Auto Loan Calculator
Enter the car price, pick a term, and choose a lender's verified APR — or enter a rate you were quoted yourself. The calculator shows your monthly payment, total interest, and the true total cost of the loan.
Below your result, it automatically ranks every auto lender that publishes a rate by what the loan actually costs, using November 2026 verified rates.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the loan amount — the car's price minus your down payment and any trade-in.
- Pick a term — 36 to 84 months. Shorter terms cost less overall.
- Choose an APR — pick one of the verified November 2026 lender rates from the list, or select Custom APR and type in a rate you were quoted.
- Press Calculate — your monthly payment, total interest, and total cost appear instantly, followed by a lender comparison ranked by true total cost.
The payment formula
Every figure on this page comes from the standard amortizing-loan formula:
M = P·r(1+r)n / ((1+r)n − 1)
where P is the loan amount, r is the monthly rate (APR ÷ 12), and n is the number of monthly payments. The same formula drives the calculator and the comparison table — no rounding tricks, no hidden steps.
Worked example
A $35,000 new-car loan at 4.44% APR (PenFed Credit Union's verified November 2026 rate) over 60 months:
- Monthly payment: $651.55
- Total interest: $4,093.07
- Total cost: $39,093.07
Run the same loan through the calculator to confirm — the result matches to the cent.
How our auto rates are verified
Rates are re-verified every month against each lender's own website. This cycle covers November 2026, with rates checked on the lenders' pages on November 1, 2026.
Across the whole site, 20 of 29 products are officially verified and 9 are quote-required. Comparisons always rank by true total cost (monthly payment × term + fees), never by headline APR alone. Lenders that publish no rate — currently Ally Bank and TD Bank for auto — are labeled Quote required and are never ranked on invented figures.
A note on advice
This calculator is educational and does not constitute financial advice. Published rates are starting rates for the month shown; your actual offer will depend on your credit profile, income, and the vehicle you finance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good auto loan APR right now?
Among lenders that publish their rates, verified starting APRs for November 2026 run from 4.44% (PenFed Credit Union) to 6.81% (U.S. Bank). These are starting rates for excellent credit on new cars — your offer depends on your credit profile.
Should I compare the monthly payment or the total cost?
Total cost. The monthly payment can be shrunk by stretching the term, which hides thousands in extra interest. Multiply the monthly payment by the term and add any fees — the lowest total is the cheapest loan.
Why are Ally and TD Bank not in the comparison?
Ally Bank and TD Bank are not ranked because they publish no APR — Ally finances through dealers and TD is dealership-only. Ranking them on a guessed number would be inventing data, so they stay listed as quote required.
Does a longer loan term lower my payment?
Yes. A 72-month term on a $35,000 car at 4.44% APR cuts the payment to about $555 but adds roughly $4,975 in interest versus the 60-month total. Longer terms also keep you owing more than the car is worth for years.
Is the rate shown my guaranteed offer?
No. The APRs on this page are each lender's published starting rates for November 2026, checked on the lender's own website — not personalized offers. Your actual rate depends on your credit, income, and the vehicle.