ATLANTA, Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As 2026 gets underway, many people are considering kicking off the new year by buying a new car. Brand-new model arrivals are hitting dealer lots, with fresh technology and new features that appeal to car shoppers who are eagerly anticipating a vehicle upgrade. Yet according to Autotrader, a Cox Automotive brand, events of the past year have turned some facets of traditional car-buying wisdom upside down. Dealerships are facing new complications, from tariff expenses to concerns about the state of the economy, making it harder to navigate car-shopping deals in 2026 compared to years past.
“For a lot of people, the ‘new year, new me’ mindset also includes purchasing a new car, but finding a great deal can be more complicated these days given the state of the economy,” said Sean Tucker, managing editor for Autotrader. “No matter the season, smart car shopping starts with preparation. Flexibility is key. Quality continues to improve across all models, so you might benefit from buying a brand you haven’t considered before if you know they have a large supply of new vehicles in stock, and as a result, are more willing to negotiate. Starting or even fully completing the entire buying process online also will save you a lot of time in the busy new year.”
New Year 2026 Car-Buying Advice
- Do Your Homework: Research your purchase ahead of time to understand pricing, features and market trends.
- Shop for Financing: Secure outside financing before considering dealership offers to maximize your negotiating power.
- Watch Inventory Levels: Pay attention to which automakers have the largest inventory — dealers with more cars in stock often are more willing to negotiate.
- Stay Flexible: Most new cars offer high quality and reliability. Consider brands you may not have considered before, especially if they have a robust supply and are motivated to make deals.
Buying a Car Online
Autotrader’s Buy Online feature empowers buyers to purchase their car completely online, with the flexibility to either pick up their vehicle at the dealership or have it delivered directly to their home. This seamless, secure and transparent process allows buyers to:
- Toggle between finance and cash options
- Apply incentives and trade-ins
- Complete credit applications, ID and insurance verification
- Select their preferred delivery method — dealership pickup or home delivery
Autotrader’s Buy Online functionality addresses the growing consumer demand for flexibility, transparency and trust in online car buying by offering an experience tailored to the buyer’s needs, and dealer support.
To drive awareness, Autotrader recently launched a fresh creative campaign titled “Really? Really.”. The campaign’s video spots highlight the ease and control of buying a car online, positioning Autotrader as the industry leader in e-commerce. These assets rolled out nationally, reinforcing the message that car buying can be as flexible and convenient as consumers demand.
For more information, visit Autotrader.com, or contact the Autotrader Public Relations team.
About Autotrader
Autotrader is the most recognized third-party car listings brand, with the most engaged audience of in-market car shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today’s empowered car shopper looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader’s comprehensive marketing and retailing solutions allow consumers to build their deal online, and guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.
About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, vAuto®, Dealertrack®, NextGear Capital™, CentralDispatch® and FleetNet America®. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with $23 billion in annual revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on X, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Autotrader
