Owning a Car in Türkiye Now Costs 38% More Than in Germany

Buying a car in Türkiye has turned into a costly luxury, while renting remains a financial relief, according to a new comparative report by LenaCars, a Turkish rent-a-car firm. The study revealed that car ownership in Türkiye is now 38% more expensive than in Germany, yet renting remains 47% cheaper, underscoring a widening gap between the affordability of purchasing and renting.

A Growing Divide in the Automotive Market

The LenaCars analysis compared the prices of eight popular vehicle models, using Germany as a baseline with an index of 100. The results indicate an alarming divergence in affordability, primarily driven by the weakening Turkish lira and high automotive taxation.

“Owning a car has turned into a luxury; renting has become rational, especially in the economy segment,” said Selçuk Nazik, General Manager of LenaCars. He explained that car ownership has become a “costly privilege rather than a mobility right,” as rising import duties, Special Consumption Tax (SCT), and Value Added Tax (VAT) make new vehicles prohibitively expensive.

Among the compared models, the Dacia Sandero Stepway was a staggering 82% more expensive in Türkiye than in Germany, followed by the Skoda Superb at 75%, and the Mercedes EQB at 51%. Even Türkiye’s domestically produced TOGG T10X was priced 13% higher than its equivalent in Germany.

Nazik attributed these disparities to structural economic factors: “Taxes, currency fluctuations, and distributor margins have combined to push ownership out of reach for average consumers.”

Rentals: A Rational Alternative

Despite the soaring cost of buying, Türkiye’s car rental market remains competitive and accessible. LenaCars’ study found that renting an economy-class car in Istanbul for seven days costs 47% less than in Berlin. B-SUV rentals were 37% cheaper, C-SUVs were 23% more inexpensive, and minivans or vans remained 10% more affordable.

Nazik explained the advantage: “In Istanbul’s economy segment, companies play for occupancy, not profit margins—they win with volume.” He pointed to fierce market competition, local production, and digital pricing tools as factors keeping short-term rental costs low.

Premium Rentals Tell a Different Story

However, not all segments favor Turkish consumers. The study showed that premium car rentals in Istanbul are 50% to 159% more expensive than in Berlin. The reason? Limited supply and higher risk costs. Nazik said, “Because premium cars are scarce, there’s no price competition, and insurance and damage risks are directly reflected in prices.”

Economic Pressures Reshaping Mobility

The LenaCars report comes amid Türkiye’s broader automotive challenges, where high inflation and currency depreciation have already forced consumers to rethink car ownership. The government’s recent auto tariffs, which range from 0% to 30% or $8,500 per passenger car, further highlight the sector’s heavy fiscal burden.

According to analysts, Türkiye’s case exemplifies a global mobility transition — from ownership to access — as individuals and businesses increasingly prioritize flexibility over long-term financial commitments.

Nazik summarized the shift succinctly: “Buying a car has become a heavy financial burden for individuals and companies, while rentals offer predictable and manageable costs.”

The Future of Mobility in Türkiye

If current trends continue, renting may soon replace owning as the dominant mode of access to personal vehicles in Türkiye. The market already reflects this shift: a growing number of consumers are opting for subscription-based or long-term rental models over car loans.

For many, the economics are simple — while buying means debt, renting means control. As car prices continue to outpace income growth, Türkiye’s consumers are redefining what mobility means in a new economic reality.