With new-vehicle prices hovering near record highs and monthly payments consuming a growing share of household budgets, many shoppers are looking for ways to make every car-buying dollar go further. And with ample options for where, when and how to buy, it’s not hard to do. The car experts at Edmunds have compiled their five top strategies to help reduce the overall cost of your next vehicle purchase.
According to Edmunds data, the average transaction price of a 3-year-old used vehicle is more than $30,000. This is a big discount compared with buying new, but it’s still potentially out of reach financially for a lot of people. Fortunately, spending about half that can still get you a car with a compelling combination of comfort, reliability, fuel economy and modern technology.
Many new electric vehicles are prohibitively expensive for car shoppers. But there are a few relatively low-cost options that provide plenty of usable range and utility. One great example is the Nissan Leaf. Originally debuting for 2011, it’s today’s longest-tenured EV and remains among the most affordable ways to go electric. The 2026 Leaf has been fully redesigned and features sleeker styling and a maximum estimated range of more than 300 miles.
Two new hybrid SUVs have hit the market in the last two years from brands known for their outdoorsy images: the Jeep Cherokee and the Subaru Forester. The Jeep Cherokee has been redesigned for 2026 after a three-year hiatus. Notably, every new Cherokee has a hybrid powertrain that gets more than 30 mpg.
If you like the idea of owning a fun-to-drive car but can’t afford a new one, this summer is an ideal time to consider buying used. Right now, quite a few performance cars that might have been out of reach for you when new can be had for less than $25,000 on the used market.
The 2026 Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) has officially wrapped, setting a new attendance record for a third consecutive year. Nearly 140,000 attendees visited the 300,000 square feet of exhibitor space, highlighted by a handful of vehicles debuting on Canadian soil for the first time. Here are three of Darpan’s picks from the event.
