Spring 2025’s Most Negotiable Cars: Which Brands Have the Most Inventory Right Now?

by Justin Fischer | Last updated Mar 14, 2025 | Car Buying, New Cars, News

Spring is shaping up to be an interesting season for new car buyers. Tax refunds are giving consumers extra cash to put toward a purchase, yet overall consumer confidence has dipped as tariffs make headlines. Meanwhile, inventory levels continue to climb, and new car prices are on a downward trend. For car buyers looking to get the best deal this spring, knowing which brands have the most and least inventory is crucial.

Here’s where the car market stands as buyers head out for test drives this spring. 

New Car Inventory Continues to Rise

As of March 2025, the total U.S. supply of unsold new vehicles stood at 2.99 million units, marking a 12.8% increase in inventory year over year. Cox Automotive’s latest Data Point reports that February’s new car sales pace picked up by 13.6% compared to January and 5.9% year over year. The latest car buying report shows that buyers are still making moves despite sliding consumer sentiment.

Overall inventory levels remain high, with an 89-day supply of new cars at the start of March. That’s a notable 10% drop from February but still well above pre-pandemic levels. The takeaway? There are more cars on dealer lots, giving buyers better negotiating power. It’s officially a buyer’s market. Incentives will be on the rise as April new car deals are announced in the weeks ahead.

Where Are the Best New Car Deals Today?

It’s important for spring car buyers to know that the deals are in the details. The new cars with the biggest discounts and highest negotiability are those with a growing oversupply. Fortunately, online car buying tools make it possible to find the most negotiable cars and trucks, all from the comfort of your home. 

Not all brands are facing the same inventory trends. Hyundai inventory has risen the most, up 38 days year over year, while Jeep and Ram have declined the most, down 54 and 56 days, respectively. Among top-selling brands, Ford has the most inventory in March, with 138 days of supply sitting on dealer lots. In other words, it would take over four months to sell Ford’s lot inventory at today’s selling rates. This fictional scenario would be without any new deliveries from the factory. 

Here’s a look at how all of the major OEMs in America stack up in terms of today’s supply of new cars. For context, anywhere from 60 to 90 days of supply is generally considered ‘normal’ in today’s auto market.

Despite falling inventory, Jeep, Ram, and other Stellantis brands remain near the top of the list. Automakers with greater than 120 days of market supply are going to consistently have the best new car deals this spring. Buyers looking for a Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, or Jeep are likely to have the upper hand in car price negotiations. This is especially true when using car buying tools to find aging inventory that has been on the market for longer.

Luxury Sales Soar As Budget Options Dwindle

In Spring 2025, the average new vehicle listing price now sits at $48,316. In the post-pandemic K-shaped economic recovery that has continued, buyers of ultra-luxury models continue to thrive, while budget-conscious drivers struggle with a lack of options. 

Cox Automotive noted that luxury sales are thriving, despite waning consumer sentiment. “Through the end of February, more than 52,000 new vehicles transacted at prices above $100,000, up from 46,000 in the first two months of 2024. Five years ago, in January and February of 2020, just over 12,000 six-figure vehicles were sold.”

The best-selling car brands in America do share something in common: relative affordability. 

The six best-selling brands — Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia — offered an average price of $42,524, making them more affordable than the overall market.

For budget-conscious buyers, the market for sub-$20,000 vehicles is shrinking fast. Available inventory in this segment dropped 17% month over month, leaving the Mitsubishi Mirage as the last new car routinely selling for under $20,000. The Nissan Versa ($20,149 average listing price) and Kia Forte ($22,085 average listing price) remain some of the most affordable options still widely available. The Kia Forte has been replaced by the Kia K4 for 2025, and unsurprisingly, comes with a higher price tag.

In 2025, the auto market has seen a 9% increase in vehicles priced over $80,000. More than 75,000 new vehicles are now listed at over $100,000, compared to fewer than 50,000 a year ago. Clearly, the luxury car market is growing, while those who rely on affordable transportation options are priced out of the market entirely.

Is Spring 2025 a Good Time to Buy?

With incentives holding steady at 7.1% of the average transaction price ($3,392), buyers can still find opportunities this spring. Higher inventory levels mean dealers are more motivated to negotiate, especially for brands with surplus stock like Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, and Jeep. However, potential policy changes, including the impacts of tariffs, could impact pricing later in the year as 2026 models are unveiled.

March and April of 2025 present a mixed bag for car buyers. If you’re looking for a deal, focus on automakers with higher inventory levels. Find aging new car inventory that’s primed to sell at a discount. These will always be the most negotiable cars. If possible, take advantage of the best financing, cash, and lease incentives of the month. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, consider waiting for April’s best car deals to be announced. Deals change often, and you could end up saving thousands of dollars.

With negotiation know-how and familiarity with your local car market, you’ll be prepared to drive home a deal you can be proud of in no time.

