5 Non-Luxury Cars that the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in the Next 5 Years
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Luxury vehicles have long been out of reach for many middle-class drivers. However, many popular non-luxury vehicles may soon fit into that category.
Rising vehicle prices indicate that many middle class staples may soon be priced so high the average person can no longer afford them. This is unfortunate, as many of these vehicles have built a reputation as solid, affordable options.
Katie Weissert, sales director at Reindeer Logistics, a vehicle shipping company based in Carmel, Indiana, shared her thoughts on five standard vehicles that might soon be out of reach for the middle class.
Keep reading to find out which ones made her list. Also read about non-luxury cars that make the middle class feel rich.
Honda Civic
- 2025 baseline price: $24,250
“The Honda Civic has always been the go-to for budget conscious drivers, reliability and fuel efficiency at an affordable price,” she said. “But with the 2024 model starting at around $25,000, it’s getting less and less accessible to the middle class.”
As the price of the Civic continues to rise, she said it will soon be out of reach for many drivers who once considered it an economical option.
“This is a bigger issue in the auto industry where even the most affordable models are seeing price increases, and car ownership is getting tougher for the average consumer,” Weissert said.
Chevrolet Silverado
- 2025 baseline price: $37,000
“Trucks are getting more and more expensive for the middle class and the [Chevrolet] Silverado is a prime example,” Weissert said.
At first glance, she said the 2025 baseline price seems reasonable, but overall costs add up quickly when you factor in fuel, insurance and maintenance expenses.
“Full-size trucks like the Silverado have lower fuel efficiency than smaller vehicles, so fuel costs will add up over time,” Weissert explained. “Maintenance and repair costs will accumulate even more.”
Consequently, the expert said the Silverado may soon be out of reach for many middle-class consumers.
Toyota RAV4
- 2025 baseline price: $28,850
“Toyotas have always been people’s cars, and they are known for being affordable and low maintenance,” Weissert said. “But the RAV4 is creeping out of that range.”
She said the current prices — starting at $28,850 to $40,205, depending on trim — already make it expensive for the middle class.
“Those prices will be over $45,000 in five years, so the RAV4 will be out of reach for most of the middle class,” she said. “It’s a good SUV with great reliability and resale value, but at those price points it will lose the accessibility that make Toyotas so popular in the first place.”
Ford F-150
- 2025 baseline price: $38,710
“The [Ford] F-150 is an American icon, and one of the most popular vehicles in the country,” according to Weissert. “It’s shipped often because of its broad appeal.”
However, since baseline prices range from $38,710 to $78,905 for the Raptor, she said it’s getting too expensive for many consumers.
“The F-150’s price increase may price it out of reach for price sensitive buyers,” Weissert added. “Cheaper options are looking more and more attractive, especially for those willing to trade the F-150’s status for a better deal.”
Ford Explorer
- 2025 baseline price: $39,755
“The Ford Explorer has been the go-to for families looking for an SUV that’s big, capable and affordable,” she said. “Compared to Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe or Acura MDX, the Explorer has been the cheaper option.”
Since prices are rising and there’s more competition in the SUV market, she said this could become a problem for this long-popular model.
“The Explorer may find itself in the middle — no longer the cheaper alternative to the high-end SUVs and not as affordable as the smaller rivals,” she said. “Families will start looking elsewhere for better value without sacrificing quality.”
No doubt, this would be a big loss for the middle class, as it’s been a staple for decades.
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