auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New-Vehicle Ownership Costs Keep Going Up

AAA analysis shows big increase over last year, blames inflation, interest rates.

August 31, 2023
New-Vehicle Ownership Costs Keep Going Up

Half-ton pickups like the Ford F-150 have the highest average cost and have experienced a drop in demand as the costs of owning them now rival that of 'many luxury cars.'

IMAGE: Ford

2 min to read


The annual cost of owning a new vehicle has ballooned due to still-inflated prices and elevated interest rates, a new AAA study shows.

The motor clubs federation, known for its auto insurance and roadside assistance, says the annual average cost of owning and operating a new vehicle this year is $12,182, or $1,015 a month, up about 14% over last year’s figures.

It points to the growing average manufacturer’s suggested retail price, which it said is now $34,876, up about 5% over last year, combined with the average annual finance charge that MSRP impacts: $1,253, up a whopping 90% year-over-year.

Though the effects of the pandemic on the inflated costs have diminished this year due to improving inventories, “the spillover effects are keeping prices high,” says AAA Director of Automotive Research Greg Brannon.

AAA emphasizes that the price consumers pay for vehicles doesn’t always reflect MSRP, depending on demand.

The nonprofit organization said ownership cost is also probably impacted by:

Depreciation, which it projects to be up 24% year-over-year to an average of $4,538 per year.

The increase in new-vehicle prices relative to used-vehicle values, which it says have fallen in the past year.

Automakers’ focus on producing more high-end, and therefore more expensive, models.

Fuel, at least for gas-powered vehicles, was the one variable in the annual cost mix that fell, by an average cost per mile of about two cents. But electric-vehicle charging rose by nearly two cents per kilowatt-hour, it says likely due to inflation.

AAA pointed out that half-ton pickups, with the highest average cost, have experienced a decrease in demand as the costs of owning them now rival that of “many luxury cars.”

LEARN MORE: Used Market Hums Along

More Dealer Ops

Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/15/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 15, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Defection Data & EV Updates

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses how to use defection data to your advantage and the latest on EV sales and charging infrastructure.

Read More →
Two professionals shake hands while exchanging a car key fob beside a vehicle, symbolizing a vehicle sale, lease agreement, or dealership transaction.
SponsoredJuly 8, 2026

How Defection Data is Bridging the Dealership Conversion Gap

Lead volume is flat, cross-shopping is up and brand loyalty is in retreat. As confident sales teams keep losing buyers they thought they had, daily industry sales data is showing dealers exactly where their funnel is breaking and how to fix it without buying a single new lead.

Read More →
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/02/2026 with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 2, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Where are you losing customers?

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the hidden leaks in dealerships where you might be losing customers without even realizing it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 06/25/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJune 26, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Improving Your Inventory Management

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new survey that shows what service technicians really want and two launches that could help improve your inventory and vehicle life cycle management.

Read More →
group of people standing in a circle holding puzzle pieces together
Dealer OpsJune 1, 2026

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins

A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.

Read More →
Cover image for a BOK Financial report titled “Timing the market: How avoiding volatility entirely can hurt long-term reinsurance program performance.” The image shows several road construction barricades with flashing amber warning lights lined up in a nighttime work zone. Beneath the image, red text explains that avoiding volatility can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long-term surplus growth. The BOK Financial logo appears at the bottom right.
SponsoredMay 8, 2026

What Market Timing Mistakes Mean for Your Reinsurance Program

When volatility hits, dealer-owned reinsurance programs face a familiar temptation: pull back and wait for calmer waters. New data from BOK Financial shows why that instinct can quietly cost you years of surplus growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
two cars on a billboard, No Hidden Fees
ComplianceMay 1, 2026

Dealer Ads and the FTC

The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.

Read More →
Closeup of white car's headlight, front end
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellApril 17, 2026

Used Autos Supply Dwindles

The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.

Read More →
hands making protective frame over red car, Risk Reality Check, Be Proactive, Auto Dealer Today logo
Dealer OpsApril 1, 2026

Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times

The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car key, stacks of coins, and a paper car cutout with AutoPayPlus logo, representing auto financing, loan terms, and vehicle affordability trends.
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales

AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.

Read More →