What’s The Lowest Auto Loan Rates

Auto Loan Interest Rates

Example: A loan amount of $25,000 with a rate as low as 1.69% for 66 months would have an approximate monthly payment of $397.13

Subject to approval. Approval and actual rate and term offered is based on overall creditworthiness factors and satisfactory collateral.

Best Bank For Auto Loans: Bank Of America

Bank of America

• As low as 2.14%
• Minimum loan amount: $7,500

Bank of America auto loans come with the backing of a major financial institution. Low rates and a big selection of loan options make it a major competitor in the auto loan landscape. In J.D. Power’s 2020 Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study, which deals with auto loans, Bank of America ranked seventh out of 12 in its segment and scored equal to the average.

• Offers new, used, and refinance auto loans

• Transparent rates and terms online

• Well-known financial institution

• Restrictions on which vehicles it will finance

• High minimum loan amount

Bank of America is a large financial institution offering a number of auto loan options, including new, used, refinance, lease buyout, and private party loans.

For the most creditworthy borrowers, APRs start at 2.14% for new vehicles. Used vehicle loans start at 2.34% APR, while refinances start at 3.14% APR. Customers of the bank who are Preferred Rewards members can get up to a 0.5% discount on their rate.

BofA provides a no-fee online application that it claims can offer a decision within 60 seconds. You can choose from a 48-, 60-, or 72-month term online, but there are additional options ranging from 12 to 75 months if you complete the application process at a branch or over the phone.

Consumers Credit Union Reviews

Consumers Credit Union has a relatively strong standing in the industry. It is accredited by the BBB and holds an A+ rating from the organization.

There arent many Consumers Credit Union customer reviews across review sites. However, the positive reviews we found praise the lenders good customer experience, consistently great rates and low fees.

Customers are also pleased to be part of a member-owned organization instead of a bank. That said, people who reported a negative experience with Consumers Credit Union report technical issues and delays with applications.

Our team reached out to Consumers Credit Union for a comment on these reviews but did not receive a response.

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Best For Fair Credit: Carvana

Carvana

For fair credit borrowers in the market for a used vehicle, Carvana provides the ability to shop online for financing and a vehicle at the same time. It has no minimum credit score requirement, providing a financing solution for those with damaged credit.

• Entirely online dealer and lender

• No negotiation

• Excellent credit borrowers get the lowest rates

• Minimum income requirement of $4,000 annually

• Only for used vehicles

As with most lenders, borrowers with the best credit get Carvana’s most competitive rates. Carvana does not advertise its rates or publish a table, but you can estimate your monthly payment with an online calculator. That said, even the calculator does not reveal the rate it is using. You must prequalify to know what your interest rate will be.

Carvana is a completely online used car dealer that also provides direct financing. It makes it possible to secure financing, shop for a vehicle, and get a used vehicle delivered without leaving your house. There is no credit score minimum for its financing program, making this an attractive option for fair credit borrowers. However, you must have an income of at least $4,000 annually and no active bankruptcies.

Penfed Credit Union: Top Credit Union

Starting APR:0.99% for new vehicles, 1.99% for used vehiclesLoan amounts:$500 to $100,000Loan terms: 36 to 84 monthsAvailability:50 statesMinimum credit score:610

Pentagon Federal Credit Union, or PenFed, is a military credit union that offers some of the best auto loan rates on the market. We named it Top Credit Union for auto loans because of its availability and fantastic rates.

While PenFed is primarily for military members and their families, it is also open to people who work for certain government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Even if you dont fall into any of these groups, you can join by making a donation to an approved charity.

At 0.99%, PenFeds starting APR for new vehicles is the lowest of any of the auto loan providers we researched. To get that rate, however, youll need to buy a new car through PenFeds car buying service. If you shop for a car on your own, the APR starts at 1.79%. Like with most credit unions, PenFed members are eligible for special deals, such as discounts and reimbursements for shopping at partner dealerships.

However, qualifying for a PenFed auto loan might be hard for some. The credit union only accepts borrowers with credit scores of 610 or higher. In addition, PenFed has a steep $29 charge for late loan payments.

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Myautoloan: Best For Shopping For Multiple Loan Offers

Overview: If you want to compare multiple loan offers but you dont want to spend a lot of time doing it, myAutoLoan is a great option. This platform lets you enter your information once and receive multiple loan offers in one place.

Perks: After filling out a single online loan application, youll be given up to four quotes from different lenders. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, have an annual income of $21,000, have a FICO score of 575 or greater and be purchasing a car with less than 125,000 miles and that is 10 years old or newer. By comparing multiple auto loan offers at once, you can pick the one with the interest rate, loan term and conditions that work for you and your budget without having to shop around.

