Car Markups Return! These Popular Models Are Still Costing You Extra

The automotive market has mostly settled down after years of chaos, with most vehicles now available at or below their manufacturer's suggested retail price. But don't get too comfortable just yet – some popular models are still commanding serious premiums that could cost buyers thousands extra.

Consumer Reports recently analyzed real transaction data from TrueCar to identify the vehicles with the worst markups right now. The results? Toyota dominates the list in all the wrong ways, claiming more than half the spots among the ten worst offenders.

The Biggest Markup Culprits

Toyota Prius Hybrid takes the crown with buyers paying 8% over MSRP – that's an extra $2,293 on top of the $29,750 sticker price. The Toyota GR86 sports car isn't far behind, also at 8% over with a $2,302 markup.

Several vehicles tie at 7% markups, including the Ford Bronco (adding $2,484 to its $37,995 price), Toyota Grand Highlander (costing buyers an extra $3,298), and the Toyota Sequoia with the heftiest dollar markup at $4,358 above its $62,425 MSRP.

Other 7% markup vehicles include the Kia Soul, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Toyota bZ4X electric SUV, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup.

What This Means for Shoppers

While supply chains have largely recovered and dealer lots are better stocked than they've been in years, certain high-demand models still give dealers pricing power. For buyers set on these specific vehicles, the premiums might be worth it. But those willing to consider alternatives could easily pocket thousands in savings by choosing comparable models from the competition.

The dominance of Toyota vehicles on this list reflects the brand's strong reputation and customer loyalty – qualities that apparently translate into willingness to pay above sticker price. Whether that premium is justified depends entirely on individual priorities and budgets.