GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

Many dealers have come to expect tax season price and sales strength in the smaller and entry-level car segments, known for tax-return draw.

But this year, according to the latest weekly Black Book Market Insights report, tax season impacted a much broader swath of vehicle segments.

According to the report, Black Book data shows strength in additional segments, such as entry-midsize, full-size and upper-midsize car segments, as well as compact SUVs on the truck side.

Reinforcing this assertion was comments Black Book analysts heard coming out of the auction lanes last week, such as “Anything under $10,000 was in demand,” from an auction in Pennsylvania, as well as  “Almost all segments seemed strong” — a comment stemming from an auction in California.

Last week, the entry level cars saw a spike of .18 percent (or $11), while the entry-midsize and full-size car segments both saw prices rise by $19.

Interestingly, the upper midsize car segment saw the largest price increase for the cars last week, rising by $33, or .33 percent.

And compact SUVs, another segment being positively impacted by tax return dollars, saw prices rise by $64 (.36 percent).

“The improved economy and still-low gas prices are resulting in broad strength in the market as a more diverse set of segments are getting looks from the buyers,” said Anil Goyal, vice president of automotive valuation and analytics at Black Book.

Goyal also pointed out low fuel prices could also be playing a role in equalizing demand for full-size cars as well as some of the higher volume truck segments, such as compact SUVS (+$64), compact CUVs (+$8) and full-size SUVs (+$12).

 Gas prices continue to drop, falling by 3 cents last week to an average of $2.45 per gallon.