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Plush, temperature-controlled seating. Ample legroom for a family of four and even your dog. Space for your mugs. Amazon is betting that the couch is the best place to shop for cars — particularly if you’re a busy family.
Since launching Amazon Autos a year ago, the online retail juggernaut is keen to expand its reach and selection and is directly appealing to parents to promote the service (1).
At first, you could only buy a new Hyundai on Amazon Autos. By August 2025, dealers could list any brand’s used cars on the platform (2). Then in November, Ford joined, but is also limiting its offerings to used cars only. The platform is partnered with 130 dealers in 48 markets.
Amazon Autos Global Director Fan Jin says there have been growing pains.
“I would love to see more selection,” she said at the Presidio Group Auto Technology Conference in October (3). “That’s the No. 1 customer feedback.”
She added that based on feedback, the company is shifting gears to give online car buyers more time for everything: choosing the vehicle they want, deciding what extras they’d like to go with that choice — and considering the total cost associated with those decisions.
“We’re slowing that process down so that customers really understand of course the vehicle decision, but also the financial and product decision,” she said (5).
“So how do we build flexibility there and give them the time to think about it before they press that Place Order?”
That’s important. While the process is undeniably fast and convenient — no haggling, just picking up the car — it flips the entire script on the traditional car purchasing process.
And because financing happens before the test drive, it’s easy to feel locked in even when the car isn’t what you expected.
Small details can derail the speedy transaction. For example, any mistakes in the trim selection or disappointments during the test drive could make it difficult to walk back from the purchase, as financing is already finalized.
If you want to use the online car shopping experience and it’s available in your area, here’s what to know before jumping in.
Amazon Auto’s click-to-buy shopping experience starts with an easy-to-use interface that allows you to search for vehicles that suit your needs and compare options.
Once you pick out a car you like, you’ll jump straight into the financing process. This skips past the traditional next step of test-driving the vehicle.
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Shoppers will find a variety of loan options, lease terms and an option to pay with cash — with a transparent breakdown of costs and any savings or rebates you might qualify for.
If you have a trade-in, you’ll receive an instant estimate of value for the vehicle from an independent evaluator (6).
The financing process starts with a loan application, which includes a credit check. If approved and you accept the terms of the deal, the dealership will prepare your final paperwork and you’ll receive loan contracts to e-sign before you pick up the vehicle.
Finally, you’ll go pick up your vehicle from the lot.
It’s a straightforward process that works, unless the vehicle you’ve picked out doesn’t meet your expectations.
What happens if you get to the lot and don’t like the vehicle?
You might not like anything from the trim selection to the smells inside or even the way the car handles. Particularly if it’s a used car.
If you’ve already signed a retail installment sales contract, it might be too late to back out of the sale.
Even if you are legally within your rights to get out of the contract, many dealerships will pressure you to stick with the original vehicle and contract, creating a hassle if you want a different car.
Keep in mind that submitting a loan application and receiving a financing offer doesn’t mean you have a binding contract.
While you’ll have to agree to a hard credit check, which can ding your credit, you aren’t required to accept the loan offer, take the car or commit to regular monthly payments at that point.
But when you sign a loan agreement or retail installment sales contract, that’s when the financing is final (7). If you sign this paperwork before heading to the dealership, this could lock you into the purchase.
Federal laws have a ‘cooling off’ period built into large transactions like auto loans. In some situations, this can give you three business days to cancel the transaction, but it’s better not to rely on this option.
In order to protect yourself from getting stuck with a vehicle you don’t love, ask the dealership upfront if you can walk away after a test drive.
Also, consider skipping dealership financing altogether. If you shop around across several lenders, like credit unions and online banks, you may find more affordable financing you can finalize after a test drive
Although this might mean spending a little time doing paperwork at the dealership and with a lender, it could save you a major headache if the vehicle isn’t up to your expectations.
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
USA Today Sponsored Content (1, 5); Dealership Guy (2); Presidio Group Auto Technology Conference (3, 4); Auto News (6); Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice (7)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.