FWIW AppleCare for this price of machine has been the same duration and roughly the same price since forever, even before MBPs.

What they have quietly changed is now you can only buy it in the first 60 days instead of the first year which was a big surprise to me buying a new MBP. It had been the first year for a very, very long time — since inception IIRC. Of course I learned of this change after I'd already had my machine for more than 60 days. :/

There are a few ways to get it slightly cheaper like F&F discount. You also used to be able to get it cheaper from a third party store like B&H but it seems they've cut back on this recently.