New Vehicles Cost vs. Used Vehicle Cost
In tough economic times it makes sense to maximize every dollar. In terms of car buying, that suggests buying a clean used car instead of springing for the shiny new one. But is buying a used car always cheaper than buying a new vehicle? In most typical economic climates, the answer is a resounding "yes." However, the current economic climate is anything but typical. In fact, the deals on some new cars are so generous they actually make a new car less expensive than both a one-year-old used and certified pre-owned version of the same model.
To illustrate this point, Edmunds.com compared the vehicles' True Market Value® transaction prices and the interest payments typically made for each vehicle. Because used/certified pre-owned cars are generally financed at a higher rate than new cars, a shopper can actually save money by purchasing a new vehicle instead of a used version in some cases.
Since new vehicles have inherent advantages over used vehicles, we also looked at vehicles whose total payment costs for new and used were similar and have included them in our analysis. Below is a list of new vehicles that are either less expensive or nearly the same to buy when compared to their average one-year-old used counterparts:*
See New Vehicles Cost vs. CPO Vehicle Cost
New Vehicles Cost vs. Used Vehicle Cost
Make: A | C | F | H | L | M | N | R | T | V
Vehicle |
Typical Monthly Payment New |
Typical Monthly Payment Used |
Total Savings Over Term |
Acura TSX Sport Wagon Technology Package 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5A) |
$580 |
$554 |
-$1,560 |
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.0L 8cyl 6A) |
$457 |
$445 |
-$720 |
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Work Truck 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A) |
$553 |
$527 |
-$1,560 |
Ford Focus Electric 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) |
$502 |
$511 |
$540 |
Honda Accord LX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) |
$379 |
$363 |
-$960 |
Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A) |
$402 |
$405 |
$180 |
Honda Pilot Touring w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment 4dr SU |
$664 |
$633 |
-$1,860 |
Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6M) |
$291 |
$279 |
-$720 |
Hyundai Elantra Coupe 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6A) |
$333 |
$326 |
-$420 |
Hyundai Elantra GT 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) |
$326 |
$319 |
-$420 |
Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A) |
$342 |
$331 |
-$660 |
Lexus GX 460 4dr SUV 4WD (4.6L 8cyl 6A) |
$868 |
$829 |
-$2,340 |
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback ES 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) |
$304 |
$299 |
-$300 |
Mitsubishi Outlander GT 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A) |
$450 |
$432 |
-$1,080 |
Nissan Frontier S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.5L 4cyl 5M) |
$316 |
$304 |
-$720 |
Nissan Murano SL 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) |
$590 |
$561 |
-$1,740 |
Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) |
$488 |
$469 |
-$1,140 |
Nissan Titan SV 4dr King Cab 4WD SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) |
$583 |
$558 |
-$1,500 |
Ram 2500 Tradesman 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) |
$515 |
$493 |
-$1,320 |
Ram 3500 Laramie 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) |
$762 |
$727 |
-$2,100 |
Ram CV Tradesman 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 6A) |
$358 |
$351 |
-$420 |
Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) |
$532 |
$509 |
-$1,380 |
Toyota Avalon XLE Touring 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$550 |
$567 |
$1,020 |
Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid C |
$645 |
$666 |
$1,260 |
Toyota Camry SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) |
$372 |
$371 |
-$60 |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
$421 |
$421 |
$0 |
Toyota Corolla LE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl CVT) |
$299 |
$288 |
-$660 |
Toyota Prius Three 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid |
$416 |
$434 |
$1,080 |
Toyota Prius c Two 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid C |
$333 |
$334 |
$60 |
Toyota Prius Plug-in 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
$465 |
$499 |
$2,040 |
Toyota Prius v Three 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT |
$444 |
$454 |
$600 |
Toyota RAV4 XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) |
$444 |
$433 |
-$660 |
Toyota RAV4 EV 4dr SUV (electric DD) |
$828 |
$818 |
-$600 |
Toyota Sienna XLE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$537 |
$538 |
$60 |
Toyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl |
$440 |
$420 |
-$1,200 |
Toyota Tundra Platinum FFV 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) |
$808 |
$770 |
-$2,280 |
Toyota Venza XLE 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$560 |
$550 |
-$600 |
Volkswagen Beetle R-Line PZEV 2dr Hatchback (2.0L Turbo 4cyl 6AM) |
$440 |
$458 |
$1,080 |
Volkswagen Jetta 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M) |
$263 |
$250 |
-$780 |
Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn PZEV 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Tu |
$488 |
$479 |
-$540 |
Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) |
$455 |
$448 |
-$420 |
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Below is a list of new vehicles that are either less expensive or nearly the same to buy when compared to their average one-year-old CPO counterparts:*
Make: A | C | F | H | J | L | M | N | R | S | T | V
Vehicle |
Typical Monthly Payment New |
Typical Monthly Payment CPO |
Total Savings Over Term |
Acura RDX Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$654 |
$630 |
-$1,440 |
Acura TSX 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5A) |
$510 |
$494 |
-$960 |
Acura TSX Sport Wagon Technology Package 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5A) |
$580 |
$572 |
-$480 |
Audi allroad Premium quattro 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) |
