At a glance
- Availability
- Affordability
- Customer Experience
- Transparency
About Caribou
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Loan amount
Not specified
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Min. credit score
Varies by lender
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APR from
4.99% to 36.00%
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Funds available in
Varies by lender
Caribou: 2023 Auto loan review
Published 2023-01-01 00:00:00
Caribou features
Consider these benefits and drawbacks of refinancing your auto loan with Caribou before signing off on an application.
PROS
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Ease of refinance and insurance bundling
Ability to compare rates
Prequalification offered
CONS
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Limited availability
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Potential processing fee
Caribou, formerly known as MotoRefi, offers competitive auto refinance loans through its network of lenders. These lenders range from credit unions to community banks. Drivers can benefit from its quick online process combined with the expertise of its team of loan experts.Kevin Bennet, CEO of Caribou, describes the mission as helping drivers from a variety of backgrounds save money and take control of their finances. It handles the heavy lifting when it comes to refinancing, and it offers auto insurance options to support this mission.Do you qualify?
Caribou does not disclose specific requirements when it comes to income or credit, but you can expect a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score when you prequalify. But if you do choose a loan and follow through with an application the process will include a hard credit pull.
While requirements are not disclosed according to Bennett, “… many people have seen their credit scores improve after purchasing their car and want access to better rates, others have always had good credit but walked off the car lot paying more than they should have.”
Regarding vehicle requirements, it should have positive equity and no more than 120,000 miles — some lenders in Caribou’s network accept vehicles with as many as 200,000 miles. Cars, trucks, SUVs and other passenger vehicles are eligible for refinancing, but they must not be used for commercial purposes.
What we like and what we don’t like
Consider these benefits and drawbacks of an auto loan with Caribou before signing off on an application.
What we like
- Ease of refi and insurance bundling. Caribou provides drivers with options for auto insurance and other add-ons when refinancing.
- Ability to compare rates. Caribou works with a network of different lenders, allowing you to compare rates directly through Caribou’s site.
- Prequalification offered. Following a soft credit check that doesn’t impact your credit score, you can apply for prequalification to get a better idea of what you can save.
What we don't like
- Limited availability. Caribou is not available to drivers in Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Wisconsin or West Virginia.
- Potential processing fee. The lender you’re matched with might pass along the $399 processing fee Caribou charges it.
How to contact Caribou
Caribou offers excellent customer service. Its easy-to-use website offers a chat feature along with account management and the ability to ask questions over the phone, by email or by appointment. Caribou offers drivers the ease and convenience of a fully online experience with the comfort of person-to-person communication.
Drivers with specific questions regarding their loan can reach out for help from team members Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
Auto loan types offered
Through its lender partnerships, drivers can improve their current loan while also shopping for other add-on products, including extended protection, cosmetic care and key replacement services. Terms and loan amounts vary by lender.
How to apply for a loan with Caribou
To apply for a loan with Caribou, head to its website and input basic information about yourself and the details of your vehicle and current loan.
Caribou FAQs
How Bankrate rates Caribou
Overall score 3.7 Availability 3.8 Caribou doesn’t have vehicle restrictions listed, and is available in most states. But it doesn’t provide the loan amounts available. Affordability 3.4 Since it goes through a network of lenders, Caribou does not disclose a complete list of interest rates or minimum requirements. Customer experience 3.8 Caribou has online access and customer service hours seven days a week. Transparency 5 Caribou offers prequalification so you can check your rates without damaging your credit score. Methodology
To rate lenders that specialize in auto refinance loans, Bankrate considers 16 different factors. These factors range in consideration from the loan amount, disclosed APR and acceptance criteria. Each lender holds a score based on four categories.
- Availability: This accounts for loan amounts, vehicle restrictions and availability in each state.
- Affordability: Primarily, this section covers expected APR, acceptance criteria, discounts for autopay and the number of fees.
- Customer experience: This category includes online access, support availability, funding timeline, option for automatic payment and app availability.
- Transparency: Here prequalification and disclosure of rates and fees are accounted for.
Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.