Top 10 Best Online Car Buying Sites & Shopping Tools in 2025
In today’s digital age, buying a car has never been easier. With the rise of online car buying platforms, customers can browse, compare, and purchase their next vehicle from the comfort of their homes. Whether you’re in the market for a brand-new car, a used vehicle, or even a certified pre-owned model, the top online car buying sites provide an abundance of resources to make your car-buying journey smooth and stress-free.
This list highlights the Top 10 Best Online Car Buying Sites & Shopping Tools that offer user-friendly platforms, reliable information, and robust search features to help you make informed decisions.
1. Autotrader
Why It’s Great:
- Autotrader is one of the most trusted names in online car shopping, offering a vast selection of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars. With advanced filters, you can easily narrow down your search by make, model, price, and location. Autotrader also provides helpful tools like financing options, vehicle history reports, and a trade-in evaluation feature.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive inventory of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars
- Advanced search filters and comparison tools
- Financing options, trade-in evaluations, and car history reports
- Dealer and private seller listings
- Trusted customer reviews and ratings
2. Carvana
Why It’s Great:
- Carvana revolutionized the car buying experience by making it entirely online. Carvana offers a no-haggle, transparent pricing model, and their 360-degree photos of each vehicle make it easier to get a detailed view of the car you’re interested in. With free delivery and a 7-day return policy, Carvana makes online car buying both simple and risk-free.
Key Features:
- Transparent pricing and 360-degree photos of vehicles
- Free delivery and a 7-day return policy
- Extensive selection of used vehicles
- No-haggle pricing for a streamlined buying experience
- Car financing and trade-in options
3. TrueCar
Why It’s Great:
- TrueCar is well known for providing accurate pricing information and insights into the market. By showing what others have paid for similar cars in your area, TrueCar helps you ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible. TrueCar’s network of certified dealers gives you access to new and used car options, along with upfront pricing, rebates, and financing offers.
Key Features:
- Provides real-time pricing information and transparency
- Shows dealer pricing and what others have paid for the same car
- Access to both new and used vehicles through certified dealers
- Financing, rebates, and trade-in options
- Clear and easy-to-understand reports on car prices
4. Edmunds
Why It’s Great:
- Edmunds is one of the most comprehensive car-buying resources available. With a long history of providing car reviews, expert advice, and in-depth research tools, Edmunds helps buyers make informed decisions. The site features price comparisons, expert and consumer reviews, and vehicle ratings to help guide you through every stage of the buying process.
Key Features:
- In-depth reviews, ratings, and expert advice
- Price comparisons and cost breakdowns for new and used cars
- A robust “Car Finder” tool that helps narrow down options
- Financing calculators and trade-in evaluations
- Detailed vehicle specifications and pros/cons
5. Cars.com
Why It’s Great:
- Cars.com offers a vast inventory of vehicles, from new to used cars, with an intuitive platform that makes it easy to search for vehicles based on your specific needs. Cars.com also features reviews, dealership ratings, and a helpful car comparison tool. The site allows you to schedule test drives and explore financing options directly through the platform.
Key Features:
- Extensive listings of new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles
- Reviews and dealership ratings from real customers
- Car comparison tool to evaluate different models
- Financing and trade-in options available
- Easy scheduling for test drives
6. CarGurus
Why It’s Great:
- CarGurus stands out for its user-friendly interface and its focus on transparency. The site ranks vehicles based on price and dealer reputation, giving buyers insights into whether a car is priced fairly. CarGurus has a reputation for helping users find deals and avoiding overpaying. The site also offers a broad selection of cars, including new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles.
Key Features:
- Price transparency with fair market value ratings
- Deals and price analysis based on market trends
- Reviews and ratings for dealerships and cars
- Helpful filters to narrow down your search
- Financing options and car history reports
7. Vroom
Why It’s Great:
- Vroom provides a seamless online car-buying experience, offering used cars that are delivered directly to your door. Their site features detailed vehicle listings with 360-degree photos, and each car comes with a 7-day return policy. Vroom also offers financing options, a straightforward buying process, and a car trade-in service.
Key Features:
- Online buying with delivery to your door
- 360-degree photos of used vehicles
- 7-day return policy and free delivery
- Financing options and trade-in services
- Transparent pricing and vehicle condition reports
8. Shift
Why It’s Great:
- Shift offers a unique online car-buying experience by bringing the car to you for a test drive. The site features a variety of certified pre-owned vehicles, and Shift provides free delivery and a 7-day return policy. It’s an excellent option for those who want a hassle-free buying experience without visiting a dealership.
Key Features:
- Bring-the-car-to-you test drive option
- 7-day return policy and free delivery
- Certified pre-owned vehicles with detailed inspection reports
- Financing and trade-in options available
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
9. Autolist
Why It’s Great:
- Autolist is a powerful search engine that aggregates listings from multiple sources, including dealer websites, private sellers, and other online platforms. The site offers an extensive inventory of used vehicles and includes filters to refine searches based on price, mileage, and location. Autolist also includes market insights to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
Key Features:
- Aggregated listings from multiple car-selling platforms
- Wide selection of used cars with detailed search filters
- Market insights and pricing comparisons
- Easy-to-use interface and mobile app
- Financing and loan calculators
10. Kelley Blue Book (KBB)
Why It’s Great:
- Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has long been a trusted resource for car pricing, valuations, and expert advice. The site offers both new and used car listings, but its standout feature is the reliable valuation tool that helps you determine the fair market value of a car, whether you’re buying or selling. KBB’s partnership with trusted dealers allows you to search for vehicles that are priced fairly.
Key Features:
- Reliable car valuation tools for both buying and selling
- Detailed pricing and fair market value estimates
- Access to new and used vehicle listings
- Partnership with reputable dealers
- Expert advice and car reviews
Conclusion
Choosing the right online car-buying platform can transform your vehicle purchase from a stressful experience into an enjoyable one. The Top 10 Best Online Car Buying Sites & Shopping Tools in 2025 offer a variety of features to make your car shopping experience easier, whether you’re buying new, used, or certified pre-owned. With price transparency, financing options, and comprehensive car history reports, these platforms provide everything you need to make an informed decision. Start your car-buying journey today and take advantage of the convenience and benefits these online tools provide!