Car shoppers are facing affordability challenges in the market for new vehicles despite average down payments dipping to nearly the lowest level in four years, according to a new report. An analysis by Edmunds found that the average down payment for new car purchases fell to $6,020 in the third quarter of 2025. That's the lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2021 and is down from $6,433 in the second quarter of 2025 and $6,619 in the third quarter of 2024 – but the affordability of new vehicles remains ...