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The Daily Insight

Why are used SUV so expensive?

Author

John Thompson

Published Mar 05, 2026

Used vehicles went for a whopping 40% more in June than they did before the pandemic in February of 2020, according to data from JPMorgan. The insanity all comes down to simple economics: demand for used cars far outweighs their supply, pushing prices higher and higher.

What are good reasons to purchase a used car over a new car?

9 Advantages of Buying a Used Car Instead of New

  • Buying a Used Car Saves You Money.
  • Bulk of Depreciation Has Already Occurred.
  • No Exaggerated Fees.
  • Lower Customization Costs.
  • Certified and Thoroughly Inspected.
  • Warranties.
  • Lower Insurance Premiums.
  • Better for the Environment.

Why are used cars almost as expensive as new?

The swelling demand combined by a short supply of used vehicles (fewer new models sold means fewer trade-ins) has caused prices to skyrocket to the extent that some pre-owned cars are now commanding higher prices than their factory fresh counterparts.

Why are SUVs so popular?

The reason SUVs are more popular is because people like them. The reason estates and wagons are becoming rarer is because people like SUVs more. Enough people are passionate enough to go out and buy a brand new SUV after all, and according to the internet those aren’t people that even care about cars.

Will used car prices continue to rise?

Woolard says that prices in used-car listings for May 2021 on TrueCar’s website so far are up 32 percent over the same time last year. “If you need a car right now, they’re expensive, and unfortunately, all signs point to prices continuing to increase,” Woolard says.

Why has the price of second hand cars gone up?

Post-lockdown demand and semiconductor shortage both contribute to used car prices hitting an unprecedented level. Used car prices have shot up to an unprecedented level, with drivers paying more on average than ever before to secure a second-hand motor.

What are five advantages of buying a new car over a used car?

It’s a fresh start.

  • It Has Newer Features.
  • New Cars Can Be Customized Exactly to Your Liking.
  • Warranty Coverage and Advanced Safety Features.
  • New Cars are Easier to Buy.
  • Cost.
  • Lower Insurance Rates.
  • Less Depreciation.
  • Improved Technology Helps Find a Good Used Car.

Are there any good SUVs on the market?

The car market is changing rapidly and is currently packed with high-riding, family-friendly SUVs that are easy to drive, look good, and handle the rough and tumble of modern life. We understand why you’re keen on buying one and are perhaps confused by all the choices.

Is it time to buy an SUV in America?

None of these arguments has done anything to dissuade American buyers that an SUV is what they want and need — examples keep multiplying as more people eschew traditional cars for boxier conveyances. But in what feels like the blink of an eye, times have changed.

Are there any pros to buying an used car?

There’s almost as much variety on the used market as there is on the new market with cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and even hybrids and EVs that have gone through depreciation making them stronger values. Pros: The biggest pro of buying a used car is value.

How is the business of selling used cars?

The boom has turned the business of selling cars upside down. Because used cars don’t come from factories in Detroit, dealers are having to work as hard to buy cars as they typically do to sell them, they say, including running ads and cold calling people to ask if they would be interested in selling their old car.