GITNUXREPORT 2026

Car Buying Statistics

New car sales jumped in 2023 with electric and hybrid vehicles gaining major popularity.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

76% of buyers visited 2-3 dealerships before purchase.

Statistic 2

92% of car buyers used the internet for research in 2023.

Statistic 3

Average time from research to purchase was 14 days.

Statistic 4

41% of buyers started shopping on manufacturer websites.

Statistic 5

Test drives averaged 25 minutes per vehicle tested.

Statistic 6

63% negotiated price via email or app before visiting.

Statistic 7

Dealer websites were visited by 78% of shoppers.

Statistic 8

29% used virtual tools like 360 views or configurators.

Statistic 9

Average negotiation saved buyers $1,250 off MSRP.

Statistic 10

54% brought pre-approved financing to dealership.

Statistic 11

Phone calls to dealers averaged 3.2 per buyer.

Statistic 12

45% completed F&I paperwork digitally.

Statistic 13

Reviews on Google influenced 68% of final decisions.

Statistic 14

37% attended group buying events or co-ops.

Statistic 15

Average walk-in rate at dealers was 22% of traffic.

Statistic 16

81% compared at least 3 models before buying.

Statistic 17

Video walkarounds viewed by 51% of remote shoppers.

Statistic 18

64% prioritized in-person inspection over delivery.

Statistic 19

Trade-in appraisals done online by 73% first.

Statistic 20

28% backed out due to bait-and-switch pricing.

Statistic 21

Average time in F&I office was 52 minutes.

Statistic 22

49% used mobile apps for payment setup.

Statistic 23

Peer recommendations swayed 59% of purchases.

Statistic 24

35% scheduled service during purchase visit.

Statistic 25

Home test drives offered to 42% of online leads.

Statistic 26

77% read owner forums before deciding.

Statistic 27

Paperwork signing took 22 minutes on average digitally.

Statistic 28

61% verified VIN and Carfax pre-purchase.

Statistic 29

Multi-dealer bidding used by 19% via platforms.

Statistic 30

84-month financing presented to 33% of buyers.

Statistic 31

Millennials represented 38% of new car buyers in a 2023 survey of 12,000 consumers.

Statistic 32

52% of Gen Z car buyers prioritized fuel efficiency over performance.

Statistic 33

Women accounted for 49% of new vehicle purchasers in 2023.

Statistic 34

Households earning over $100K/year made up 42% of luxury car buyers.

Statistic 35

61% of first-time buyers were under 35 years old in 2023 data.

Statistic 36

Hispanic buyers increased to 22% of total U.S. new car market.

Statistic 37

45% of buyers in rural areas preferred trucks over sedans.

Statistic 38

Baby boomers (55+) comprised 28% of EV intenders in surveys.

Statistic 39

Single buyers without children were 19% of compact car purchasers.

Statistic 40

African American buyers favored 22-inch wheels in 37% of purchases.

Statistic 41

67% of urban millennials shopped online first for cars.

Statistic 42

Retirees over 65 bought 15% more convertibles than average.

Statistic 43

Families with children under 12 preferred 7+ seaters in 55% cases.

Statistic 44

Low-income buyers (<$50K) were 24% of used subcompact sales.

Statistic 45

39% of Asian American buyers chose hybrids in 2023.

Statistic 46

Male buyers aged 25-34 averaged 2.1 test drives per purchase.

Statistic 47

Empty nesters (50-64) selected luxury brands at 31% rate.

Statistic 48

51% of female buyers under 40 negotiated price successfully.

Statistic 49

Veterans comprised 9% of new truck buyers, favoring domestics.

Statistic 50

College-educated buyers were 72% of EV purchasers.

Statistic 51

Southern U.S. buyers preferred V8 engines in 28% of trucks.

Statistic 52

LGBTQ+ buyers showed 18% higher interest in EVs.

Statistic 53

Self-employed individuals bought 14% more convertibles.

Statistic 54

44% of buyers with kids prioritized safety ratings above 5-star.

Statistic 55

Remote workers increased van purchases by 11% for cargo space.

Statistic 56

56% of Hispanic millennials leased their vehicles.

Statistic 57

Buyers over 70 averaged $52,000 spend on new cars.

Statistic 58

Tech professionals chose performance sedans at 23% rate.

Statistic 59

Average new vehicle loan amount was $41,444 with 6.8% APR in Q4 2023.

Statistic 60

85% of new car buyers financed their purchase in 2023.

Statistic 61

Average down payment on new cars was 10.2% or $5,000 in 2023.

