5 Reliable Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops Ahead of Spring 2026
Written by
Angela Mae Watson
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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If there’s one thing better than a reliable car, it’s one that’s also affordable. And in an era where the average new car hovers at $50,000 — as per Kelley Blue Book (KBB) — and even used cars aren’t cheap, finding a reasonable price is key.
At year’s end, auto dealerships often lower their prices to encourage people to buy so they can make room for the latest models. But which reliable cars are also likely to see a price drop ahead of spring? Here are a few possibilities.
Toyota Prius (Hybrid)
Toyota ranks fourth highest in terms of reliability, according to JD Power’s Dependability Study. Hybrids in particular are known for being more reliable than gas-only cars.
According to the maker, the 2026 Toyota Prius (Hybrid) has a starting $28,550 MSRP, which is already comparatively lower than other sedans. But previous years’ models might soon see a drop in price.
“The Toyota Prius is a time-tested hybrid that has seen slowing sales as consumer preferences trend towards larger crossovers,” said Justin Fischer, automotive analyst and expert at CarEdge.com.
Fischer added that 2026 will likely bring price cuts and possibly new incentives to the Prius. This could mean a lower overall cost for 2025 models and earlier.
Toyota Rav4
The Toyota Rav4 lives up to the manufacturer’s overall reliability. Even better is that the 2026 Rav4 is reasonably priced with a starting MSRP of just $31,900, according to Toyota. This is $2,100 lower than the 2025 model.
But with newer models comes possibly price cuts.
“The RAV4 is widely considered to be the most reliable small crossover and with a quick sales pace, it is rarely subject to noteworthy incentives,” Fischer said. “That will change in early 2026 as the new model starts to arrive.”
Honda CR-V
Honda ranks a little above average in terms of JD Power’s reliability study. RepairPal gave the CR-V 4.5 out of five stars, ranking it the second best compact SUVs (out of 26).
The 2026 Honda CR-V has a $30,920 starting MSRP, per Honda. This is already a slight price drop from the 2025 model, which had a starting MSRP of $30,100.
But in this case, there’s the competition to consider. Fischer believes the newest Toyota Rav4 will actually bring discounts to the CR-V as Honda strives to compete.
“Without a major update in sight, the highly-reliable CR-V is going to be prime for discounts and negotiability in 2026,” Fischer said. “The new RAV4 may get all the attention, but CR-V buyers will get the savings.”
Toyota 4Runner
Once again making the list is Toyota. But this time, it’s the 4Runner, a full-sized SUV with a starting MSRP of $41,570 (2026).
“The 4Runner is extremely popular because owners keep them and word spreads that if you want a vehicle that is unlikely to give you problems, you should get a 4Runner,” said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org.
The 2025 4Runner has a starting MSRP of $42,220, as per KBB. This isn’t a major difference right now, but again, prices could fall in the coming months. Musson also pointed out that there are no major updates between models, so the 2025 could end up saving you more money.
Toyota Camry (Hybrid)
Hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) usually have higher inventory levels, according to Muson. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to see price cuts.
Among these is the 2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which has a base price of $29,000, according to Toyota. This is only $300 more than the 2025 model.
Certain Electric Vehicles May Drop
EVs have seen rising inventory levels — up 14% as of September, according to S&P Global. This is largely due to the federal tax credit expiring and demand starting to fall as a result.
Still, some automotive experts think it’s unlikely that there will be massive price drops for reliable vehicles next year.
“Reliability and resale value often go hand in hand. For example, a big reason that a vehicle such as the Toyota Tacoma has class-leading resale value is because it has a bulletproof reputation for reliability,” said Matt Degen, senior editor at KBB. “More broadly speaking, we don’t predict major price drops in the coming months, but instead anticipate the average price of cars to continue to rise.”
But there are always exceptions, like those EVs.
“Resale value remains a challenge for EVs, but that can be a benefit for both new and used car shoppers if an EV will work for their needs,” Deagen said. “With [tax credit] now gone, automakers have responded by slashing the prices of new EV models, including cars like the popular Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra. These and others have seen substantial price cuts for the 2026 model year.”
Look into extended warranties, fuel savings, reliability scoring and other possible incentives or price changes heading into 2026. You might find a great deal on something you love.
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