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So far, 2025 is shaping up to be another year full of twists for car shoppers. After a buyer-friendly 2024 marked by falling prices and rising incentives, this year brings fresh uncertainty — from tariffs and interest rates to new model arrivals and shifting consumer demand. The big question remains: Should you buy a car now, or wait?
At CarEdge, we’re closely tracking the latest market trends to help you time your next car purchase. Here’s what you need to know for spring and summer 2025.
The New Car Market: Still a Buyer’s Game (For Now)
Let’s start with some good news: there are still solid new car deals available this spring. Automakers are trying to keep sales strong as summer approaches, especially with many 2024 models still on lots. Here’s what’s driving the deals:
1. Tariffs Are Creating a New Kind of Urgency
In early April, 25% tariffs took effect on imported vehicles. For now, automakers are absorbing the costs to keep prices competitive — but that won’t last forever. As supply chains adjust, expect higher MSRPs and fewer discounts on imported vehicles later in 2025. That means spring and early summer could be your last chance to buy before price hikes hit.
Despite steady sales, dealership lots are still full. Many brands have over 100 days of supply — well above the 60-day benchmark of a balanced market. That’s expensive for dealers, who are now more willing to offer discounts or throw in extra incentives to close a deal. If you’re shopping now, you’ve got the upper hand.
3. 2025 Models Are Here — Even 2026 Models Are Tricking In
Every week, more 2025 models are hitting showrooms. As of April, about two-thirds of dealer inventory is still made up of leftover 2024 models, which means dealers are getting desperate to move them before summer incentives roll out. This puts you in a great position to score a deal — especially on models with aging inventory.
What to Expect in 2025
New car prices had been showing signs of softening, but auto tariffs are likely to send prices higher yet again. Here’s a snapshot of what we anticipate in spring and summer of 2025:
Don’t pay dealer markups, even for high-demand cars. Walk away if you’re being pressured.
Used Car Market: More Uncertainty Ahead
Used car prices have been falling for much of the past year, but that trend may be slowing. Here’s what we’re watching:
Prices have stabilized at wholesale auctions and retail lots in recent weeks.
Interest rates remain high, keeping monthly payments up — but if rates begin falling later this year, expect a surge in demand for affordable used vehicles.
New car incentives are stealing attention, which has softened demand for used vehicles — but that could change quickly if tariffs push new prices higher.
In other words, it’s a bit of a coin flip. If you find a used car you love at a price and rate you’re comfortable with, it’s a perfectly fine time to buy. But if you’re not in a rush, waiting for loan rates to drop could unlock even better deals. The challenge is guessing when that will actually happen.
For well-qualified car shoppers, this month’s sales present a great opportunity to secure a low interest rate. With numerous incentives, now is a fine time to buy if you’re in need of a vehicle soon. Of course, the best decision for you wallet is usually to keep the vehicle you already have, but sometimes that’s not an option. If you’re considering an import, buying sooner may help you avoid the full impact of tariffs. Be sure to check if your next car is impacted by tariffs.
Looking at the used car market, it’s tougher to foresee price trends considering the dynamics at play. If tariffs send new car prices higher, more drivers will shift their focus to used car lots. This higher demand would send used vehicle prices higher. With so many moving parts, it’s difficult to predict where the used car market will be months from now.
CarEdge Co-Founder and 43-year auto industry veteran Ray Shefska has this timely advice for used car shoppers late in 2024: If you find the car you want at the right price with a loan rate you are happy with, now is a ‘fine’ time to buy. Waiting only prolongs the car market uncertainty at this point.
The Easiest Way to Buy a Car? Avoid the Dealership Entirely!
Tired of the car buying hassles? If you’re looking for a better way to buy a new or used car, we’re glad you found us. CarEdge is the #1 car buying service in America, with thousands of happy customers sharing their success stories.
For those who are not interested in a massive, all-wheel drive truck, finding a car or crossover SUV that’s safe in the snow can be a challenge. We’re here to simplify your Car Search with this list of the best vehicles for winter driving, from snow to slush and beyond. Better yet, these all-wheel drive models offer the best value for your wallet as we head into the cool season.
Why It’s Great For Winter: This is the go-to all-wheel drive sedan for under $30,000. The Legacy has grown from a low-volume, small sedan to the larger, more popular sedan it is today. With excellent fuel economy, decent clearance for a sedan, and Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive, all shoppers in the market for a car with AWD should consider the Legacy.