$688 |
$656 |
-$1,920 |
Audi Q7 3.0T S line Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cy |
$1,039 |
$993 |
-$2,760 |
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.0L 8cyl 6A) |
$457 |
$448 |
-$540 |
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Work Truck 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A) |
$553 |
$528 |
-$1,500 |
Ford Focus Electric 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) |
$502 |
$511 |
$540 |
Honda Accord Sport 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) |
$412 |
$396 |
-$960 |
Honda CR-V LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A) |
$402 |
$412 |
$600 |
Honda Odyssey LX 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$484 |
$461 |
-$1,380 |
Honda Pilot Touring w/Navigation and Rear Entertainment 4dr SU |
$689 |
$662 |
-$1,620 |
Hyundai Accent GLS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 6M) |
$260 |
$249 |
-$660 |
Hyundai Azera 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 6A) |
$520 |
$498 |
-$1,320 |
Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6A) |
$307 |
$304 |
-$180 |
Hyundai Elantra Coupe 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6A) |
$333 |
$343 |
$600 |
Hyundai Elantra GT 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6A) |
$326 |
$337 |
$660 |
Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A) |
$342 |
$352 |
$600 |
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6 |
$523 |
$505 |
-$1,080 |
Hyundai Veloster 3dr Hatchback w/Black Interior (1.6L 4cyl 6M) |
$315 |
$301 |
-$840 |
Jeep Wrangler Sport 2dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 6M) |
$402 |
$385 |
-$1,020 |
Lexus GX 460 4dr SUV 4WD (4.6L 8cyl 6A) |
$868 |
$843 |
-$1,500 |
Mazda Mazda2 Sport 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl 4A) |
$271 |
$263 |
-$480 |
Mazda Mazda3 i Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) |
$323 |
$308 |
-$900 |
Mazda Mazda5 Sport 4dr Minivan (2.5L 4cyl 5A) |
$356 |
$345 |
-$660 |
Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl 5M) |
$409 |
$390 |
-$1,140 |
Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) |
$296 |
$287 |
-$540 |
Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback ES 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) |
$304 |
$309 |
$300 |
Mitsubishi Outlander SE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT) |
$390 |
$376 |
-$840 |
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) |
$340 |
$324 |
-$960 |
Nissan Armada Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A) |
$859 |
$824 |
-$2,100 |
Nissan Frontier S 4dr King Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.5L 4cyl 5M) |
$316 |
$310 |
-$360 |
Nissan Juke SV 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo CVT) |
$387 |
$370 |
-$1,020 |
Nissan Leaf S 4dr Hatchback (3-phase, 4-pole electric DD) |
$462 |
$443 |
-$1,140 |
Nissan Murano SL 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) |
$590 |
$574 |
-$960 |
Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) |
$488 |
$478 |
-$600 |
Nissan Titan SV 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A) |
$578 |
$555 |
-$1,380 |
Ram 2500 Tradesman 4dr Crew Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) |
$515 |
$496 |
-$1,140 |
Ram 3500 Laramie 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) |
$762 |
$725 |
-$2,220 |
Ram CV Tradesman 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 6A) |
$358 |
$359 |
$60 |
Subaru Forester 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M) |
$413 |
$401 |
-$720 |
Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) |
$500 |
$479 |
-$1,260 |
Subaru XV Crosstrek Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) |
$428 |
$415 |
-$780 |
Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) |
$532 |
$512 |
-$1,200 |
Toyota Avalon XLE Touring 4dr Sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$550 |
$567 |
$1,020 |
Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid C |
$645 |
$680 |
$2,100 |
Toyota Camry SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 6A) |
$372 |
$378 |
$360 |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
$421 |
$427 |
$360 |
Toyota Corolla L 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 6M) |
$276 |
$265 |
-$660 |
Toyota Prius Three 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid |
$416 |
$440 |
$1,440 |
Toyota Prius c Two 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid C |
$333 |
$342 |
$540 |
Toyota Prius Plug-in 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) |
$465 |
$516 |
$3,060 |
Toyota Prius v Three 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT |
$444 |
$459 |
$900 |
Toyota RAV4 XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) |
$444 |
$437 |
-$420 |
Toyota RAV4 EV 4dr SUV (electric DD) |
$828 |
$839 |
$660 |
Toyota Sienna XLE 8-Passenger 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$537 |
$535 |
-$120 |
Toyota Tundra Limited 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) |
$721 |
$689 |
-$1,920 |
Toyota Venza XLE 4dr Wagon AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) |
$560 |
$553 |
-$420 |
Volkswagen Beetle R-Line PZEV 2dr Hatchback (2.0L Turbo 4cyl 6AM) |
$440 |
$433 |
-$420 |
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*Edmunds.com assumed a 60-month loan term, no down payment with a typical finance rate for new cars and a typical finance rate for one-year-old used cars. Edmunds.com added in destination charges and gas-guzzler taxes as appropriate. Of all available rebates, only national APR subvention, customer and dealer cash programs were applied; consumers should check the Edmunds.com Incentives and Rebates page to learn if they qualify for additional savings. When manufacturers offer special APR lower than market rate APR, we use the special APR in the calculation. If the vehicle has both customer cash and special APR that allows it to be eligible for this list, we will choose the one with a lower monthly payment to ensure the best program is utilized. Also, consumers should research state sales tax and registration fees to determine their total purchase costs.
Didn't see the car you wanted? Check back as this list will be updated monthly.