No, you generally cannot get a car dealer to remove the destination fee. This charge, also known as a freight fee, is a non-negotiable cost set by the manufacturer to cover the expense of transporting the vehicle from the factory or port to the dealership. It is a mandatory fee applied to every new car sold and is not a source of profit for the dealership itself.
Because the dealer pays this fee to the manufacturer, they are required to pass it on to the customer. Attempting to have it removed is like asking the dealer to sell you the car without including the cost of the wheels. However, while the fee itself is fixed, your negotiation power lies in the vehicle's total selling price. A more effective strategy is to focus on the car's final out-the-door price, negotiating down the dealer's profit margin to offset the destination charge and other fees.
The key is to understand that all fees are part of the car's total cost. Here is a comparison of destination fees for popular 2024 models, illustrating that this is a standard industry practice. These fees typically range from $1,000 to $1,400.
| Vehicle Model (2024) | Destination Fee (MSRP) |
|---|
| Honda CR-V | $1,350 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $1,350 |
| Ford F-150 | $1,795 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $1,195 |
| Hyundai Tucson | $1,335 |
| Jeep Wrangler | $1,895 |
| Tesla Model Y | $1,390 (Documentation & Destination) |
| Kia Sportage | $1,335 |
Instead of fixating on the destination fee, use it as a benchmark for comparison shopping. When you get quotes from different dealers, always ask for the out-the-door price, which includes all taxes and fees. This allows you to see the true total cost and negotiate from there. If one dealer is offering a significant discount on the vehicle price but has a higher documentation fee, the bottom line might be similar to a dealer with a smaller discount and lower fees. Your goal is to get the best overall deal, not to eliminate a specific, legitimate cost of doing business.
