U.S. New-Car Payments Reach $787 as Longer Loans Gain Share

The average monthly payment on a financed new vehicle reached $787 in the third quarter of 2026, as loans of at least 84 months grew more common and estimated lifetime interest hit a quarterly record. The payment average rose from $777 in the second quarter and $756 in the third quarter of 2025. Loans with terms of 84 months or longer accounted for 25.5% of financed new-vehicle purchases, up from 23.9% in the prior quarter and 21.8% a year earlier. That category includes loans longer than seven years. The average loan term was 70.5 months.

Source: TokenPost