10 Cars the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in the Next 5 Years

The cost of owning a vehicle is often higher than you might think, and with maintenance, fuel, insurance, and financing costs, it rises even more.

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If you’re in the middle class, or otherwise earning an average to above-average income, there are a few vehicles you might not be able to afford in the next several years. Here are 10 of them below. Also, check out 10 of the fastest-selling new cars on the market this year.

Chevrolet Tahoe

“For such a salt of the earth kind of vehicle, Tahoe’s are becoming rather expensive. It makes sense, the Chevy Tahoe can do just about anything. Still, as a family-friendly SUV, a starting price near $60,000 means that only a few options or a single option package can put the Tahoe out of reach for many families,” said Brian Moody from Kelley Blue Book.

Electric Luxury Sedans (Tesla Model S and Lucid Air)

“The surge in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), driven by growing environmental concerns and government incentives, is pushing prices upward,” said Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing for CFR Classic. “Luxury EVs, such as the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air, are at the forefront of this trend.”

The 2023 Tesla Model S starts at $74,990. The 2023 Lucid Air starts at $82,400.

“As these models continue to integrate more advanced features and battery technology, their prices are expected to rise further, placing them out of reach,” Giranda added.

Check Out: 10 New Cars To Avoid Buying in 2024

Tesla Model S Plaid

“The Model S Plaid’s price is likely to stay high or even go up as Tesla continues to come up with new ideas and improve the performance of electric cars,” said Blake Shaw, go-to automotive expert at All About Wheels.

This particular model is easily within the $70,000 range, which may be too high for many middle-class households.

Chevrolet Silverado

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado has a starting price of $36,800. While this might seem reasonable for a new truck like this, you also have to factor in fuel costs, insurance and maintenance.

“Pickup trucks in general have gotten expensive. Even though a ¾-ton 4WD diesel model makes a 2WD gas engine 1500 model look cheap, both options are expensive and only getting more expensive,” said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert at AutoInsurance.org. “The fuel mileage doesn’t help the cost of ownership as full-size trucks get poor mileage compared to other vehicles.”

Land Rover Range Rover

“The newest versions of the Range Rover have more high-tech and luxurious features. As a sign of wealth and off-road skill, the price is likely to keep going up, making it a luxury item to buy,” said Shaw.

The 2024 model starts at $107,400. This is about $3,000 more expensive than the 2023 model.

S-Class Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes has always been a more expensive brand, but prices continue to rise. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, for example, starts at $117,300 — already too expensive for most people in the middle class.

“The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a name that means high-end luxury and cutting-edge technology,” said Shaw. “As Mercedes adds more high-tech features and maybe even makes the model even more electric, it will likely become even harder for the normal buyer to get.”

Jeep Wrangler

Another vehicle that the middle class might be unable to afford in the coming years is the Jeep Wrangler.

“If you’re thinking of a Wrangler as a bare-bones, unrefined off-road vehicle, that’s not an accurate picture of the modern Wrangler,” said Moody. “Base models start at over $30,000 and the price of a new Jeep Wrangler can hit more than $90,000 with custom versions topping $100,000.”

GMC Yukon

“Big SUVs are some of the most expensive vehicles on the market. They tend to be expensive to insure, and they demand a lot of fuel,” said Musson. “The Yukon will be unaffordable because the MSRP and cost of ownership are exceeding the growth in people’s paychecks.”

Right now, the 2024 GMC Yukon costs $58,200 and up.

Cadillac Escalade

“Like the Yukon, the Escalade costs a lot to insure and is a gas guzzler. The fact that it’s a luxury SUV means the MSRP will always be among the most expensive,” said Musson.

The 2024 Cadillac Escalade starts at nearly $82,000. In comparison, the 2022 version was around $76,000.

Honda Odyssey

Minivans like the Honda Odyssey are also becoming less and less affordable, especially when you consider the luxury features and various add-ons you can get.

“Many minivans have a starting price of just under $40,000 and include many luxury features. Many new minivans on dealer lots are closer to the $50,000 mark,” said Moody. “High-tech features combined with continuing demand mean the affordable new minivans may soon be a thing of past.”

Cost Considerations When Buying a Vehicle

“When it comes to car affordability, the most important thing is not to focus too exclusively on the up-front price, but rather on the factors that will influence the long-term viability of your investment,” said Nigel Tunnacliffe, co-founder and CEO of Coastline Academy. “Fuel economy and mileage are some of the main culprits for increased downstream costs, but expensive warranties and unreliable builds can also add up in the long run.”

Insurance costs, maintenance, financing fees, repairs, and state fees — like registration or sales tax — also add to the total cost of ownership.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Cars the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in the Next 5 Years