The average cost for a new vehicle in the U.S. hits a record high: over $51,000

Vehicle transaction prices are up to a new record high, according to the Kelley Blue Book — and some buyers are extending their car loans to finance them.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8254x5503+0+0/resize/8254x5503!/quality/85/format/webp/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcb%2Ffd%2Fa9c5ffc14790a6c95afded77f4f2%2Fgettyimages-2284066705.jpg' alt='Ford Motor vehicles are displayed for sale at the Leif Johnson Ford dealership on June 30 in Austin, Texas.'/><p>Vehicle transaction prices are up to a new record high, according to the Kelley Blue Book — and some buyers are extending their car loans to finance them.</p><p>(Image credit: Brandon Bell)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-6026659' />