $48,734
11 Buick Envision -1.2% $40,386 $40,876
12 Infiniti QX80 -1.0% $83,876 $84,734
13 Ram 1500 Classic -0.6% $41,693 $41,966
14 Jeep Renegade -0.5% $29,537 $29,679
15 Nissan Armada -0.3% $63,300 $63,470
16 Maserati Levante 0.1% $102,899 $102,818
17 Maserati GranTurismo 0.1% $185,777 $185,529
18 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 0.3% $102,743 $102,391
19 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 0.4% $52,210 $52,008
20 GMC Sierra 1500 0.4% $63,006 $62,725
Overall Average 7.2% $45,880 $42,789
“While finding a discount on a new vehicle remains a challenge, it’s much easier for EV, large truck and SUV shoppers,” said Brauer. “The market appears to have reached a saturation point for electric vehicles, with both prices and sales struggling compared to a year ago. The high cost of full-size trucks and SUVs, along with the cost of fueling them in the face of inflation and reduced consumer spending power, has dampened demand for these notoriously pricey vehicles.”

 

Luxury brands still in demand

When ranked by brand, luxury nameplates still pull high prices relative to MSRP. Of the 13 brands averaging better than 7.2 percent above MSRP, 10 of them are luxury brands. Ford, Toyota and Subaru are also above average in price, while Volvo has fallen below the average. Buick, Acura, and Infiniti are at the bottom of the list.
Average New Car Price vs. MSRP by Brand: January 2024 – iSeeCars Study
Rank Make Price vs. MSRP Avg Price Avg MSRP
1 Porsche 19.9% $107,211 $89,396
2 MINI 17.4% $40,143 $34,189
3 Genesis 13.0% $62,485 $55,275
4 Land Rover 12.9% $86,924 $77,019
5 Lexus 11.1% $57,908 $52,136
6 BMW 10.7% $74,395 $67,178
7 Mercedes-Benz 10.5% $83,181 $75,263
8 Lincoln 10.1% $65,426 $59,432
9 Audi 9.3% $66,443 $60,766
10 Ford 9.1% $48,261 $44,238
11 Toyota 8.8% $41,559 $38,203
12 Subaru 7.8% $36,227 $33,615
13 Cadillac 7.6% $70,160 $65,185
Overall Average 7.2% $45,880 $42,789
14 Ram 6.8% $58,990 $55,249
15 Chevrolet 6.4% $41,828 $39,300
16 Nissan 6.2% $34,130 $32,139
17 Mitsubishi 6.1% $31,277 $29,480
18 Kia 5.8% $36,221 $34,241
19 GMC 5.8% $57,573 $54,442
20 Jeep 5.4% $54,441 $51,672
21 Alfa Romeo 4.9% $53,054 $50,593
22 Dodge 4.8% $43,510 $41,531
23 Hyundai 4.7% $36,975 $35,312
24 Mazda 4.6% $36,129 $34,527
25 Volvo 4.1% $60,153 $57,774
26 Volkswagen 4.1% $38,377 $36,882
27 Honda 3.6% $36,124 $34,878
28 Chrysler 3.4% $48,473 $46,867
29 Buick 3.0% $38,269 $37,165
30 Acura 2.5% $49,912 $48,686
31 Infiniti 1.8% $59,505 $58,458
“The combination of improving new vehicle supply and falling consumer confidence is clear when looking at brand pricing,” said Brauer. “With an affluent buyer base, most luxury divisions haven’t felt the sting of the macroeconomic factors impacting mainstream consumers – at least not yet. But the past year’s downward shift in new vehicle pricing should continue, suggesting we’ll see more models, and brands, fall below MSRP in 2024.”

