Current auto loan rates for 2020

What you need to know about auto loans

Auto loans let you borrow the money you need to purchase a car. Since car loans are considered “secured,” they require you to use the automobile you’re buying as collateral for the loan.

This is both good news and bad news. The fact that your loan is secured does put your car at risk of repossession if you don’t repay the loan, but having collateral typically helps you qualify for lower interest rates and better auto loan terms.

Auto loans typically come with fixed interest rates and loan terms ranging from two to seven years, but it’s possible to negotiate different terms depending on your lender.

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When shopping for an auto loan, compare APRs across multiple lenders to make sure you’re getting a competitive rate. Also look for lenders that keep fees to a minimum and offer repayment terms that fit your needs. Loan details presented here are current as of the publish date. Check the lenders’ websites for more current information. The auto loan lenders listed here are selected based on factors such as APR, loan amounts, fees, credit requirements and more.

Best auto loan rates

Auto loan rates by credit score

Source: Experian: State of the Automotive Finance Market Q1 2020.

Best auto loan lenders in 2020

• LightStream: Best overall
• Bank of America: Best big bank option
• Capital One: Best for convenience
• Carvana: Best fully online experience
• myAutoLoan: Best for shopping for multiple loan offers

LightStream: Best overall

Overview: With auto loan options for every type of deal you can imagine — including new cars, used cars from a dealer or private seller, lease buyouts and even classic car financing — LightStream is a great option for those with good to excellent credit.

Perks: According to Experian, the average new car loan is just over $35,000, with most people choosing a 60- or 72-month auto loan term. To finance that amount, and with those terms, LightStream currently has APRs between 4.69 percent and 10.39 percent for a new car loan (including a 0.5 percent discount for borrowers on autopay). LightStream is also able to fund your loan the same day you apply (pending approval), and this provider offers loan amounts from $5,000 to $100,000. LightStream even offers a Rate Beat Program in which it will beat a competitive APR (depending on certain terms and conditions) by 0.1 percentage points.

What to watch out for: You will have to sign up for autopay to get LightStream's best terms, and its longer loan terms and higher loan amounts come with less-competitive interest rates.

Bank of America: Best big bank option

Overview: Bank of America offers flexible and convenient auto loans you can apply for directly on its website. Rates are competitive, and you can qualify for additional discounts if you’re an eligible Bank of America customer.

Perks: Bank of America will finance a minimum of $7,500 ($8,000 in Minnesota) and requires that the car be no more than 10 years old, with no more than 125,000 miles and valued at no less than $6,000. Financing is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Bank of America’s APRs start at 2.69 percent for a new car and 2.99 percent for a used car.

If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you can qualify for a rate discount of up to 0.5 percent off.

What to watch out for: If you're applying online, the term range you can apply for is more limited — you can pick only a 48-, 60 or 72-month term.

Capital One: Best for convenience

Overview: Capital One will let you borrow as little as $4,000, but it requires you to purchase the car through one of its participating dealers. In a lot of ways, its financing works as a “one-stop shop” for your auto loan and vehicle purchase.

Perks: The Capital One Auto Navigator site lets you search for inventory in your area and gives you the ability to see how different makes, models and features will impact your monthly payment. This will give you a lot of information before you head to the dealer. Also, the quick prequalification allows you to check your rate through a soft inquiry, so your credit score won’t be impacted.

What to watch out for: You can only use Capital One auto financing to shop at one of its participating dealerships, which makes this a poor option if you find a car you love elsewhere.

Carvana: Best fully online experience

Overview: Carvana lets you shop for a car online and pick up your purchase from a giant “car vending machine.” Its process lets you enjoy a unique experience, yet Carvana also offers competitive car loan rates and terms.

Perks: Carvana is a great option for those who want to shop for their new car from home, as well as those with poor credit. Carvana’s only requirements are that you are at least 18 years old, make $4,000 in yearly income and have no active bankruptcies. When you prequalify, Carvana does not make a hard inquiry on your credit, so your credit score won’t be impacted; a hard inquiry is made only once you place an order.

What to watch out for: After you are prequalified, you have 45 days to make a purchase from Carvana inventory and either pick up the car, have it delivered to you or fly to the car and then drive it back.

myAutoLoan: Best for shopping for multiple loan offers

Overview: If you want to compare multiple loan offers but you don’t 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, you’ll 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.

Frequently asked questions about auto loan rates

How do auto loans work?

Auto loans are secured loans that use the car you’re buying as collateral. You’re typically asked to pay a fixed interest rate and monthly payment for 24 to 84 months, at which point your car will be paid off.

Because auto loans are secured, they tend to come with lower interest rates than unsecured loan options like personal loans.

Who has the best rates for car loans?

The company that is able to offer you the lowest rates for an auto loan can vary depending on where you live, your credit score, your employment history and other factors. Your best bet is shopping around among at least three auto lenders until you find the best deal.

Is a 72-month car loan a bad idea?

One problem with longer car loans is the fact that you often wind up “underwater” on your loan for the first few years. This is due to the fact that cars tend to depreciate faster than you can pay your loan off.

A 72-month car loan means you’re paying your loan off more slowly and have the potential to owe more than your car is worth for the first few years. However, longer car loans let you secure a more affordable monthly payment, which is likely an important consideration for your budget.

What are used car loan interest rates?

Used car interest rates range from 4.49 percent to 17.74 percent for most borrowers, according to the most recent statistics from Experian. Rates for used cars tend to be higher than those offered for new car purchases, so make sure to keep this in mind.

What credit score do you need to get 0% financing on a car?

Superprime borrowers with credit scores above 781 are most likely to qualify for 0 percent APR offers that sometimes come with a new car. However, you may be able to qualify if you’re a prime borrower with a score between 661 and 780.

How do you get prequalified for an auto loan?

You can get prequalified for an auto loan online and without ever leaving your home. All you have to do is select one of the lenders on this list and choose its online option to “get prequalified” or “apply for a loan.” Some of the lenders that made our ranking even let you get prequalified for an auto loan without a hard inquiry on your credit report.