What to watch out for: If you have poor credit, your interest rate could be on the higher side. Also note that you can use this platform if you live in most states, but not in Alaska or Hawaii.

Join The Millions Of Canadians Saving Money Right Here

LowestRates.ca is an online rate comparison website for insurance, mortgages, loans, and credit cards. Our free, independent service saves you time and money by comparing products offered by Canadas leading financial institutions and providers, all in one place. Our mission? To help Canadians become more financially literate, and so far weve helped our users save more than $1 billion in interest and fees. Learn more about LowestRates.ca.

Compare offers from 75+ top Canadian providers

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How To Calculate Car Loan Emi

The Equated Monthly Installments that you will pay will depend on a few key factors.

• The size of the loan
• The interest rate that is applicable to the loan
• The tenure of the loan
• The processing fees

The higher the loan amount, the higher your EMI will be. Similarly, the shorter the loan tenure the higher the EMI. To find the best compromise between an affordable EMI and duration you should check out our car loan EMI calculator.

Top 6 Auto Loan Providers

Based on our research, these providers are among the top car loan lenders in the industry, and weve ranked them after evaluating their rates, reputations, availability, and customer service. Be sure to compare personalized quotes from lenders before making a decision.

*Auto Approve only offers auto loans for refinancing and lease buyouts. This rate reflects the companys starting APR for refinancing.

**Bank of Americas starting annual percentage rate may vary by state. The APR shown here is for New York.

When it comes to the best auto loan rates, each provider offers varying rates to car buyers in different situations. While one lender may offer lower interest rates for borrowers with good credit than other financial institutions, another provider may specialize in lending to people with bad credit. Weve noted the starting APRs for top providers in the table above, but only borrowers with excellent credit will be eligible for rates that low.

Each of our five best auto loan providers has its benefits, as well as drawbacks. Based on what we learned from studying the top auto lenders in the country, our team recommends the following providers to start your search for the best auto loan rates.

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Schoolsfirst Federal Credit Union

Loan amount: Up to 100 percent of the MSRPTerms: 36 to 84 months

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit union offers many financing options and deals for its members. The credit union is partnered with companies like Autoland and Enterprise to bring customers exclusive savings. It also offers discounts on Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance and options for no payment for 90 days.

Along with all the different ways to save, SchoolsFirst also gives borrowers the choice of how to apply for a loan: online, on the phone or in person. Members include current and retired school employees and their families.

How Much Does A Low Interest Rate Car Loan Cost

Low interest car loans come with a few costs, but each individual loan will differ depending on the lender you apply with.

Heres are some fees to watch out for:

• The origination fee. This is the cost to set up your car loan. Lenders usually add this fee into your loan amount to be paid off with the rest of your principal.
• Other monthly fees. Some loans could have maintenance fees to keep your account open.
• Early or additional repayment fees. If you repay your loan early or make additional payments you may be charged a fee to make up for the loss of interest on your loan.
• Late payment fees. Set up autopay to avoid the fee for late or missed payments.

Consider your loan term

How much your car loan costs also depends on how long you take to pay it back that means theres more time for interest to add up

Lets assume you want to borrow $20,000. Over a five-year term you might be quoted an 8% interest rate, but youre offered a 7.5% rate if you accept a seven-year loan term. Lets see how it would work out.

If you choose the 7.5% interest rate your payments are almost $100 per month cheaper. This can be appealing because its obviously more budget-friendly. Unfortunately, even with the cheaper interest rate you end up paying more than $1,436 in additional interest charges.

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How Does An Auto Loan Work

We will loan you the money for a new or used vehicle, and you will pay it back with interest over a specified period of time.

Its good to plan ahead by getting preapproved for your Auto Loan. That way you can have a better idea of what price range you should be shopping for. Being preapproved also gives you good negotiating power with the seller.

Elements can finance up to 120% of your cars value, including tax and license. Its a good idea, though, to put down at least 20% of the purchase price. Of course, the more you pay up front, the lower your monthly payment will be.

How Long Does The Application And Funding Process Take

The timeline for application and funding can vary, depending on how quickly the required documentation is provided. In many instances, we are able to provide instant decisions on applications submitted through our online application. You will receive a notification if further review is needed to decision your application. Once you provide all of the documentation needed to finalize your loan, the check is usually delivered by FedEx within 2-3 business days.

