Increasingly expensive cars are a reality. An average of 35,474 euros had to be spent to buy a new vehicle in 2023, according to a study by automotive data specialist AAA Data.
An increase of 6% compared to 2022 and an average price already at 33,529 euros. We are very far from the 26,035 euros average price reported by L’Argus magazine in 2018.
Almost 60,000 euros for a plug-in hybrid
If we look at the detail by engine, it is the plug-in hybrid cars (or PHEV, for “Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle”) that turn out to be the most expensive, with an average price of 59,419 euros, 7% more. % compared to 2022.
Logical, taking into account the cost of this double motorization (thermal and electrical parts with a large battery) in models that are usually quite large SUVs, especially among German premium brands. If we take one of the most popular models in France, the Peugeot 3008, its price currently starts at 45,250 euros for a plug-in hybrid.
Electric cars at 42,000 euros
Just behind are the 100% electric models, with an average price of 41,994 euros in 2023 (+3%). A price close to the price of a certain Tesla Model Y, best seller in the category last year in France and which currently starts at 45,990 euros (and therefore 40,990 euros if we deduct the 5,000 euro bonus for 2023).
Then come the other forms of hybridization: classic hybrid (HEV) and light hybrid (MHEV), very close with an average price of just under 34,800 euros. Access to the first stage of more affordable electrification, which also explains some of last year’s success: these two non-rechargeable hybrid engines accounted for almost one in four sales last year.
Gasoline grows by 5% and diesel by 8%
Gasoline continues to be the most popular engine (36.2% of the new market in 2023) and one of the most affordable, with an average price of 28,124 euros, 5% more than in 2022.
Diesel, for its part, continues its free fall in sales, from 15.6% in 2022 to 9.7% last year. An engine now more reserved for large and high-end vehicles with an average price of 37,997 euros, 8% more.
But, ultimately, it is in the “other” category where we find the new, more affordable models. There we find engines such as the dual gasoline-LPG system popularized by Dacia, or directly compatible with E85, as is the case with Ford.
A Dacia Sandero, the third best-selling car last year behind the Renault Clio and the Peugeot 208, currently has a starting price of 14,150 euros with the Eco-G 100 engine.
The average price of this category is thus below 20,000 euros, exactly 19,294 euros. A price reduced by 2%, the only engine more affordable than in 2022.
Source: BFM TV
