The new-car market has a strange little secret in 2026: some vehicles sitting on dealer lots still carry a new-car sticker, a full factory warranty, and a model year that already feels slightly behind the times. That combination can create a rare opening for shoppers, because dealers have a much easier time getting excited about a discount when a vehicle has spent months watching newer models roll past its windshield.
A recent iSeeCars analysis of more than 2.6 million new-car listings found unusually high amounts of leftover 2024 and 2025 inventory, with some models dramatically exceeding the industry averages for unsold stock. That does not mean every vehicle on this list automatically deserves a giant discount, but it does give buyers something valuable: leverage.
1. Dodge Hornet Plug-In Hybrid and Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2024 Dodge Hornet Plug-in Hybrid sits at the top of the leftover-inventory list, with 82.1% of that model year’s inventory still available when iSeeCars conducted its analysis. The Jeep Grand Cherokee follows with 70.8% of its 2024 inventory remaining, a striking figure for a nameplate that shoppers know well. When a dealer has a vehicle that has lingered through multiple selling seasons, a buyer can reasonably ask for a sharper price rather than accepting the first number on the window sticker.
The important catch involves the exact vehicle, not just the model name, because trim, equipment, financing, and dealer incentives can change the real deal dramatically. A shopper should compare the leftover vehicle with newer model-year versions, check the warranty start date, and ask whether the dealer has added fees that quietly eat up the discount. A cheap-looking price can lose its sparkle quickly if the paperwork brings along a suitcase full of extras.
2. Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid and Chevrolet Malibu
The 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid also showed a substantial amount of leftover inventory, with 46.8% remaining in the iSeeCars analysis. The Chevrolet Malibu, meanwhile, had 31.0% of its 2024 inventory left, and the sedan also appeared among the models ending production after the 2025 model year. That combination can create an interesting negotiation moment because a dealer may want to move an older model while shoppers may wonder what the end of production means for future resale value.
The Malibu deserves especially careful shopping because a discontinued model can deliver a lower purchase price but may also face tougher resale comparisons later. That does not make it a bad buy, particularly for someone who plans to keep the car for years, but buyers should focus on the total ownership plan instead of chasing a dramatic discount. A bargain only counts as a bargain when the vehicle fits the buyer’s needs after the excitement of the sale wears off.
3. Dodge Hornet and Jeep Grand Wagoneer L
The regular 2024 Dodge Hornet had 26.3% of its inventory remaining, while the enormous Jeep Grand Wagoneer L showed 24.1% leftover inventory. These two vehicles occupy very different corners of the market, but they share a basic problem: dealers have vehicles taking up valuable space while shoppers compare them with newer arrivals. The Grand Wagoneer L also carried an average price of $92,497 in the study, which makes the phrase “let’s negotiate” sound considerably more appealing.
High-priced SUVs face an extra hurdle because shoppers can compare an outgoing model with a newer one that may not cost dramatically more. Anyone considering a luxury SUV should examine every line of the purchase, including dealer fees, financing, maintenance costs, and insurance. A discount on a six-figure vehicle can sound enormous while still leaving the buyer with a very large monthly payment.
4. Genesis GV60 and Dodge Charger
The 2024 Genesis GV60 had 21.8% of its inventory remaining, while the 2024 Dodge Charger showed 20.9% leftover inventory. Electric vehicles appear repeatedly in the broader leftover-inventory data, and the end of the federal $7,500 EV incentive in September 2025 pulled some purchases forward, making the remaining stock harder to move afterward. That creates an opportunity for EV shoppers who can evaluate charging access, range, software features, and long-term ownership rather than simply chasing the biggest markdown.
The 2024 Charger also deserves a close look because the nameplate changed dramatically as Dodge moved into a new era of electrified and redesigned performance cars. Buyers should confirm exactly which powertrain and equipment package they are considering, then compare the vehicle with newer inventory before making an offer. The best negotiation usually starts with knowledge, not a dramatic walk into the dealership armed with a calculator and a suspicious look.
5. Nissan Z and Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrid
The 2024 Nissan Z had 18.8% of its inventory remaining, while the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Plug-in Hybrid showed 18.2% leftover inventory. Both vehicles appeal to specific buyers, which can make the shopping experience different from buying a common commuter sedan. A dealer may have more room to negotiate on a slow-moving example, but a rare enthusiast vehicle can still hold its value differently from an ordinary leftover car.
That makes the inspection and comparison process especially important, because a lower price should not tempt anyone into buying a configuration they do not actually want. Check the vehicle’s production date, equipment, incentives, warranty details, and comparable listings before making an offer. The biggest lesson from this list involves patience: when a dealer has spent months trying to move a car, the buyer often has more time than the salesperson wants to admit.
The Smartest Deal May Be Sitting in Yesterday’s Inventory
Leftover inventory does not automatically mean something went wrong with a vehicle, and a slow-selling model does not automatically make a terrible purchase. Sometimes shoppers simply moved toward newer designs, different powertrains, lower prices, or other vehicles that better matched the moment. Still, unusually high leftover inventory gives buyers a reason to research harder and negotiate more confidently, especially when a dealer wants to clear space for newer models.
Before signing, compare the exact vehicle with newer model-year inventory, calculate the full out-the-door price, inspect the warranty terms, and check how the model’s production status could affect future resale. A dealer may not volunteer the best deal simply because an older vehicle sits on the lot, so buyers need to ask direct questions and make a specific offer. In 2026, the best new-car bargain might not have the freshest model-year badge, but it could have the right combination of equipment, warranty coverage, and negotiating room.
What do you think: would you buy a leftover 2024 or 2025 model in 2026 if the price were right, or would you always choose the newest model year?
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The post 5 New Cars Dealers Are Struggling to Sell in 2026 appeared first on Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money.
