End of Model Year Car Deals for 2026

2025 Model Year End Clearance Deals

Do Car Manufacturers Have Deals When New Models Come Out?

Yes, many car brands start offering deals in late summer and early fall to make way for new models.

Most new car buyers are interested in getting the latest model year, which means dealers are pressured to get last year’s model off their lots in a hurry.   To do this, they’ll offer cashback and lease deals to entice buyers.  This is especially true if the body style of a particular model will be changing in the upcoming year.   

Buyers aren’t as interested in a “new” car that is visibly older than others out there.  In addition, buyers may interpret a changed body style as an improvement and not want a car that may be of lesser quality, whether that’s true or not.  And if the model is being discontinued altogether, you can expect even deeper discounts.

While car clearance offers and incentives shouldn’t be hard to find, to double down on your savings, you should wait until the end of the month to get the additional benefit of salesmen trying to hit their monthly quota in order to earn their bonus. They may be willing to take a hit on a single sale in order to make a large bonus.

Is There Any Reason Not to Buy an Outgoing Model?

One caveat to keep in mind when buying a car in a model year closeout is that the Blue Book value will be depreciated as one model year older.  This may mean a slight difference in the resale value when you go to sell it in a few years. 

For example, if you were to buy a car today and sell it five years from now in 2030, a 2026 model car would be valued as a 4-year-old car while a 2025 model car would be valued as a 5-year-old one.

How Much Do Leftover Cars Depreciate When New Models Come Out?

The value of a new vehicle typically drops by 20 percent after the first year of ownership.  And for several years after that you can expect your car to depreciate approximately 10 percent per year.  In a year where the body style changes the value may drop even further.

When Do New Car Models Come Out?

The majority of new model-year vehicles come out in October.  However, some manufacturers release new models throughout the year.

When Do New 2026 Car Models Come Out?

2026 models start to come out as early as the summer of 2025 and continue to be released into the first couple of months of 2026.

However, a majority are released during the last few months of the current year. Here is a breakdown of when to expect new 2026 models for each manufacturer:

2026 Model Release Schedule by Manufacturer