Statistic 62

Lease penetration reached 22% of new vehicle transactions.

Statistic 63

Subprime auto loan originations grew 4% to $162 billion.

Statistic 64

Average used car loan term extended to 69.1 months in 2023.

Statistic 65

Cash buyers dropped to 9% of new vehicle sales.

Statistic 66

Prime borrowers saw average APR of 6.75% on 72-month loans.

Statistic 67

14% of leases included maintenance packages in 2023.

Statistic 68

Average monthly payment hit $742 for new cars financed over 68 months.

Statistic 69

Trade-in values averaged $25,100 for vehicles under 3 years old.

Statistic 70

31% of buyers rolled negative equity into new loans.

Statistic 71

EV financing rates were 1% higher than gas vehicles on average.

Statistic 72

Credit union auto loans captured 28% market share.

Statistic 73

Average dealer fee for documentation was $450 in 2023.

Statistic 74

72-month loans made up 45% of new vehicle financing.

Statistic 75

Luxury car average price negotiated discount was 8.2%.

Statistic 76

GAP insurance uptake was 40% among financed buyers.

Statistic 77

Average sales tax on new cars was 7.1% of transaction price.

Statistic 78

Buy-here-pay-here lots sold 1.2 million vehicles to subprime.

Statistic 79

19% of buyers extended loan terms beyond 84 months.

Statistic 80

Average incentive rebate was $1,800 per new vehicle.

Statistic 81

Women paid $200 more on average for identical new cars.

Statistic 82

Refinancing rates for auto loans dropped 15% in 2023.

Statistic 83

Average out-the-door price for midsize sedans was $32,450.

Statistic 84

55% of leases had mileage limits of 10,000-12,000 annually.

Statistic 85

Commercial fleet purchases averaged 12% discount off MSRP.

Statistic 86

67% of online shoppers compared financing options pre-visit.

Statistic 87

Average new car price depreciation after 1 year was 21%.

Statistic 88

In 2023, U.S. new car sales totaled 15.6 million units, marking a 12.4% increase from 2022, driven by improved inventory levels.

Statistic 89

Electric vehicle sales accounted for 7.6% of total U.S. new vehicle sales in 2023, up from 5.9% in 2022.

Statistic 90

Average new vehicle transaction price in the U.S. was $48,759 in December 2023, down 1.3% from the previous year.

Statistic 91

SUV and crossover sales made up 68% of total U.S. new vehicle sales in 2023.

Statistic 92

Used car sales in the U.S. reached 36.4 million units in 2023, a 3% decline from 2022 peak.

Statistic 93

Pickup truck sales grew by 8.2% in 2023, representing 20.1% of the U.S. market.

Statistic 94

Luxury vehicle market share increased to 14.5% of new sales in Q4 2023.

Statistic 95

Hybrid vehicle sales surged 42% in 2023, totaling 1.3 million units sold.

Statistic 96

Tesla Model Y was the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2023 with 385,900 units.

Statistic 97

Inventory levels for new vehicles averaged 2.7 million units at year-end 2023.

Statistic 98

28% of new vehicle buyers in 2023 opted for all-wheel drive models.

Statistic 99

Compact SUV segment sales rose 15% year-over-year in 2023.

Statistic 100

Diesel vehicle sales dropped to under 1% of total U.S. new car market in 2023.

Statistic 101

Full-size SUV sales hit 2.1 million units, up 10% from 2022.

Statistic 102

Incentives spending by automakers averaged $2,300 per vehicle in 2023.

Statistic 103

Toyota led U.S. sales with 2.25 million vehicles sold in 2023.

Statistic 104

Ford F-Series trucks sold 750,789 units, maintaining top sales spot.

Statistic 105

Import vehicle share of U.S. market was 49.2% in 2023.

Statistic 106

Midsize sedan sales fell 22% in 2023 to 450,000 units.

Statistic 107

Average days to turn inventory dropped to 58 days in Q4 2023.

Statistic 108

Plug-in hybrid sales doubled to 200,000 units in 2023.

Statistic 109

Chevrolet Silverado sales reached 543,300 units in 2023.

Statistic 110

Minivan sales declined 5% to 220,000 units amid SUV preference.

Statistic 111

Average mileage of used cars sold was 47,200 miles in 2023.

Statistic 112

Honda CR-V topped compact SUV sales with 361,200 units.

Statistic 113

U.S. auto production reached 10.6 million vehicles in 2023.

Statistic 114

Ram Pickup sales totaled 444,926 units, down 5% from 2022.