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Mazda3 sedan offers something that’s increasingly rare: standard all-wheel drive on a sedan at a good price. From the Carbon Edition trim level and up, all-wheel drive is included, providing drivers with greatly improved traction in the snow.
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Kia’s of today hardly resemble those of yesterday. On top of great looks, the K5 sedan has optional all-wheel drive starting at under $30,000. According to Consumer Reports, the Kia K5 has excellent reliability ratings too. Equipped with winter tires, the K5 would do excellent in the snow, as long as higher ground clearance isn’t a must.
Why It’s Great For Winter: ICE-powered cars are no competition for electric all-wheel drive. Reaction times and traction control capabilities are noticeably quicker in an AWD EV.
Despite slim ground clearance, the considerably more expensive Tesla Model 3 is an unbeatable value. For those who can claim the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and drive enough to realize fuel savings, the Model 3 starts to look like more of a bargain.
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Forester gets an upgrade for the 2025 model year. In addition to the added room and features, buyers will see a higher pricetag. On the bright side, Subaru is known for largely avoiding dealer markups, making it easier to get the Subaru you want at a fair price.
Why not the Crosstrek? You simply get more for your money with the Forester. Most will appreciate more cargo volume, and more room for passengers with the Forester.
Why It’s Great For Winter: The Ascent is perfect for those who need a larger SUV with standard all-wheel drive. The 2024 Ascent has three rows of flexible seating for 8 passengers, something that other models on this list can’t match.
Ground clearance is excellent, meaning that you’ll have no trouble pushing through snow (with proper tires, of course). Fuel economy is less than desired, but that’s what you get with a large SUV.
Why It’s Great For Winter: The CX-50 features standard all-wheel drive and 8.3 to 8.6 inches of ground clearance, making this a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want a Subaru. Mazda reliability ratings are rising as the brand continues to transition towards a more premium reputation. Hoping for better MPGs? For 2025, a hybrid CX-50 is joining the lineup.
There’s a CX-50 for everyone. Mazda’s lineup offers a range of well-equipped trims, from the base 2.5 S Select for just $30,300 to the premium-natured 2.5 Turbo Premium starting at $41,300.
Why It’s Great For Winter: It’s #2 in America in terms of SUV sales, but the CR-V is a clear winner for SUVs under $40,000. With all-wheel drive, the CR-V LX starts at a base price of $31,000.
The CR-V AWD is ideal for those who are okay with all-wheel drive that is only engaged when it’s needed. The rest of the time, the CR-V is front-wheel drive.
Why It’s Great For Winter: There’s a lot to love about the Highlander Hybrid AWD: eight inches of ground clearance, 35 miles per gallon, and all-wheel drive on top of excellent reliability at a reasonable price.
Smaller hybrid SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson or Honda CR-V are excellent for winter when equipped with AWD, but serious winter drivers know that ground clearance matters in a snowstorm.
Why It’s Great For Winter: Owning an electric vehicle is full of perks, but winter driving is not one of them. How so? EVs lose driving range in cold weather. It’s a matter of battery chemistry. On top of that, charging speeds can be slower in extreme cold without battery preconditioning capabilities.
Tesla, being the EV originators that they are, took these challenges into consideration as they built their brand. The Model Y has access to the largest and most reliable EV charging network in North America, the Tesla Supercharger network. That’s a huge help considering that the highway range in winter weather can drop below 250 miles on a full charge.
Better yet, Tesla models have battery preconditioning built into route planning. This means that when you navigate to a charging station, the car will automatically warm the battery to the ideal temperature for faster charging. Battery preconditioning is an essential for EV ownership in cold climates.
When it comes to all-wheel drive, electric vehicles, including but not limited to the Model Y, have a big advantage over ICE vehicles: near-instantaneous reaction times. Everything is computer-based in an EV. Torque and traction control features are adjusted to maintain control far quicker than is possible in a traditional gas-powered vehicle. So range and charging can be tough in the winter, but EV traction is superior.