Every Vehicle Made in Canada, Mexico, and China For U.S. Buyers

by Justin Fischer | Last updated May 29, 2025 | Car Buying, New Cars, News

If you’re in the market for a new car or truck, possible price hikes should be on your radar. In 2025, 25% automotive tariffs are officially here. In a shift from previous tariffs, the new auto tariffs apply to all vehicles imported into the United States. However, cars imported from Mexico, Canada, and China are likely to be most impacted due to the complexity of North American supply chains. Here’s what car buyers should know as spring car buying season gets underway.

Which Vehicles Are Affected By Tariffs in 2025?

Several of the most popular new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. are manufactured or partly assembled in Canada, Mexico, and China. However, the impacts of tariffs on the U.S. auto industry are much more wide reaching than it may seem on the surface. This is due to closely intertwined automotive supply chains spanning the three North American manufacturing hubs. 

A new report from S&P Global Mobility forecasts that lost production due to tariffs could reach 20,000 units per day that are not built. This would equate to one third of North American vehicle production being lost due to tariffs.  

It remains unclear how quickly consumers will begin to see higher sticker prices and lower incentives. What we do know is which new cars and trucks are most severely impacted. Here’s a look at some of the models now facing higher costs due to the tariffs, including average selling prices and market supply data as of spring 2025. 

Cars and Trucks Imported From Mexico

The following new cars, SUVs, and trucks are manufactured in Mexico, and sold in the United States. Note that many other models contain parts that are manufactured in Mexico and imported into the U.S. for final assembly. 

All prices and market data are as of March 3, 2025, reflecting the state of the car market before tariffs officially began.

In 2025, 20 models of new cars, SUVs and trucks are manufactured in Mexico for export to the United States. The automakers likely to be hardest hit by President Trump’s tariffs are Nissan, Volkswagen, Ford, and General Motors. Due to Volkswagen’s smaller model lineup, the German automaker will feel an outsized impact with three popular models being produced in Mexico.

Buyer’s looking for one of the more affordable new cars on sale today will be impacted by tariffs. Three popular models among budget buyers are all produced in Mexico: the Nissan Kicks, Nissan Sentra, and the new Kia K4. Finding a new car under $25,000 will become even more difficult in 2025 due to tariffs.

Cars and Trucks Imported From Canada

In 2023, the United States imported 141,847 motor vehicles and parts from Canada, a record high. These new cars are manufactured at facilities located in Ontario, with a large portion exported to the United States. As of the most recent data, the U.S. was the largest market for Canadian automotive exports, making up 62% of total auto exports. Here are all of the cars and trucks manufactured in Canada for export to the U.S. in 2025:

Stellantis and Honda will be hardest hit by tariffs on Canada in 2025. The Civic and CR-V are top-sellers for Honda. As models known for their affordability and overall value, it will be interesting to see if Honda Motor American Honda Motor, the North American branch of Honda Motor Company, decides to pass import tariffs on to car buyers in the form of MSRP hikes or severe reductions in incentives. 

Continue to check back each week as we monitor the real-time impact of tariffs on car prices for these affected models.

Ford and General Motors Most Impacted By Tariff On China

Just a handful of new cars are produced in China for export to the United States. The following models will be subject to the 10% tariff on imports from China:

• 2025 Buick Envision
• 2025 Lincoln Nautilus
• 2025 Polestar 2
• 2025 Polestar 3

Polestar, no longer under Volvo’s umbrella, is going to be hit the hardest from the tariffs on Chinese imports. Sales of Polestar’s electric vehicles have already been falling in North America due to competitors with faster charging, more driving range, and lower price tags. If tariffs continue for months on end, it’s not clear if Polestar will see 2025’s challenges as reason enough to exist the North American market entirely to focus on more favorable tides in Europe and Asia.

What Should Car Buyers Do?

If you’re shopping for a new car, here’s what you need to know:

• Expect price increases – If you’re considering a vehicle made in Canada, Mexico, or China, it may be wise to buy sooner rather than later before dealers fully adjust their pricing.
• Consider domestic alternatives – U.S.- built models won’t be directly impacted by these tariffs, which could make them a better deal. However, in this day and age, automotive supply chains are global, so no car is completely immune. We’ve crunched the numbers, and these are the best American-made cars today.
• Look at the used car market – If new car prices rise too much, well-maintained used models may offer more value. Many drivers find the most value in three-year old models with low mileage and a clean history. Buying used means that you’re avoiding the steep depreciation that every new car buyer faces today. 
• We recommend that all car buyers see if their next vehicle could be impacted using our free auto tariff calculator.

CarEdge’s Take

These tariffs are already reshaping the auto market, and will cost both consumers and automakers money. Whether automakers shift production to the U.S. in response remains to be seen, but for now, buyers should be prepared for rising costs in the form of rising MSRPs and a reduction in incentives, like zero percent financing.

If you have been considering shopping around for a better insurance rate, now is the time. Tariffs are likely to drive premiums even higher in 2025 as car parts are subjected to the levy. Compare quotes today to lock in your rate before the coming hikes.

CarEdge will continue tracking these developments and providing insights on how they affect car prices, financing, and buying strategies. Stay informed, and check out our free car buying tools to help you navigate the challenges ahead for car buyers in 2025.