Worst Deals on New Cars Right Now

In some cases, you might think it’s worth paying more for your dream vehicle, even if it means greater depreciation over time. For other vehicles, it may be better to seek a suitable, more plentiful alternative. Be careful not to get drawn into overpaying for a 2026, as the 2027s are coming out soon. In some cases, they are at dealers now.

A trend we’re routinely seeing is that work-oriented trucks (notably the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 Hybrid this month), low-priced vehicles, special-edition sports cars, and front-drive SUVs are more often the models selling for over sticker price. Plus, many of these, as you’ll see in the ratings below, aren’t among the best or most reliable vehicles in their class. Flexibility is key. Another model, even if it has a slightly higher sticker price, can often be a better long-term choice.

Based on data from TrueCar, a CR partner, we’re presenting the 10 cars and SUVs selling for the most above sticker price, starting with the largest differentials and using specific trims as examples. Every model here is selling for at least 3 percent over the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. We focused on those that consistently sell for over the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, rather than just high-demand trims, based on national prices. Regional supply and demand factors may be different where you live. All are selling for under $50,000.

CR members will see ratings highlights and detailed pricing on specific trims and configurations. Keep in mind that this list doesn’t factor in Consumer Reports’ recommendations, nor do we endorse paying such premiums for a new car. 

Of course, local pricing may differ. You can see the transaction prices for these and every other mainstream vehicle on the model pages by clicking through the ratings boxes below or by searching our interactive New Car Ratings & Reliability chart.

For smarter buys, see the best deals on new cars and new SUVs now, and browse the list of the most-discounted cars.