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Auto Loan Comparison Calculator

Enter two car loan offers with their rates, terms, and fees. The tool shows each payment, total cost, and APR, then says which offer costs less overall and by how much.

By the AutoLoanable Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-17

The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants.

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Enter your numbers and press Calculate. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

How this calculator works

Two car loan offers can look close on the monthly payment and still differ by thousands once you add the fees and the term.

for each offer: payment = P × i ÷ (1 − (1 + i)^-n), and total cost = payment × n + fee

  • P — the amount financed
  • i — the monthly rate, the annual rate divided by 1,200
  • n — the number of monthly payments
  • fee — any up-front charge added to the cost

The APR is the rate that equates the present value of the payments to the amount received after the fee. A lower payment from a longer term can still cost more, so compare total cost and APR. Enter the rates and fees from your own offers.

What changes your result

Only a few inputs move the number materially. In rough order of impact:

Sensitivity of the monthly payment
InputEffect on the paymentEffect on total cost
Amount financedDirectly proportionalDirectly proportional
Interest rate / APRDirectly proportionalDirectly proportional
Term (months)Lower payment when longerHigher total interest when longer
Down paymentLowers the paymentLowers total interest
Trade-in equityLowers the amount financedLowers total interest
Sales tax and feesRaises the amount financedRaises total cost

Enter the rate you were actually offered. This site is not a lender and does not publish rates — a quoted rate is only meaningful next to the term and the amount financed.

Frequently asked questions

Should I compare payments or total cost?
Compare both. The payment tells you what fits your budget, and the total cost and APR tell you which offer is cheaper once interest and fees are included.
Why is the APR different from the rate?
The APR includes the up-front fee, so it is higher than the stated rate whenever a fee reduces the amount you actually receive.
Can the shorter loan cost more?
Usually a shorter loan costs less in total interest, but the payment is higher. Compare total cost and make sure the payment fits your budget.
What if the two offers are identical?
The tool reports that both offers cost about the same, and the difference in total cost is zero.

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