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Best Credit Union For Auto Loans: Consumers Credit Union

Consumers Credit Union

• As low as 2.24%
• Minimum loan amount: None

• No minimum or maximum loan amount

• Offers new, used, and refinance loans

• Offers transparent rates and terms

• Lowest rates require excellent credit

• Membership in credit union is required

Consumers Credit Union offers auto loan rates to its members as low as 2.24% for new car loans up to 60 months. Like other credit unions, it requires membership, but it’s easy to join. You can become a member by paying a one-time $5 membership fee. There are no geographic or employer requirements.

CCU doesn’t have a minimum or maximum loan amount. Your loan is approved based on your credit score, credit report, and vehicle information. There’s also no minimum loan termyou submit a request based on what you need.

Generally, borrowers with excellent credit will qualify for the lowest rates from Consumers Credit Union. But even members who have less than excellent credit have access to discounts. There’s a 0.5% discount available for those who autopay from a CCU account. The discount falls to 0.25% for those who make automatic payments from an outside financial institution.

We Can Make That Dream Vehicle More Affordable And Within Your Reach

If you have your eye on a new car, found a great deal on a used vehicle or want to refinance a higher-rate loan from another financial institution, our best-in-market auto loan rates can help you fit comfortably in the driver’s seat. LOC Credit Union has some of the best auto loan interest rates around. Preapproved auto loans are available for those who qualify so you know how much you can afford to spend before you start shopping.

Our auto loans offer:

• Low fixed rates on new and used autos
• Up to 115% financing
• Ability to lock your loan rate in for up to 90 days
• Flexible terms up to 84 months for some vehicle purchases based on year and dollar amount
• The ability to leverage any equity in your vehicle to pay off higher-rate debt elsewhere at the rate of your auto loan
• This option is perfect to simplify your debt into a single low rate payment and is available even if your car is paid off
• Not sure of your car’s value? Check Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds

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Applying For A Car Loan

Image source: Shutterstock

Youll need to complete the lenders car loan application form, where youll provide your basic personal and financial information. Youll also typically need to submit other documentation, including notices of assessments for two years, your monthly housing cost, the make and model of the vehicle youre considering purchasing, and any monthly debt obligations you have. A lending specialist will then review your files and crunch the numbers to see if you qualify for the loan. Pre-qualification can be done to see if you can afford the car you want . Pre-qualification is just like applying for a car loan, but without pulling your credit report, and therefore avoiding the potential hit to your credit score.

When applying for car loans, youll want to limit the number of lenders you apply with, as applying with too many lenders in a short period of time can negatively impact your credit score.

Compare Auto Loan Providers

As mentioned, one of the simplest ways to find the best auto loan rates is to shop around. Do this before you get in the room with a loan officer at a car dealership. You can get as many pre-approval offers as you want, as long as you make sure they only require a soft credit check. When youre ready to go ahead with an offer, you can do a full loan application with the financial institution that gives you the best auto loan rates.

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Getting Ready To Buy A Car

Our goal is to streamline and simplify the process of buying a car. Whether youd like help choosing the car thats right for you, or youve done your homework and youre ready to buy from a dealership or private seller, Unitus can help make your car buying experience run smoothly. Let us help you with:

• Finding a car through our Auto Mentors auto locator service
• Purchasing a car, truck or SUV through Enterprise Car Sales
• Refinancing
• Purchasing from a private party

How Do I Refinance My Car Loan

Refinancing a car loan is essentially just taking out a new car loan so the steps for applying are mostly the same. You’ll need your driver’s license, Social Security number and proof of income, as well as details about your car. If approved, you’ll use the funds from your new loan to pay off your old car loan, then begin making monthly payments with your new interest rate and terms.

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Best Online Auto Loan: Lightstream

LightStream

• 2.49% to 10.99%
• Minimum loan amount: $5,000

LightStream offers a fully online process for its extensive list of vehicle loan options. It’s very transparent about its rates and terms, and it has few restrictions on what kind of car it will finance. It’s also strong on customer service, receiving the top score in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study for personal loans.

• No restrictions on make, model, or mileage

• Offers unsecured loans to borrowers with excellent credit

• Prefers borrowers with good credit

LightStream is the online lending arm of SunTrust Bank. It stands out for its online lending process. Borrowers can apply online, e-sign the loan agreement, and receive funds via direct deposit as soon as the same day.

LightStream also offers a remarkably wide range of auto loan options, including new and used dealer purchases, refinancing, lease buyouts, and classic cars. It even offers unsecured loans for those with excellent credit.

Rates from the lender start as low as 2.49%, which includes a 0.5%-point discount for autopay. The maximum APR on an auto loan is 10.99%.