New Cars Priced Highest Above MSRP and Lowest Below MSRP by Metro Area

New Vehicles Priced Highest Above and Lowest Below MSRP by Metro Area, January 2024 – iSeeCars Study
Metro Area New Cars Priced Highest Above MSRP New Cars Priced Lowest Below MSRP
Model Price vs. MSRP Avg Price Avg MSRP Model Price vs. MSRP Avg Price Avg MSRP
Albuquerque-Santa Fe, NM Chevrolet Camaro 27.0% $44,776 $35,250 Jeep Grand Cherokee L -4.5% $53,191 $55,697
Atlanta, GA MINI Hardtop 26.2% $38,260 $30,320 Hyundai Kona Electric -11.0% $35,590 $40,002
Austin, TX Mitsubishi Mirage G4 33.7% $24,562 $18,365 Buick Envision -6.5% $37,298 $39,890
Baltimore, MD MINI Hardtop 25.7% $36,920 $29,373 Volkswagen ID.4 -9.3% $47,366 $52,249
Birmingham, AL Porsche Macan 22.1% $80,502 $65,954 Alfa Romeo Giulia -9.2% $55,939 $61,620
Boston, MA-Manchester, NH MINI Hardtop 25.9% $36,461 $28,964 Hyundai Kona Electric -5.1% $35,887 $37,823
Charlotte, NC MINI Hardtop 29.1% $39,031 $30,225 Hyundai Ioniq 5 -4.6% $50,484 $52,942
Chicago, IL MINI Hardtop 27.5% $38,272 $30,023 Ford F-150 (hybrid) -8.4% $77,794 $84,910
Cincinnati, OH MINI Countryman 25.9% $43,119 $34,250 Dodge Durango -6.3% $63,423 $67,711
Cleveland-Akron (Canton), OH Porsche Cayenne 21.6% $106,613 $87,681 Alfa Romeo Giulia -6.8% $53,084 $56,955
Columbus, OH Porsche Macan 24.2% $79,505 $64,030 Mercedes-Benz GLS -7.2% $109,447 $117,908
Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX MINI Hardtop 27.6% $37,971 $29,767 Nissan Maxima -7.7% $40,529 $43,923
Denver, CO MINI Hardtop 30.3% $39,258 $30,140 Volkswagen ID.4 -20.6% $42,001 $52,873
Detroit, MI MINI Hardtop 24.7% $36,499 $29,259 Hyundai Ioniq 5 -5.2% $50,296 $53,029
Fresno-Visalia, CA Ford Maverick 36.1% $34,814 $25,588 Nissan Ariya -3.5% $51,080 $52,917
Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo, MI Jeep Wrangler 23.5% $54,120 $43,807 Kia EV6 -2.6% $54,356 $55,782
Greensboro-Winston Salem, NC Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 23.9% $34,955 $28,220 Dodge Durango -11.7% $60,576 $68,641
Greenville-Spartanburg, SC Mercedes-Benz GLC 21.9% $61,185 $50,205 Jeep Renegade -5.0% $27,572 $29,033
Harrisburg-Lancaster-York, PA Land Rover Defender 24.1% $74,533 $60,070 GMC Sierra 1500 -5.8% $69,110 $73,347
Hartford & New Haven, CT Jeep Wrangler 20.7% $53,851 $44,634 Kia EV6 -6.3% $53,025 $56,563
Houston, TX Porsche Cayenne 24.1% $101,904 $82,142 Volkswagen ID.4 -9.3% $43,521 $47,959
Indianapolis, IN Genesis GV70 23.9% $58,685 $47,350 Hyundai Ioniq 5 -6.0% $50,269 $53,465
Jacksonville, FL Cadillac CT5 21.5% $51,243 $42,180 Dodge Durango -6.7% $59,255 $63,480
Kansas City, MO Lincoln Aviator 22.7% $74,864 $61,002 Dodge Durango -5.1% $63,093 $66,464
Las Vegas, NV Porsche Cayenne 31.1% $107,043 $81,655 Kia Niro EV -5.4% $38,297 $40,473
Los Angeles, CA MINI Hardtop 23.0% $37,134 $30,195 Jeep Cherokee -5.9% $35,477 $37,695
Louisville, KY Porsche Cayenne 27.7% $102,797 $80,469 INFINITI QX80 -7.6% $79,307 $85,832
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL Porsche Macan 24.6% $81,690 $65,554 Jeep Cherokee -10.6% $33,747 $37,758
Milwaukee, WI Porsche Cayenne 26.7% $103,749 $81,870 Kia EV6 -7.9% $51,571 $56,000
