# New Car Prices Hit Record $51,109

> New car prices reach record $51,109 as SUVs and pickups drive affordability challenges.
- Title: New Car Prices Hit Record $51,109 · Autoweek | Shortify
- Summary: New car prices reach record $51,109 as SUVs and pickups drive affordability challenges.
- Keywords: kelley blue book, average new car price, suv sales, pickup trucks, vehicle affordability, new vehicle transactions, Autoweek
- Source: Autoweek — https://autoweek.com/news/a74403579/average-new-car-price-hit-record-51109
- Author: Natalie Neff
- Published: 2026-11-11T21:35:12+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kelley blue book, average new car price, suv sales, pickup trucks, vehicle affordability, new vehicle transactions, cars, sports
## Record New Car Price
The average price Americans paid for a new vehicle hit a record high in October, a whopping $51,109.
## Price Increase
The October figure is up 1.3 percent from September and 2.1 percent from October 2025.
## Previous Record
The previous record was $50,614, in December 2025.
## Vehicle Segments
Midsize SUVs averaged $50,570, full-size pickups $67,912, compact SUVs $37,895.
## Affordability Challenge
Buyers needed the equivalent of 35.7 weeks of median income to purchase the average new vehicle.
## Market Trends
Electric vehicles rose 1 percent to $56,220 but remain 2.7 percent below last year's prices.
## Key takeaway

The average new car price in October hit $51,109, the highest on record, driven by rising demand for SUVs and pickups despite modest inflation.