Consumers Can Now Buy Certain Cars on Amazon — Experts Explain If They Should
Written by
Lydia Kibet
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Amazon Autos’ recent launch allows consumers to browse, order, finance and schedule pickup of certain new vehicles from their local dealership directly from Amazon. The seamless online car buying experience is currently available for Hyundai vehicles in 48 cities across the U.S.
While it’s not a one-click buying process like you’d have when buying other items, Amazon Autos offers seamless car shopping as you’ll do everything on their website — from browsing to paying in full, getting financing and even signing the paperwork. Plus, it provides transparent pricing, meaning what you see at checkout is the amount of money you pay, inclusive of taxes and fees.
And the best part? You can trade in your current car right from Amazon’s website. All you need to do is answer a few questions about the vehicle’s condition and get an instant valuation provided by a third party. You can drop off your trade-in car at the dealership when picking up your new vehicle.
Amazon Autos has only partnered with Hyundai but will likely roll out more automotive brands later this year to increase the selection of cars available to consumers. They’re also planning to add other functionalities like leasing and expanded financing options.
Also find out if it’s cheaper to buy a car online or at a dealership.
So, Should You Buy a Vehicle on Amazon?
Here’s what experts think about Amazon Autos and whether you should buy your next car online.
“Buying a car on Amazon may seem simple, but it’s not exactly as simple as clicking ‘Add to Cart.’ Amazon is mostly working with dealerships now, so you’re not actually buying from Amazon — you’re still buying through a dealer. The benefit is you get to shop around easily, sometimes get better prices and see real customer reviews,” said Alex Black, CMO at EpicVin.
“Test drives, negotiations and trade-ins don’t work the same way as at a dealership and after-sales support like warranties and servicing still needs to go through the dealer, not Amazon. If you know exactly what you want and don’t need a test drive, it can be a good option. For most buyers, though, the traditional approach still offers more control and flexibility,” Black added.
“A vehicle is often the second most expensive purchase in our lives, so it’s not recommended to buy it without testing it first, especially since all models feel and handle differently,” said Evaldas Zabitis, automotive expert at carVertical. “Also, choosing to buy a car online means there won’t be any negotiations, but I’m sure many customers would skip the haggling for the convenience of online shopping. Buying a car on Amazon is worth it only if you’ve already driven these cars.”
“The buying experience may change with Amazon’s growth in the coming years. Still, at the moment, it’s best suited for buyers seeking simplicity and tech-friendly transactions, not those who need an in-person inspection or wish to negotiate the terms of sale,” said Joe Giranda, director of sales at CFR Classic.
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