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN MINI Hardtop 27.2% $36,646 $28,800 Volkswagen ID.4 -13.5% $45,037 $52,093
Nashville, TN Porsche Cayenne 29.1% $104,619 $81,067 Volkswagen ID.4 -3.7% $48,507 $50,386
New York, NY MINI Hardtop 25.1% $37,017 $29,581 Hyundai Kona Electric -3.7% $36,717 $38,147
Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News,VA Chevrolet Camaro 22.3% $45,143 $36,900 Hyundai Ioniq 5 -5.0% $48,928 $51,488
Oklahoma City, OK Jaguar F-PACE 21.9% $71,240 $58,462 Jeep Renegade -10.3% $27,259 $30,390
Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL Porsche Macan 26.7% $88,368 $69,729 Mercedes-Benz G-Class -10.5% $208,598 $233,115
Philadelphia, PA MINI Hardtop 29.7% $39,893 $30,759 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class -11.4% $132,611 $149,590
Phoenix, AZ Porsche Macan 27.4% $85,841 $67,354 Kia Niro EV -7.3% $38,916 $41,989
Pittsburgh, PA Porsche Cayenne 26.7% $106,684 $84,212 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid -11.8% $47,304 $53,660
Portland, OR MINI Hardtop 25.9% $38,165 $30,315 Nissan Ariya -9.9% $48,702 $54,042
Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville), NC Porsche Cayenne 29.3% $105,558 $81,663 Buick Envision -6.2% $39,650 $42,283
Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, CA Porsche Cayenne 26.5% $106,106 $83,862 Hyundai Kona Electric -7.7% $35,276 $38,239
Salt Lake City, UT Porsche Macan 23.7% $80,792 $65,305 Hyundai Ioniq 5 -13.7% $45,093 $52,246
San Antonio, TX MINI Hardtop 27.8% $37,769 $29,550 Buick Envision -6.8% $38,516 $41,329
San Diego, CA Porsche Taycan 28.1% $154,787 $120,800 Volkswagen ID.4 -7.6% $47,323 $51,197
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA Porsche Taycan 27.4% $126,265 $99,071 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class -6.9% $132,843 $142,736
Seattle-Tacoma, WA MINI Hardtop 25.2% $37,931 $30,300 Hyundai Kona Electric -10.1% $34,068 $37,916
St. Louis, MO Genesis GV70 20.0% $58,577 $48,810 Nissan Ariya -11.7% $44,531 $50,455
Tampa-St Petersburg (Sarasota), FL Porsche Cayenne 28.5% $107,035 $83,271 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 -8.1% $16,571 $18,040
Washington, DC (Hagerstown, MD) MINI Hardtop 25.7% $36,786 $29,263 Jeep Renegade -8.9% $26,949 $29,587
West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, FL Porsche Macan 25.3% $81,145 $64,747 Dodge Charger -9.5% $34,159 $37,761
Methodology

iSeeCars analyzed over 16 million new car sales from January 2023 to January 2024. The average list prices of new cars, as well as the average of their MSRPs, were aggregated by month, as well as by body style, fuel type, and model. Heavy-duty vehicles and low-volume models were excluded from further analysis. The differences between average prices and average MSRP were expressed as percentage differences.

 

 

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iSeeCars.com is a data-driven car search and research company that helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, including the iSeeCars VIN Check report and Best Cars Rankings. iSeeCars has saved users over $423 million so far by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points and using proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new cars and used cars.