Tires Matter Most
Sliding on flurries in your all-wheel drive vehicle? Before you blame the car, check your tires. Too many drivers forget the importance of winter-ready tires before venturing out in the snow. Unlike their summer counterparts, winter tires are specially designed with a different rubber compound that stays pliable in colder temperatures. This flexibility provides better grip on icy surfaces and shorter braking distances. The tread patterns on winter tires are also tailored to dig into snow and slush, channeling it away from the tire’s contact patch and enhancing traction.
Simply put, having winter tires is like equipping your vehicle with the right gear to conquer winter’s toughest terrain. All-wheel drive alone will NOT be enough to stay safe. Be sure you have tires that are suitable for winter before the first snowflakes fly.
Looking for help with your next vehicle purchase? The CarEdge Team is changing car buying for the better. From DIY options that equip you with powerful market insights to the best car buying Concierge service out there, we’re bringing pre-negotiated car deals to the masses.
Dependability matters, especially as auto repair costs soar. Have you ever experienced the delight of owning an SUV that goes above and beyond in terms of reliability? If not, we’re out to change that. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the most reliable SUVs for 2025, courtesy of the consumer advocates at Consumer Reports.
We’ve ranked today’s new SUV models by popular segment. SUVs are ranked first by reliability, then with driver satisfaction and road test scores as the tie breakers. Consumer Reports rates satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5, and both reliability and road test scores range from zero to 100.
For anyone familiar with the most reliable car brands, the winners should come as no surprise. Toyota and Lexus frequent the top of the list for automotive reliability. Honda and Subaru are also known for making the most dependable SUVs, and also win top honors here.
Make
Model
Year
Reliability Score
Satisfaction Score
Road Test
Base MSRP
Subaru
Forester
2025
98 / 100
4 / 5
92 / 100
$29,995 - $41,695
Toyota
RAV4
2025
86 / 100
3 / 5
73 / 100
$29,250 - $40,605
Toyota
RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
2025
84 / 100
5 / 5
88 / 100
$44,265 - $48,135
Toyota
RAV4 Hybrid
2025
83 / 100
3 / 5
80 / 100
$28,850 - $40,205
Lexus
UX
2025
77 / 100
4 / 5
75 / 100
$36,540 - $46,575
Lexus
NX Hybrid
2025
76 / 100
4 / 5
84 / 100
$41,955 - $57,805
Subaru
Crosstrek
2025
75 / 100
4 / 5
82 / 100
$25,810 - $32,610
Mazda
CX-5
2025
74 / 100
3 / 5
77 / 100
$28,570 - $40,600
Honda
HR-V
2025
71 / 100
2 / 5
70 / 100
$25,400 - $31,000
Chevrolet
Trailblazer
2025
68 / 100
2 / 5
68 / 100
$23,100 - $29,300
Ford
Escape
2025
68 / 100
2 / 5
71 / 100
$29,850 - $38,400
Acura
RDX
2025
64 / 100
3 / 5
80 / 100
$44,700 - $54,400
Honda
CR-V
2025
61 / 100
3 / 5
88 / 100
$30,100 - $50,000
Toyota
Corolla Cross Hybrid
2025
61 / 100
3 / 5
82 / 100
$28,395 - $31,580
Nissan
Rogue
2025
61 / 100
2 / 5
81 / 100
$29,230 - $40,920
The surprises on the list? Most would not expect to see the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ford Escape alongside the big names in reliability.
The Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Toyota and Lexus combined occupy five spots on the list of most reliable midsize SUVs.
Make
Model
Year
Reliability Score
Satisfaction Score
Road Test
Base MSRP
Ford
Edge
2024
74 / 100
3 / 5
81 / 100
$38,465 - $47,205
Toyota
Venza
2024
71 / 100
3 / 5
79 / 100
$35,070 - $43,215
Kia
Sorento Hybrid
2025
68 / 100
2 / 5
84 / 100
$31,990 - $53,090
Lexus
RX Hybrid
2025
67 / 100
4 / 5
86 / 100
$52,235 - $57,045
Toyota
Highlander
2025
65 / 100
3 / 5
82 / 100
$39,820 - $53,975
Toyota
Land Cruiser
2025
65 / 100
4 / 5
57 / 100
$56,700 - $61,470
Toyota
Highlander Hybrid
2025
64 / 100
4 / 5
86 / 100
$39,520 - $53,675
BMW
X5
2025
61 / 100
5 / 5
94 / 100
$66,300 - $127,200
Subaru
Outback
2025
61 / 100
3 / 5
89 / 100
$29,010 - $42,910
The Ford Edge and BMW X5 were least expected, but earned their place on the rankings.
