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What to know first: To drive away with the best deal, you need to arrive at the dealership lot with a plan for financing your car. Auto loans are a type of secured financing that help borrowers pay for a new or used car. They are available from dealerships and lenders. Because there are many lenders on the market, shopping around for a loan — just like you would your car — will help you find the best rates available.

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NEW

myAutoLoan: Best for fair credit borrowers

4.0
APR from
6.94%
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
Starting at $8,000
Min credit score
600
See ratesArrow Right

Apply on partner site

NEW

Carputty: Best for auto loan for used car purchase

4.4
APR from
4.33- 12.33%
Loan term
4-6 yrs
Loan amount
$25k- $250K
Min credit score
680
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Apply on partner site

REFINANCE

Gravity Lending: Best for no fees

4.4
APR from
4.99- 14.99%
Loan term
2-8 yrs
Loan amount
$15k- $150K
Min credit score
640
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Apply on partner site

USED

myAutoLoan: Best for fair credit borrowers

4.0
APR from
6.94%
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
Starting at $8,000
Min credit score
600
See ratesArrow Right

Apply on partner site

REFINANCE

Auto Approve: Best for loan comparison

4.2
APR from
5.49- 24.99%
Loan term
1-8 yrs
Loan amount
$10k- $150K
Min credit score
620
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Autopay: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For New Car Purchases

4.6
APR from
4.85%
Loan term
1-8 yrs
Loan amount
$2.5k- $100K
Min credit score
580
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Apply on partner site

REFINANCE

myAutoLoan: Best for comparing rates with good credit

4.0
APR from
4.99%
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $120K
Min credit score
600
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Apply on partner site

REFINANCE

Caribou: Best for fair credit loan comparison

4.5
APR from
5.48- 28.55%
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $125K
Min credit score
640
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NEW

Cars Direct: Best for poor credit borrowers

3.8
APR from
Not Specified
Loan term
2-6 yrs
Loan amount
$25k- $250K
Min credit score
700
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Apply on partner site

REFINANCE

Carputty: Best for frequent car buyers

4.4
APR from
4.33- 12.33%
Loan term
4-6 yrs
Loan amount
$25k- $250K
Min credit score
680
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Apply on partner site

LightStream: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner For Best Online Lender

4.0
APR from
7.19- 15.44%
* with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
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Apply on partner site

REFINANCE

RefiJet: Best for customer support

4.1
APR from
5.24- 21.99%
Loan term
2-8 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $150K
Min credit score
560
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REFINANCE

iLending: Best for poor credit refinancing

4.5
APR from
5.49- 19.24%
Loan term
1-8 yrs
Loan amount
$2.5k- $100K
Min credit score
560
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Apply on partner site

Lightstream: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner For Best Online Lender

4.0
APR from
6.94- 15.19%
* with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$2.5k- $100K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
See ratesArrow Right

Apply on partner site

LightStream: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner For Best Online Lender

4.0
APR from
6.94- 15.19%
* with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
See ratesArrow Right

Apply on partner site

NEW

Tenet: Best for specialized EV loans

4.1
APR from
5.99- 16.20%
Loan term
3-7 yrs
Loan amount
$15k- $95K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
Read our reviewArrow Right

Read review on Bankrate

USED

Carputty: Best for online car buying

4.4
APR from
4.33- 12.33%
Loan term
4-6 yrs
Loan amount
$2.5k- $100K
Min credit score
680
See ratesArrow Right

Apply on partner site

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MyAutoLoan
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4
Fixed APR
6.94%
Loan amount
Starting at $8,000
Min credit score
600

LightStream
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4
Fixed APR
6.94%–15.19%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
Not specified

Bank of America
Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5
3.7
Fixed APR
5.79%
Loan amount
$7.5k
Min credit score
Not specified

PenFed
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
4.44%
Loan amount
150,000
Min credit score
Not specified

Carputty
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
4.33%–12.33%
Loan amount
$25k– $250k
Min credit score
680

Consumers Credit Union
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Fixed APR
4.99%
Loan amount
Not specified
Min credit score
Not specified

Tenet
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Fixed APR
5.99%–16.20%
Loan amount
$15k– $95k
Min credit score
Not specified

Pros

  • Checkmark Icon

    Spreads out expenses: Securing a loan cuts down the amount of money you have to spend up front for your vehicle, instead you will pay across the course of your agreed loan term.

  • Checkmark Icon

    Afford a better car: With more time to repay your lender, you may be able to afford a nicer vehicle than what you could by buying outright.

  • Checkmark Icon

    You own the car at the end: Unlike with leasing, the vehicle will be yours once the loan is fully paid off.

  • Checkmark Icon

    May improve your credit score: Payment history makes up 35 percent of your FICO score. If you have proven loan pay-off history, your score could improve.

Cons

  • Monthly payments can be expensive: Due to a number of factors, interest rates are high right now. The average new car payment is $734 per month, according to Experian data.

  • Risk of damaging your finances: If you struggle with keeping your finances in order, beware of how missed payments may affect your credit and your ability to drive your car.

  • Your vehicle’s value depreciates: Your vehicle will start to depreciate the moment you exit the dealership.

  • Stuck with the same car for longer: If you like to switch up your vehicle every couple of years, leasing may be a better option.

Average rates as of February 05, 2025

60-month new car 7.49%
48-month new car 7.39%
48-month used car 8.07%
36-month used car 7.86%
CREDIT SCORE NEW CAR LOANS USED CAR LOANS
781 to 850 (super prime) 5.08% 7.41%
661 to 780 (prime) 6.70% 9.63%
601 to 660 (nonprime) 9.73% 14.07%
501 to 600 (subprime) 13.00% 18.95%
300 to 500 (deep subprime) 15.43% 21.55%

Why is it important to compare more than monthly payments?


Nationally recognized finance expert

It’s important to look beyond the monthly payment so you’re aware of all the terms of the loan. There are many factors, such as the interest rate and loan term, that help determine the monthly payment. For instance, one lender might be able to offer a lower monthly payment compared to other lenders because the loan term is longer. You’d save money on monthly payments, but you’d pay more interest in the long run. Review all the terms for each lender, including the interest rates, the loan terms and fee structures.

Auto loans expert

A smaller monthly auto loan payment provides you with the illusion of money saved. When comparing lenders, check the interest rate, loan term, potential fees and speed of funding. More than that, disclosing your ideal monthly payment to a lender or dealer can be used against you. Dealers can stretch out the loan term, which could result in you spending more on your vehicle over the course of the loan. Instead, focus on the overall cost of your auto loan, including interest. Take advantage of an auto loan calculator to see how much you will spend each month and overall when comparing loan offers.

Bankrate's trusted auto loans industry expertise

48

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26

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

520

data points collected