Statistic 115

Sports car segment sales grew 12% to 120,000 units.

Statistic 116

Average new car dealer's profit per vehicle was $1,959 in 2023.

Statistic 117

Nissan Rogue sold 271,458 units, leading compact SUVs.

Statistic 118

71% of new owners would recommend their dealer.

Statistic 119

Average repair cost in first year was $512 for new cars.

Statistic 120

88% satisfaction with fuel economy post-purchase.

Statistic 121

Warranty claims filed by 14% within 12 months.

Statistic 122

65% rated dealer service above expectations.

Statistic 123

Regret rate for purchase was 8% after 6 months.

Statistic 124

92% would repurchase same brand.

Statistic 125

Tech interface satisfaction averaged 7.9/10.

Statistic 126

76% happy with negotiated price after 3 months.

Statistic 127

Maintenance visits averaged 1.8 per year first 2 years.

Statistic 128

83% satisfied with ride comfort rating.

Statistic 129

Noise levels met expectations for 89% owners.

Statistic 130

67% used connected apps weekly post-purchase.

Statistic 131

Resale value satisfaction 82% after 1 year.

Statistic 132

94% no major issues in first 12,000 miles.

Statistic 133

Safety feature usability rated 8.5/10 by 79%.

Statistic 134

55% recommended to family within 3 months.

Statistic 135

Cargo space satisfaction dropped for 12% of SUVs.

Statistic 136

87% positive on acceleration performance.

Statistic 137

Dealer follow-up calls rated helpful by 73%.

Statistic 138

69% satisfied with winter traction.

Statistic 139

Infotainment glitches reported by 11%.

Statistic 140

91% met MPG estimates within 5%.

Statistic 141

Financing terms satisfaction 85% long-term.

Statistic 142

78% happy with color choice after 6 months.

Statistic 143

Remote start usage daily by 62% owners.

Statistic 144

84% no rust issues in first year.

Statistic 145

Voice command accuracy 82% satisfactory.

Statistic 146

75% used loan calculator accurately pre-buy.

Statistic 147

Trade-in process rated smooth by 80%.

Statistic 148

89% positive on seat comfort long-term.

1/148

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Forget everything you thought you knew about the American car buyer, because last year's record-setting $48,759 average new vehicle price, the 68% SUV market dominance, and the surge of Millennials wielding online research to negotiate deals reveal a market completely transformed by data, demographics, and digital disruption.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, U.S. new car sales totaled 15.6 million units, marking a 12.4% increase from 2022, driven by improved inventory levels.
Electric vehicle sales accounted for 7.6% of total U.S. new vehicle sales in 2023, up from 5.9% in 2022.
Average new vehicle transaction price in the U.S. was $48,759 in December 2023, down 1.3% from the previous year.
Millennials represented 38% of new car buyers in a 2023 survey of 12,000 consumers.
52% of Gen Z car buyers prioritized fuel efficiency over performance.
Women accounted for 49% of new vehicle purchasers in 2023.
Average new vehicle loan amount was $41,444 with 6.8% APR in Q4 2023.
85% of new car buyers financed their purchase in 2023.
Average down payment on new cars was 10.2% or $5,000 in 2023.
76% of buyers visited 2-3 dealerships before purchase.
92% of car buyers used the internet for research in 2023.
Average time from research to purchase was 14 days.
71% of new owners would recommend their dealer.
Average repair cost in first year was $512 for new cars.
88% satisfaction with fuel economy post-purchase.

New car sales jumped in 2023 with electric and hybrid vehicles gaining major popularity.

Buying Process

76% of buyers visited 2-3 dealerships before purchase.
92% of car buyers used the internet for research in 2023.
Average time from research to purchase was 14 days.
41% of buyers started shopping on manufacturer websites.
Test drives averaged 25 minutes per vehicle tested.
63% negotiated price via email or app before visiting.
Dealer websites were visited by 78% of shoppers.
29% used virtual tools like 360 views or configurators.
Average negotiation saved buyers $1,250 off MSRP.
54% brought pre-approved financing to dealership.
Phone calls to dealers averaged 3.2 per buyer.
45% completed F&I paperwork digitally.
Reviews on Google influenced 68% of final decisions.
37% attended group buying events or co-ops.
Average walk-in rate at dealers was 22% of traffic.
81% compared at least 3 models before buying.
Video walkarounds viewed by 51% of remote shoppers.
64% prioritized in-person inspection over delivery.
Trade-in appraisals done online by 73% first.
28% backed out due to bait-and-switch pricing.
Average time in F&I office was 52 minutes.
49% used mobile apps for payment setup.
Peer recommendations swayed 59% of purchases.
35% scheduled service during purchase visit.
Home test drives offered to 42% of online leads.
77% read owner forums before deciding.
Paperwork signing took 22 minutes on average digitally.
61% verified VIN and Carfax pre-purchase.
Multi-dealer bidding used by 19% via platforms.
84-month financing presented to 33% of buyers.