The Most Reliable Large SUVs
It’s a lot tougher to find a reliable large SUV. There’s quite a bit of OEM representation on this list, however. Large SUV models from Toyota, Lexus, BMW, and Audi all earned above-average ratings in dependability according to Consumer Reports testing.
Make
Model
Year
Reliability Score
Satisfaction Score
Road Test
Base MSRP
Lexus
TX Hybrid
2025
64 / 100
3 / 5
92 / 100
$68,000 - $76,700
Audi
Q7
2025
63 / 100
2 / 5
87 / 100
$60,500 - $65,800
Toyota
Sequoia
2025
63 / 100
2 / 5
57 / 100
$62,425 - $83,915
BMW
X7
2025
61 / 100
3 / 5
90 / 100
$84,300 - $152,400
Lexus
GX
2025
65 / 100
4 / 5
62 / 100
$63,935 - $80,400
The Most Reliable Electric SUV
If you’re ready to make the switch, electric SUVs are the way to go for drivers determined to spend less on fuel while eliminating tailpipe emissions. Here are some of the most reliable electric SUVs. Note that Consumer Reports has not completed testing for a number of other popular electric crossovers.
Make
Model
Year
Reliability Score
Satisfaction Score
Road Test
Base MSRP
Nissan
Ariya
2025
58 / 100
3 / 5
70 / 100
$39,770 - $54,370
Lexus
RZ
2025
57 / 100
1 / 5
70 / 100
$42,800 - $57,430
Audi
Q4 e-tron
2023
54 / 100
1 / 5
79 / 100
$49,800 - $58,200
Genesis
GV60
2025
47 / 100
3 / 5
86 / 100
$52,350 - $69,990
Ford
Mustang Mach-E
2025
43 / 100
4 / 5
74 / 100
$41,450 - $56,500
Kia
EV9
2025
42 / 100
4 / 5
88 / 100
$54,900 - $73,900
Tesla
Model Y
2025
41 / 100
4 / 5
88 / 100
$44,990 - $51,490
Electric SUVs from Lexus, Nissan, and Audi rank highest in terms of predicted reliability. However, they score lower in overall satisfaction. In most cases, this is due to slow charging. That’s true of the Audi Q4 and Lexus RZ, among others. It’s a shame that the fastest-charging electric SUVs, like those from Hyundai and Kia, have lower reliability scores.
Final Thoughts: Beyond Reliability
While the reliability of an SUV is undeniably important when selecting your next vehicle, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll want to take into account other critical factors like fuel efficiency, comfort, safety features, and the overall cost of ownership to make a well-rounded decision that aligns with your unique needs and preferences.
You don’t have to navigate car buying alone! Our dedicated team of CarEdge Concierges will guide you through the entire process. With their expert insights and personalized advice, you can rest assured that you’ll not only find a reliable SUV but also one that perfectly suits your lifestyle and brings joy to every drive.
Some EVs are hot, and some are not. To provide you with real-time insights, we’ve gathered EV inventory data from CarEdge Data and Car Search to reveal which electric models are flying off the shelves, and which ones are taking their time.
We haven’t included direct-to-consumer brands like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, VinFast, Fisker, and Polestar in our analysis. They don’t share their inventory data, but you can see their most recent sales totals here.
The Fastest-Selling Electric Vehicles Today
As the EV market continues to evolve, some models are in higher demand than others. Usually, it’s a combination of charging speeds, range, and price that bring swarms of buyers. Here, we highlight the fastest-selling electric vehicles in 2023’s market. These are the models with the lowest market-day supply (MDS), which is a reflection of inventory and daily selling rates over the past 45 days.
