by Financial Difficulties When Buying a New Car
Buying a new car can be exciting, but it can also seriously impact your budget. If you’re looking for new transportation and want to stretch your funds as much as possible, you should think twice about the following ten models that are reportedly selling at prices exceeding the official ones.
Unexpected Candidates
Some from the list, such as the Toyota Prius, might seem logical due to its popularity, but the inclusion of the discontinued Chevrolet Malibu will undoubtedly surprise many.
The worst offender, according to Consumer Reports, is the Kia Sportage. Using information from TrueCar and limiting it to specific 2025 model trims priced up to $50,000, the publication found that the Sportage EX AWD costs an average of $33,343, which is approximately seven percent higher than its recommended price of $31,290.
The average price of a new car has crossed the $50,000 mark for the first time in history.
Other Models with Markups
Two more models from Hyundai and Kia also exceed their official prices. The Hyundai Kona SE sells for approximately $26,091, which is six percent more than $24,550, while the new Kia K5 GT has a similar six percent markup, with buyers paying around $35,159 instead of $33,290.
Popularity and Demand
Less surprisingly, this trend continues with the 2025 Toyota Prius LE. Although its recommended price is $28,350, actual transaction prices hover around $29,934, which is a six percent increase and reflects the constant demand for the model.
Pickup truck buyers have also not avoided markups. According to TrueCar, the GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Pro 4WD costs approximately five percent above its list price of $47,500, amounting to $50,185, while the Nissan Frontier King Cab SV 4WD leaves dealerships at a price of around $39,173, which is approximately four percent more than $37,690.
Unexpected List Participants
Consumer Reports also noted several unexpected participants, including the outdated Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Kia Soul, but the biggest surprise is undoubtedly the discontinued 2025 Chevrolet Malibu. Despite production ending in late 2024, TrueCar data indicates that this Chevrolet sedan is somehow receiving a markup as the last units slowly leave dealer lots.
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Trail Edition 2.0 AWC has a five percent markup on its recommended price of $29,245, while the 2025 Kia Soul S, with a list price of $22,990, costs on average around $24,051.
Unique Case of the Chevrolet Malibu
If the TrueCar figures are correct, the Chevrolet Malibu 2LT continues to attract attention even after being discontinued, selling for approximately $32,885, which is about four percent above its list price of $31,500.
Closing the top ten is the Hyundai Palisade SE AWD. With a recommended price of $39,200, it now sells for approximately $40,767, which is a four percent markup over the list price.
Ten Cars Selling Above Recommended Price
| Model | Recommended Price | Average Selling Price | % Above Recommended Price |
| Kia Sportage EX AWD | $31,290 | $33,343 | 7% |
| Hyundai Kona SE | $24,550 | $26,091 | 6% |
| Kia K5 GT | $33,290 | $35,159 | 6% |
| Toyota Prius LE (2025) | $28,350 | $29,934 | 6% |
| GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Pro 4WD | $47,500 | $50,185 | 5% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Trail Edition 2.0 AWC | $29,245 | $30,707 | 5% |
| Kia Soul S (2025) | $22,990 | $24,051 | 5% |
| Nissan Frontier King Cab SV 4WD | $37,690 | $39,173 | 4% |
| Chevrolet Malibu 2LT | $31,500 | $32,885 | 4% |
| Hyundai Palisade SE AWD | $39,200 | $40,767 | 4% |
Source: Consumer Reports, TrueCar
This data indicates that the new car market continues to show instability where supply cannot keep up with demand for certain models. Even discontinued cars like the Chevrolet Malibu can become objects of investment or rare purchases due to their limited availability. Such phenomena are often linked to global issues in supply chains, affecting the availability of new vehicles and forcing buyers to pay more for desired models.