Buying Process Interpretation

Today's car buyer is a digitally-armed, pre-negotiated ghost who haunts just a few showrooms in person, having already dissected the deal online, only to endure the final boss battle in the F&I office for a surprisingly brief victory lap of paperwork.

Consumer Demographics

Millennials represented 38% of new car buyers in a 2023 survey of 12,000 consumers.
52% of Gen Z car buyers prioritized fuel efficiency over performance.
Women accounted for 49% of new vehicle purchasers in 2023.
Households earning over $100K/year made up 42% of luxury car buyers.
61% of first-time buyers were under 35 years old in 2023 data.
Hispanic buyers increased to 22% of total U.S. new car market.
45% of buyers in rural areas preferred trucks over sedans.
Baby boomers (55+) comprised 28% of EV intenders in surveys.
Single buyers without children were 19% of compact car purchasers.
African American buyers favored 22-inch wheels in 37% of purchases.
67% of urban millennials shopped online first for cars.
Retirees over 65 bought 15% more convertibles than average.
Families with children under 12 preferred 7+ seaters in 55% cases.
Low-income buyers (<$50K) were 24% of used subcompact sales.
39% of Asian American buyers chose hybrids in 2023.
Male buyers aged 25-34 averaged 2.1 test drives per purchase.
Empty nesters (50-64) selected luxury brands at 31% rate.
51% of female buyers under 40 negotiated price successfully.
Veterans comprised 9% of new truck buyers, favoring domestics.
College-educated buyers were 72% of EV purchasers.
Southern U.S. buyers preferred V8 engines in 28% of trucks.
LGBTQ+ buyers showed 18% higher interest in EVs.
Self-employed individuals bought 14% more convertibles.
44% of buyers with kids prioritized safety ratings above 5-star.
Remote workers increased van purchases by 11% for cargo space.
56% of Hispanic millennials leased their vehicles.
Buyers over 70 averaged $52,000 spend on new cars.
Tech professionals chose performance sedans at 23% rate.

Consumer Demographics Interpretation

Today's car market paints a vibrant, data-driven picture where pragmatic millennials dominate the buyer pool, Gen Z is sensibly sipping fuel, women are nearly splitting the market in half, and the roads are becoming a more diverse and economically nuanced portrait of America, all while retirees surprisingly eye electric vehicles and nearly everyone, it seems, has a very specific set of priorities, from 22-inch wheels to fifth-star safety.

Financing and Pricing

Average new vehicle loan amount was $41,444 with 6.8% APR in Q4 2023.
85% of new car buyers financed their purchase in 2023.
Average down payment on new cars was 10.2% or $5,000 in 2023.
Lease penetration reached 22% of new vehicle transactions.
Subprime auto loan originations grew 4% to $162 billion.
Average used car loan term extended to 69.1 months in 2023.
Cash buyers dropped to 9% of new vehicle sales.
Prime borrowers saw average APR of 6.75% on 72-month loans.
14% of leases included maintenance packages in 2023.
Average monthly payment hit $742 for new cars financed over 68 months.
Trade-in values averaged $25,100 for vehicles under 3 years old.
31% of buyers rolled negative equity into new loans.
EV financing rates were 1% higher than gas vehicles on average.
Credit union auto loans captured 28% market share.
Average dealer fee for documentation was $450 in 2023.
72-month loans made up 45% of new vehicle financing.
Luxury car average price negotiated discount was 8.2%.
GAP insurance uptake was 40% among financed buyers.
Average sales tax on new cars was 7.1% of transaction price.
Buy-here-pay-here lots sold 1.2 million vehicles to subprime.
19% of buyers extended loan terms beyond 84 months.
Average incentive rebate was $1,800 per new vehicle.
Women paid $200 more on average for identical new cars.
Refinancing rates for auto loans dropped 15% in 2023.
Average out-the-door price for midsize sedans was $32,450.
55% of leases had mileage limits of 10,000-12,000 annually.
Commercial fleet purchases averaged 12% discount off MSRP.
67% of online shoppers compared financing options pre-visit.
Average new car price depreciation after 1 year was 21%.