Make
Model
Market Day Supply
Total For Sale (US)
Starting Price
Average Price Paid
Chevrolet
Bolt EV
57
4,288
$27,495
$31,320
Chevrolet
Bolt EUV
60
1,240
$28,795
$33,116
BMW
i4
60
2,268
$53,195
$63,185
Kia
Kona EV
60
303
$33,550
$39,462
Audi
e-tron GT
62
503
$107,995
$116,816
Hyundai
IONIQ 6
73
3,127
$42,715
$49,498
GMC
Hummer EV
80
1,032
$79,995
$118,576
BMW
iX
81
3,645
$88,095
$102,447
Mercedes-Benz
EQB
88
3,012
$52,750
$62,258
Subaru
Solterra
96
2,270
$44,995
$49,913
The Chevy Bolt EV and larger Bolt EUV have been popular choices for budget-minded EV buyers. The i4 is a top-selling luxury sedan this month. EVs now make up 15% of BMW’s US sales, with Mercedes-Benz and Audi close behind.
The average starting price (MSRP + destination charge) of the fastest selling EVs is $50,206. On the other hand, the average selling price is $66,659, or 19% higher than the starting price for these same models. This is mostly due to the popularity of higher-trim cars, but dealer markups are also to blame. We have proof that EVs are negotiable. We don’t recommend paying any dealer markups on electric cars, trucks or SUVs.
Hyundai and Kia electric models are selling much faster right now than in recent months. Hyundai is second in EV market share in the US market, but remains far behind Tesla. Here’s the latest EV market share and sales update.
The Slowest-Selling Electric Vehicles Today
While some EVs race off dealership lots, others linger in showrooms, waiting for their new home. Technically, the all-new BMW i5 has the highest market day supply right now, but there’s a catch. The i5 is arriving on dealer lots for the first time, leading to an unrealistic inventory of 868 days. Therefore, selling rates are skewed and will remain inaccurate until the i5 has been on sale for at least 45 days. Here are the true electric models with the highest inventory and slowest selling rates:
Make
Model
Market Day Supply
Total For Sale (US)
Starting Price (MSRP+destination)
Average Price Paid
Jaguar
I-PACE
647
388
$86,895
$80,033
Porsche
Taycan
239
2,613
$92,550
$131,159
Mercedes-Benz
EQS
221
2,841
$105,650
$125,376
Mercedes-Benz
EQS SUV
221
123
$105,550
$130,156
Ford
Mustang Mach-E
204
24,874
$44,796
$57,807
Genesis
GV60
190
1,747
$53,195
$65,746
Ford
F-150 Lightning
182
8,913
$51,990
$78,934
Nissan
LEAF
161
2,626
$29,255
$32,856
Cadillac
Lyriq
151
2,681
$58,590
$65,015
Mercedes-Benz
EQE
144
1,072
$76,050
$91,830
Among the slow-sellers, the average starting price (MSRP+destination) is $70,452. What about how much buyers are actually paying? CarEdge Data reveals that the average price paid averages out to $85,531 for these same models.
Interestingly, the average price paid for the ten slowest-selling EVs is 22% higher than the starting price, versus 19% higher for the fastest-selling EVs. This shows that luxury buyers don’t mind spending well above the base price, making $100,000+ EVs common.
Notably, the slowest-selling EVs tend to be luxury models, such as the Jaguar I-PACE and Porsche Taycan. However, the I-PACE is getting a refresh for the 2024 model year, making it a potential contender for luxury EV buyers.
Despite these slow sellers, the overall EV market continues to grow, with automakers producing more EVs than ever before. 2023 will be the first year with 1,000,000+ electric vehicles sold in America. Analysts expect the milestone to be reached in November.
EV Market Resources
If you’re as fascinated by evolving EV market data as we are, you’ll love these other market updates:
Which electric vehicles are you interested in? Which do you love, and which do you hate? Let us know in the comments below, or hop on over to the CarEdge Electric Vehicle Forum.
As we head into autumn, compelling luxury lease offers abound if you know where to look. We’ve sifted through the latest manufacturer offers to bring you the best 2024 and 2025 luxury lease deals available today. From Acura to Tesla, here’s your guide to some of the best luxury lease offers currently on the market.
Automakers release new lease deals early in the month, so check back for updates.
Leasing a luxury car or SUV has never made more sense. When opting to buy instead, drivers are faced with interest rates at 20-year highs, and near-record car prices. With enticing luxury lease offers available, it makes sense to do what is essentially a long-term rental for the perfect car.
Free Car Buying Help Is Here
Ready to outsmart the dealerships? Download your 100% freecar buying cheat sheets today. From negotiating a deal to leasing a car the smart way, it’s all available for instant download. Get your cheat sheets today!
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