The automotive industry as we know it is going through a transformation, changing the state of both new and used cars by leaps and bounds. From electric vehicles (EVs), futuristic self-driving “autonomous” tech, to the continually evolving taste and habits of consumers, the road ahead barely resembles what it looked like even five years ago.
In this article we’ll take a closer look at the future of car buying, selling, and driving in America, and what it could look like for you, and why staying informed could potentially save you thousands down the line.
EVs Are on the Rise
“Plug in my car and charge it?” Indeed, a far-fetched idea that would sound the stuff of sci-fi pulp to generations past, but in the first half of 2024, EV sales skyrocketed, making up 8% of all new car sales. Tesla might be leading the pack in terms of innovation, but GM, Ford, Hyundai, and other legacy players are on their tail by jumping into the EV pool themselves.
In fact, by 2030 EVs are projected to surpass 40% of total new car sales, especially as California and other eco-conscious states push towards banning new gas-powered car sales by 2035. Total EV integration is hardly balanced with urban areas having the highest EV ownership due to broader access to charging stations, which isn’t the case in more remote, rural areas where the infrastructure just isn’t available.
If Americans want anything, it’s a good deal. Soon, EVs will become more affordable with other incentives like tax credits and more charging stations. However, the gas-powered cars we drive now won’t disappear anytime soon, especially in the used market. EVs aren’t going anywhere, and it could be just a matter of time until one is parked in your garage.
The Current State of the Used Car Market
The used car market, like everything else affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw a big increase in prices, but it now looks to be falling. In early 2023, the average used car price in the U.S. peaked at $29,500. Fast forward to August 2025 and wholesale/retail prices have now decreased to $28,145, a subtle (but noticeable) decline.
As for the future, that might be a little harder to determine with the potential impact of tariffs on both used and new car prices. Also, high interest rates affect consumer buying, forcing many to put a hold on purchasing and stretching out loan terms to 72 months (or longer) just to make their monthly payments, which can cost a lot more in interest in the long run. Just put your loan terms into a financial calculator and see for yourself
With all the economic uncertainty, many Americans are siding with buying used cars instead to avoid the higher sticker prices of new vehicles, so the demand for used cars is definitely there.
Owning a Car Goes Digital
Whether you’re in the market for a new or used car, online platforms like Carvana allow you to scroll, swipe, and purchase a car online with all the ease of a dating app or meal delivery. No haggling, no high-pressure sales tactics, you can now order your car and get it delivered right to your door with a 7-day return window in most cases. Car buying has gone digital, and for many American consumers, there’s no turning back.
Meanwhile, welcome to the era of non-car ownership with subscription vehicle services like where you just pay a monthly fee for a vehicle including insurance and maintenance without making a four-wheeled commitment for however many years. But what does all this mean for Americans today? Basically, the future of car ownership will be akin to a Netflix subscription; fast, easy, and free of a lot of (sometimes messy) human interaction.
Self-Driving Cars on the Horizon
Remember seeing those old sci-fi movies where in 2025 they thought we’d be puttering around in flying cars? Back then, it was just a fanciful prediction. Today, fully autonomous vehicles are in development with Full Self-Driving (FSD) getting fairly close to achieving the concept, but in actuality it’s just an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), and not on the level of a talking near-sentient car like “KITT” from Knight Rider.
However, ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, auto-parking, and lane assist are becoming the norm with many new cars, but for some buyers this technology is a turn off, with even Tesla consumers bypassing the FSD (Supervised) vehicles altogether, going for somewhat cheaper and “human only”-driven models.
Maybe buying a self-driving car isn’t your thing, but in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and recently Manhattan, you can hail a “robotaxi” from Waymo in five major cities and they are striving to expand. It’s just what it sounds like, you choose a ride from the Waymo app to pick you up and drive you wherever you need to be with no human driver behind the wheel. It’s as convenient as it is controversial, with several accidents and lawsuits looming over the company.
For Americans, true “hands-off” autonomous driving may need more tweaking and development, but smarter, more advanced safety features will continue to be included in new car models in the years to come.
Future Trends to Watch
Over the next few years, to really stay on top of where new and used cars are going in America, you have to keep an eye on some major trends already taking place. For one, EV incentives are becoming attractive for many car buyers with the IRS offering credits and deductions for vehicles purchased after 2023.
Apart from many Americans switching to electric, even Ford is “going green” with carbon-neutral factories and other sustainable production practices, a huge plus to environmentally-conscious buyers. On the car insurance front, vehicles with ADAS and other sophisticated software can be expensive to repair, meaning higher premiums for drivers, so insurance rates are shifting to match the technology, but will likely remain high until the cost of all the components/sensors, etc., too, drop in price.
Find What Works for You
For better or worse, the future of new and used cars in America is changing at a rapid pace, from EVs to the prospect of self-driving cars purchased from an app on your phone as effortlessly as buying socks on Amazon. The real question is how affordable something like a new EV will be for you, or if a true fit for your lifestyle. The best thing to do is stay sharp, ask questions, and don’t let the salesman intimidate you.