Financing and Pricing Interpretation

The average American's new car loan is now a $742 monthly, 6-year-long romance, where 85% of us are financially tied to a depreciating asset and nearly a third are still paying for the ghost of our last bad decision.

Market Trends

In 2023, U.S. new car sales totaled 15.6 million units, marking a 12.4% increase from 2022, driven by improved inventory levels.
Electric vehicle sales accounted for 7.6% of total U.S. new vehicle sales in 2023, up from 5.9% in 2022.
Average new vehicle transaction price in the U.S. was $48,759 in December 2023, down 1.3% from the previous year.
SUV and crossover sales made up 68% of total U.S. new vehicle sales in 2023.
Used car sales in the U.S. reached 36.4 million units in 2023, a 3% decline from 2022 peak.
Pickup truck sales grew by 8.2% in 2023, representing 20.1% of the U.S. market.
Luxury vehicle market share increased to 14.5% of new sales in Q4 2023.
Hybrid vehicle sales surged 42% in 2023, totaling 1.3 million units sold.
Tesla Model Y was the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2023 with 385,900 units.
Inventory levels for new vehicles averaged 2.7 million units at year-end 2023.
28% of new vehicle buyers in 2023 opted for all-wheel drive models.
Compact SUV segment sales rose 15% year-over-year in 2023.
Diesel vehicle sales dropped to under 1% of total U.S. new car market in 2023.
Full-size SUV sales hit 2.1 million units, up 10% from 2022.
Incentives spending by automakers averaged $2,300 per vehicle in 2023.
Toyota led U.S. sales with 2.25 million vehicles sold in 2023.
Ford F-Series trucks sold 750,789 units, maintaining top sales spot.
Import vehicle share of U.S. market was 49.2% in 2023.
Midsize sedan sales fell 22% in 2023 to 450,000 units.
Average days to turn inventory dropped to 58 days in Q4 2023.
Plug-in hybrid sales doubled to 200,000 units in 2023.
Chevrolet Silverado sales reached 543,300 units in 2023.
Minivan sales declined 5% to 220,000 units amid SUV preference.
Average mileage of used cars sold was 47,200 miles in 2023.
Honda CR-V topped compact SUV sales with 361,200 units.
U.S. auto production reached 10.6 million vehicles in 2023.
Ram Pickup sales totaled 444,926 units, down 5% from 2022.
Sports car segment sales grew 12% to 120,000 units.
Average new car dealer's profit per vehicle was $1,959 in 2023.
Nissan Rogue sold 271,458 units, leading compact SUVs.

Market Trends Interpretation

Despite Americans buying more new cars than ever and finally getting a taste of electric future with the Tesla Model Y leading the pack, our collective love affair with massive, expensive SUVs and trucks has us paying nearly $50,000 on average while midsize sedans wither on the vine like a forgotten houseplant.

Post-Purchase Satisfaction

71% of new owners would recommend their dealer.
Average repair cost in first year was $512 for new cars.
88% satisfaction with fuel economy post-purchase.
Warranty claims filed by 14% within 12 months.
65% rated dealer service above expectations.
Regret rate for purchase was 8% after 6 months.
92% would repurchase same brand.
Tech interface satisfaction averaged 7.9/10.
76% happy with negotiated price after 3 months.
Maintenance visits averaged 1.8 per year first 2 years.
83% satisfied with ride comfort rating.
Noise levels met expectations for 89% owners.
67% used connected apps weekly post-purchase.
Resale value satisfaction 82% after 1 year.
94% no major issues in first 12,000 miles.
Safety feature usability rated 8.5/10 by 79%.
55% recommended to family within 3 months.
Cargo space satisfaction dropped for 12% of SUVs.
87% positive on acceleration performance.
Dealer follow-up calls rated helpful by 73%.
69% satisfied with winter traction.
Infotainment glitches reported by 11%.
91% met MPG estimates within 5%.
Financing terms satisfaction 85% long-term.
78% happy with color choice after 6 months.
Remote start usage daily by 62% owners.
84% no rust issues in first year.
Voice command accuracy 82% satisfactory.
75% used loan calculator accurately pre-buy.
Trade-in process rated smooth by 80%.
89% positive on seat comfort long-term.

Post-Purchase Satisfaction Interpretation

While the data shows a generally content car-owning populace—where satisfaction often outweighs small glitches and most would gladly repurchase their brand—it also reveals that the modern vehicle ownership experience is a carefully negotiated truce between our high-tech expectations and the enduring reality of maintenance costs and minor annoyances.

Sources & References

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