Once again, it’s harder to find an affordable used car.
Only about 1 in 9 used cars that are 3 years old now sell for less than $20,000, according to a recent iSeeCars study. That’s down from nearly half of them back in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.
The average 3-year-old used car now costs $32,651. As Karl Brauer, executive analyst for iSeeCars, explains in a summary of the findings:
“Today’s used car prices are among the most powerful examples of the affordability challenge facing consumers. With a $9,000 increase in the average 3-year-old car’s price since 2019, that’s an average of nearly $1,300 per year over seven years.”
That price jump has pushed the age at which most used cars dip below $20,000 from 4 years old to 7. In 2019, just over half (54.1%) of 4-year-old vehicles sold for less than $20,000. Today, shoppers need to look at 7-year-old models before more than half (53%) hit that price.
The same squeeze shows up in some of the most popular cars on the road. Prices for eight of the 21 best-selling used cars iSeeCars tracked rose faster than the 38.2% overall average since 2019, led by mainstream sedans and SUVs built for budget-conscious buyers.
Here’s how prices for the top-selling 3-year-old used cars changed between 2019 and 2026, according to iSeeCars’ analysis of more than 11.4 million used car sales. Models are listed from the lowest average 2026 price to the highest.
- Hyundai Elantra: $19,178 in 2026 (up $6,883, or 56%, from $12,295 in 2019)
- Toyota Corolla: $19,971 (up $5,670, or 39.7%, from $14,301)
- Chevrolet Equinox: $21,813 (up $4,393, or 25.2%, from $17,420)
- Nissan Rogue: $22,085 (up $4,294, or 24.1%, from $17,791)
- Hyundai Tucson: $23,486 (up $5,149, or 28.1%, from $18,337)
- Honda Civic: $23,771 (up $7,341, or 44.7%, from $16,430)
- Honda Accord: $24,143 (up $6,048, or 33.4%, from $18,095)
- Subaru Crosstrek: $24,315 (up $3,445, or 16.5%, from $20,870)
- Kia Sportage: $24,543 (up $8,231, or 50.5%, from $16,312)
- Toyota Camry: $24,829 (up $8,262, or 49.9%, from $16,567)
- Subaru Forester: $27,776 (up $7,133, or 34.6%, from $20,643)
- Toyota RAV4: $29,190 (up $8,365, or 40.2%, from $20,825)
- Honda CR-V: $29,245 (up $8,568, or 41.4%, from $20,677)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: $31,061 (up $3,227, or 11.6%, from $27,834)
- Ford Explorer: $32,614 (up $6,025, or 22.7%, from $26,589)
- Jeep Wrangler: $34,132 (up $8,198, or 31.6%, from $25,934)
- Toyota Tacoma: $36,621 (up $8,100, or 28.4%, from $28,521)
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: $38,778 (up $8,868, or 29.6%, from $29,910)
- Ram 1500: $40,060 (up $11,955, or 42.5%, from $28,105)
- Ford F-150: $43,121 (up $11,624, or 36.9%, from $31,497)
- GMC Sierra 1500: $45,785 (up $12,243, or 36.5%, from $33,542)
Luxury and performance models saw even bigger jumps.
The average price for the Porsche Cayenne increased 75.7%, rising from $50,301 in 2019 to $88,387 in 2026. The Porsche 911 followed at 74%, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class price increased 72.8%.
Not every model got pricier. The Tesla Model X actually got cheaper, falling 17% to $62,689, and the Land Rover Discovery Sport dipped 2.4%.
Thing have changed for shoppers working with a $20,000 budget. Buying an older used car costs less upfront, but it usually means higher maintenance and repair bills down the road.
Shop for more than your car
Car insurance prices are on the rise again too this year. So just as you would shop around for the most affordable car that suits your needs, you can shop around for car insurance. This doesn’t have to mean sitting on the phone with insurance agents, though.
You can get auto insurance prices fast with this free online tool from Insurify that lets you compare real-time quotes side by side. It’s fast, secure and rated 4.7 stars on Trustpilot.
It takes minutes to check and costs you nothing.
And if you want more coverage for a new-to-you car, a plan from Endurance Warranty Services can help.
Endurance offers several coverage levels for cars up to 20 years old, with no mileage limits, so you can choose only the protection you need. Every plan includes 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement, plus a complimentary first year of Elite Benefits (a $29 activation fee applies) covering tires, key fob replacement, windshield repair, and a collision discount.
Because Endurance is a direct provider, it pays the repair shop upfront through a network of 4,000+ certified shops — you just cover your deductible.
Get a quote — it takes about a minute.