Auto Loans: What APR You Should Actually Expect
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Auto Loans: What APR You Should Actually Expect
I applied for an auto loan three times this year — and the rates shocked me. If you think you're walking into a dealership and getting 2.9%, think again. Here’s the real story on best auto loan rates in 2025.
What APR Actually Looks Like in 2025
Based on lender offers I saw this spring, here’s the average auto loan APR by credit score:
- Excellent (750+): 5.1% for new, 6.2% for used
- Good (680–749): 6.8% new, 8.3% used
- Fair (600–679): 10.5% new, 13.2% used
- Poor (<600): 15–23% across the board
New vs Used Auto Loan Rates
New car loans had lower rates on paper, but dealers offered better promos with in-house financing. Used cars? More flexibility, but rates are higher. Used auto loan rates from credit unions beat dealer finance options for me.
What Really Affects Your Rate
It’s not just credit score. Here’s what impacted mine:
- Vehicle age — older than 5 years? Higher APR
- Loan term — 36-month got lower rate than 72-month
- Dealer vs bank — dealers inflated rates by 1–2%
APR vs “Finance Rate” Tricks
Some lenders advertise 0% “finance” but build it into the car price. Ask for the true APR breakdown — or use auto loan rates by credit tier charts to run comparisons.
APR Math: What I Paid
On a $28,000 used SUV with 10% APR over 60 months, I paid $7,600 in interest. Refinancing dropped my new rate to 6.9%, saving me $1,900. Refinance auto loan rates 2025 are worth checking.
Final Thoughts
If you're buying in 2025, expect rates between 6% and 13% for most people. Credit unions still beat banks in most cases. Just don’t take the dealer’s “best deal” at face value — compare and save.
Permalink: https://cards.buildcreditfromzero.com/2025/04/auto-loan-apr-guide.html
Labels: best auto loan rates, car loan 2025, new vs used car APR, refinance auto loan, dealership vs credit union
Search Description: Think all car loans have the same APR? I compared real offers by score and term. Here’s what I actually got — and what to expect in 2025.
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