What is a good interest rate on a 72 month car loan?
An interest rate under 5% is a great rate for a 72-month auto loan. However, the best loan offers are only available to borrowers who have the best credit scores and payment histories.
Payment Period | Purchase APR* "As Low As" | Payment per $1,000 |
---|---|---|
Up to 66 Months | 6.99% | $18.29 |
Up to 72 Months | 7.24% | $17.16 |
Up to 75 Months | 7.49% | $16.74 |
Up to 78 Months | 7.74% | $16.36 |
FICO Score | Average new car rate | Average used car rate |
---|---|---|
781 to 850 (super prime) | 5.64% | 7.66% |
661 to 780 (prime) | 7.01% | 9.73% |
601 to 660 (near prime) | 9.60% | 14.12% |
501 to 600 (subprime) | 12.28% | 18.89% |
These car loans allow you to spread out the payment for a car over 72 months, resulting in a lower car payment each month than if you chose a shorter loan. Because 72-month car loans are common, you could have a high chance of finding a good interest rate since you'll have options for comparing different quotes.
Credit Score | New Car Loan | Used Car Loan |
---|---|---|
700-749 | 12.65% | 12.90% |
600-699 | 17.84% | 18.09% |
451-599 | 22.56% | 22.81% |
450 or lower | 21.40% | 21.65% |
A 72-month auto loan isn't always the best option. Compared to a 60-month loan, you'll pay interest for another 12 months, which increases the overall cost of borrowing. A 72-month auto loan also puts you more at risk of being upside-down on the loan, which is owing more than your vehicle is worth.
Car Loan APRs by Credit Score
Excellent (750 - 850): 2.96 percent for new, 3.68 percent for used. Good (700 - 749): 4.03 percent for new, 5.53 percent for used. Fair (650 - 699): 6.75 percent for new, 10.33 percent for used.
Top Auto Loan Lender | Lowest APR | Term Length |
---|---|---|
PenFed Credit Union | 5.24% | 36 to 84 months |
Auto Approve | 5.24%** | 12 to 84 months |
Consumers Credit Union | 6.54% | Up to 84 months |
Auto Credit Express | Varies | Varies |
Only borrowers with gold-plated credit usually qualify for 0% APR financing deals. That means you need a credit score in the Super Prime category that Experian pegs at 781-850. Moreover, some captive finance companies won't consider a borrower below the 800 bar for a no-interest loan.
I... Top Banks like Canara Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank, and State Bank of India are providing the cheapest car loans. Canara Bank interest rates range from 8.80 percent to 11.95 percent. HDFC Bank car loans start from 8.75 percent.
How much is a $30,000 car payment for 5 years?
Provided the down payment is $5,000, the interest rate is 10%, and the loan length is five years, the monthly payment will be $531.18/month. With a $1,000 down payment and an interest rate of 20% with a five year loan, your monthly payment will be $768.32/month.
If you choose a loan term of 72 months, your monthly payment drops to $316, and a 60-month loan term will be $377. A car loan with a low-interest rate could leave you with monthly payments that are higher than you can afford.
For instance, using our loan calculator, if you buy a $20,000 vehicle at 5% APR for 60 months the monthly payment would be $377.42 and you would pay $2,645.48 in interest.
0% APR cards require good to excellent credit
This means you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 670 or a VantageScore credit score of at least 661. If you have very good or excellent credit, which means a FICO score of at least 740 or a VantageScore of at least 781, your chances of approval are even higher.
Credit score | Average APR, new car | Average APR, used car |
---|---|---|
Prime: 661-780. | 7.01%. | 9.73%. |
Nonprime: 601-660. | 9.60%. | 14.12%. |
Subprime: 501-600. | 12.28%. | 18.89%. |
Deep subprime: 300-500. | 14.78%. | 21.55%. |
The lowest auto loan rate in 2023 was 6.15 percent for a four-year used car loan in mid-January. Bankrate's expert predicts five-year new car loan rates will reach an average of 7.0 percent and four-year used car loans, 7.5 percent by the end of 2024.
A 72-month loan for a car is a long-term loan, and long-term loans typically come with higher interest. While long-term loans translate to lower monthly payments, they result in more interest paid over the life of the loan. With that said, an interest rate of around 5% for a 72-month auto loan is considered ideal.
NerdWallet typically recommends keeping auto loans to no more than 60 months for new cars and 36 months for used cars — although that can be a challenge for some people in today's market with high car prices. Ultimately, choosing the best auto loan term depends on balancing cost, affordability and your specific needs.
Key takeaways. A longer loan term means you'll get a lower monthly payment, but you'll also pay more in interest. A shorter loan term is better, as it helps minimize borrowing costs and the risk of being upside-down on your loan.
Key takeaways. Your credit card APR can go up if the prime rate changes, you paid your credit card bill late, your intro APR offer ended or your credit score dropped. If your APR increases, you can work on paying down your balance or transfer your balance to a card with a low or 0 percent intro APR offer.
What is a good credit score for a car loan?
The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian.
In February 2023, car shoppers could explore auto loan options with rates hovering around a more manageable terrain. Fast forward to February 2024, and the scenario has shifted. According to the J.D. Power's U.S. Automotive Forecast, we're now looking at an average new car interest rate of 6.9%.
Capital One auto loans are great for people who don't have perfect credit, offering no-risk prequalifications. However, using one makes it hard to shop around for cars and you may not live in a state where the loans are available.
- Best Overall: PenFed.
- Best for Bad Credit/Low Rates: AUTOPAY.
- Best Credit Union: Consumers Credit Union.
- Best for Refinance: LendingTree.
- Best for Fair Credit: LendingClub.
- Best for Full Car Buying Experience: Carvana.
One way to lower the interest rate on a car loan is to compare rates and payments terms from different sources to know all your options. Be sure to ask your current lender for a lower APR on your car loan. If you are denied a loan, inform them of your other offers and see if they will match or beat the lowest offer.
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