RateGenius Auto Loan Refinance and Lease Buyout Loans: 2023 Review
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Auto loan reviews

Auto loan refinancing
Auto lease buyout loan
The bottom line:
Best for applicants wanting the assistance of auto loan refinancing experts, from comparing loan offers to handling a title transfer.
Auto loan refinancing review

Not yet rated
on RateGenius' website
Pros
Provides average daily rates by credit score on website.
Network lenders offer a rate discount with automatic payment.
Most lending partners pre-qualify using a soft credit check.
Customer service available on Saturday.
A Social Security number is not required to see pre-qualified offers.
Cons
Most lenders charge an origination fee of up to $495.
A few network lenders may use a hard credit inquiry for pre-qualification.
Borrowers aren’t able to choose their payment due date.
Best for applicants looking for an auto refinancing lender with online rates and the ability to see multiple pre-qualified offers.
Full review
Established in 1999, RateGenius offers auto loan refinancing, including cash-out refinancing, and car lease buyout loans. It does not offer purchase loans. RateGenius is an aggregator that works with 150-plus lending partners to match applicants to the best loan and rate for which they may qualify.
When applying with RateGenius, applicants receive pre-qualified offers with rate and payment estimates. In most cases, pre-qualification is done using a soft credit inquiry, which will not affect credit scores. Borrowers should be aware that a few RateGenius lending partners could do a hard credit inquiry when pre-qualifying, which can temporarily lower an applicant's credit scores.
Pre-qualification is not an approval of credit. After applicants select the pre-qualified offer that works best for them, RateGenius secures full loan approval, which includes a hard credit pull.
RateGenius has many resources on its website to help with auto loan refinancing decisions, including daily average interest rates by credit score and a variety of auto loan calculators.
RateGenius may be a good fit for those who:
Want to compare loan options. RateGenius lets you receive multiple loan pre-qualification offers. In most cases, pre-qualification is immediate and done with a soft credit inquiry.
Prefer assistance with the loan process. Applicants work with a loan specialist, from application to title transfer.
Want more accessibility. RateGenius customer service is available on Saturday. Online chat is offered during business hours. Loan applications can also be made by phone.
RateGenius is an auto loan aggregator, meaning it works with a network of lenders to match borrowers to loans. Aspects of your loan — such as lender fees, service and how your personal information is used — will depend on the lender selected.
RateGenius at a glance
Note that aggregators like RateGenius work with many different lenders, so the information provided is general and can reflect the high or low end available among its lending partners.
How does this loan compare?
Est. APR3.99-21.00% | Est. APR3.99-21.00% | Est. APR7.54-22.49% |
Loan amount$8,000-No max. | Loan amount$8,000-No max. | Loan amount$7,500-$99,999 |
Min. credit score550 | Min. credit score560 | Min. credit score520 |
Auto lease buyout loan review

Not yet rated
on RateGenius' website
Pros
Network lenders offer a rate discount with automatic payment.
Most lending partners pre-qualify using a soft credit check.
Customer service available on Saturday.
A Social Security number is not required to see pre-qualified offers.
Cons
Most lenders charge an origination fee of up to $495.
A few network lenders may use a hard credit inquiry for pre-qualification.
Borrowers aren’t able to choose their payment due date.
Best for applicants who want guidance through the lease buyout process, including the title transfer,.
More from RateGenius
RateGenius also offers GAP insurance and vehicle service contracts, which can be rolled into the borrower’s loan.
Borrowers can also take advantage of RateGenius’ many educational website resources, including a learning center, glossary of refinance terms and answers to frequently asked questions.
RateGenius auto loan rates
Credit requirements vary by auto lender, but the lowest rates are typically available only to borrowers with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of 690 and above). With fair or bad credit you won’t get the lowest interest rates, which means your monthly payment and total interest paid will be more. You can check your credit score before applying for a car loan. RateGenius provides average daily loan rates on its website.
Loan example: According to NerdWallet's auto loan calculator that uses the VantageScore credit model, a borrower with a credit score of 300-499 (considered deep subprime), a $20,000 used car loan, repayment term of 72 months, interest rate of 18% APR and $0 down payment would have monthly payments of $456. One year later, if all payments were made on time, the borrower will have paid the loan down to a balance of $17,963. If the borrower is able to then refinance at 12% APR for the remaining 60 months, the payment would drop to $399 and result in interest savings of $3,394 over the life of the loan.
To review RateGenius, NerdWallet sent a survey to RateGenius requesting more than 60 data points and followed up with company representatives. The information was compared with other lenders that seek the same customer or offer a similar product.
Frequently asked questions
RateGenius was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Its privacy policy states that it is “licensed as a registered lender with the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner and a proud member of the Better Business Bureau. All lenders in the RateGenius network are well-established FDIC-insured banks, thrifts or licensed lenders.” RateGenius is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating.
RateGenius website FAQs state: Any information collected by RateGenius is only distributed to authorized agents or lenders within the RateGenius network, or as may be required by federal or state law or by court order. Otherwise, RateGenius will not sell or share any personal information in regards to yourself or with any person or organization without your authorization.
Customers can opt out of any non-application related marketing during the loan application process. More information can be found in the RateGenius privacy policy.