New car prices are nearing $50K. These are the most affordable brands

• The average price for a new car in the United States reached $49,461 in April 2026.
• Only five major car brands had average transaction prices below $40,000 in April 2026.
• The five brands with average prices under $40,000 were Mazda, Subaru, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, Honda and Hyundai.

Only five major car brands averaged sales prices under $40,000 in the United States in April 2026 as new car prices continue to rise and car shoppers are feeling the pinch.

Consumers paid an average of $49,461 for new cars in April 2026, according to Cox Automotive's Kelley Blue Book. The average April price for new cars was up 0.7% from March 2026's average of $49,124 and it was also a 1.8% increase over April 2025's average of $48,608, according to the group.

Cox also said automakers' average manufacturer's suggested retail price (also known as the sticker price) was $51,607, which the group said was 2.1% higher than average sticker prices were in April 2025.

Erin Keating, an executive analyst for Cox Automotive, said in a statement that while the numbers are showing car prices approaching $50,000, they are "a mix-driven pricing story, not reaccelerating inflation."

"Strength in high-volume segments like SUVs and pickups is lifting the average, but overall price growth remains below long-term norms, signaling that the pricing environment is continuing to normalize," Keating said.

"What’s more interesting is that while year-over-year price growth may be returning to pre-pandemic norms, the market itself hasn’t," she continued. "Today’s pricing is being supported more by supply discipline and mix than demand strength, which is why volume is absorbing more of the pressure.”

With that in mind, the USA TODAY Cars team took a look at five auto brands in April that had average sales prices below $40,000 and their bestselling models.

1. Mazda

Average April transaction price: $36,713

Percentage change from March: 1.3%

Bestselling U.S. car: Mazda CX-5

2. Subaru

Average April transaction price: $36,900

Percentage change from March: 0.6%

Bestselling U.S. car: Subaru Crosstrek

3. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance

Average April transaction price: $37,370

Percentage change from March: 3.0%

Bestselling U.S. car: Nissan Rogue

4. Honda

Average April transaction price: $38,902

Percentage change from March: -0.6%

Bestselling U.S. car: Honda CR-V

5. Hyundai

Average April transaction price: $38,932

Percentage change from March: 0.1%

Bestselling U.S. car: Hyundai Tucson