Lending Partner
Loan Term
Min. APR
Min. Credit Score
Highlights
Refinance Loan
Loan Term48-84Months
APR5.29%
Credit Score550
Highlights
Used Car Loan
Loan TermUp to 72Months
APRVaries
Credit Score500
Highlights
New Car Loan
Highlights
New or Used Car Loan
Loan Term12-84Months
APR4.75%
Credit Score575
Highlights
Refinance Loan
Loan Term24-84Months
APR5.61%
Credit Score510
Highlights
All APR figures last updated on 7/14/2023 – please check partner site for latest details. Rate may vary based on credit score, credit history and loan term.
U.S. Bank Auto Loan Review: 8.7 Stars
When considering your auto financing options for your next vehicle, U.S. Bank is a solid choice. If you’re a borrower with excellent credit who wants to buy a new or used vehicle or refinance your auto loan, you can get access to low rates. The company can also help you with buying out a lease and its online loan application process is simple and fast.
Rating Category | Our Score (Out of 10 Stars) |
---|---|
Industry Standing | 9.0 |
Availability | 9.2 |
Loan Details | 8.9 |
Rates and Discounts | 8.0 |
Customer Service | 7.8 |
Overall Rating | 8.7 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
Loan terms up to six yearsGreat rates for used cars and refinancingDiscounts for having multiple accountsHighly-rated mobile app
Cons
High minimum for loansPenalties for early payoffsLow customer ratings
About U.S. Bank
Year founded: 1863
Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minn.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A-
U.S. Bank traces its roots all the way back to the Lincoln administration, with the charter for First National Bank in Cincinnati. The company’s Minneapolis headquarters were set up the following year. Today, U.S. Bank has more than 2,000 branches spread across 26 states, offering financial products and services to individuals, families, government institutions and businesses of all sizes.
U.S. Bank Auto Loan Details
Loan Amount: $5,000 to $100,000
Starting annual percentage rate (APR): 7.46%
Term Length: Up to 60 months
Prepayment penalty: 1% of original loan amount if closed within one year ($50 minimum and $100 maximum)
Application fee: None
You can expect competitive rates when financing a new or used car through U.S. Bank and its lowest rates offered stand at 7.46%. However, this interest rate is only available if you get preapproval and meet certain requirements.
The U.S. Bank Vehicle Marketplace makes browsing dealerships more convenient. If you’re pre-approved for a loan through U.S. Bank, you can send your approval letter to a dealership representative and get the exact car you want.
If you fit the following profile, you’ll receive the lowest APR that the company offers:
- Credit score: 800 or higher
- Loan term: 60 months or less
- Loan amount: $35,000 or more
These factors may result in higher loan rates:
- Purchasing a vehicle from a private party
- A vehicle that’s older than six model years
- Loan amounts below $35,000
- Loan terms longer than 60 months
Auto Loan Refinancing With U.S. Bank
If you want to pay off your auto loan sooner or reduce your monthly car payment, refinancing is the way to go. U.S. Bank offers auto loan refinancing with an APR that currently sits at 7.89%.
To qualify for this rate, your loan must be for $30,000 or more and have a term of 36 months or less and the car can’t be more than 12 months old. You must also finance 80% or less of the car’s value, meaning you’ll need an initial down payment. You’ll also need a credit score of 800 or better and to set up automatic payments from a U.S. Bank checking or savings account. Finally, you’ll need to reside in one of the 26 states where U.S. Bank offers auto refinance loans.
Lease Buyout Through U.S. Bank
A lease-buyout loan allows you to purchase a leased vehicle at the end of your lease term. You can apply for a lease-buyout loan with U.S. Bank whether your lease is with the company or another provider. If your lease isn’t with U.S. Bank, you’ll need to sign your lease buyout loan at your nearest U.S. Bank branch.
U.S. Bank Auto Loan Application Process
You can use online banking services to apply for auto loan pre-approval through U.S. Bank. If you successfully complete the loan approval process, you’ll have a locked-in rate for 30 days. If you have a low credit score, you should consider adding a co-signer with a strong credit history to your application. This will improve your chances of getting approved for the loan you want, so your loan payment will be the lowest possible.
Here’s what you’ll need to have handy when you apply for any type of U.S. Bank vehicle loan:
- Personal identification such as your Social Security number
- Income information
- Employer’s name and address
- Current housing information
- Amount you expect to finance and loan term
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), color, make and model of the vehicle
- The vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Kelley Blue Book or, for used vehicles, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) value
- Insurance information
- Lienholder name and payoff amount for refinancing or a private party purchase
U.S. Bank Auto Loan Reviews
U.S. Bank overall has low ratings from consumers about their services. The company holds an A- rating from the BBB and has a 1.1 out 5.0 stars score from over 600 customer reviews. On Trustpilot their customers echo a similar sentiment with a grade of 1.2 out of 5.0 stars from just under 700 people.
The company was rated just below average in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study℠, ranking 18th out of 24 lenders in the mass market category. However, in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Consumer Lending Satisfaction Study℠, U.S. Bank got the second-highest score for overall customer satisfaction in the personal lending category.
The company also has a well-reviewed mobile app, with 4.6 out of 5.0 stars on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5.0 stars on the App Store.
Positive U.S. Bank Reviews
There aren’t many reviews across BBB or Trustpilot sites related specifically to U.S. Bank’s auto loan process. However, there are few sparkling reviews about U.S. Bank in general. These reviews talk about reliable customer service interactions and resolutions in specific bank account errors.
Negative U.S. Bank Reviews
Customer reviews aren’t very enthusiastic about U.S. Bank. The most common complaints about the auto loan provider refer to slow application processes for car leases, errors and delays in title transfers and poor customer service.
Some customer reviews complained about being transferred to wrong departments, being hung up on, and agents not able to answer their questions. We reached out to U.S. Bank for a comment on these negative reviews and ratings but did not receive a response.
U.S. Bank Auto Loan: Conclusion
U.S. Bank can be a decent option for your car loan financing and refinancing needs. The company has good availability across the country and offers good loan rates, but these deals are only available to those with good credit. If you’re looking to get an auto loan with bad credit, another lender might better suit you. We recommend searching around and comparing loan offers to find the best auto financing option for you.
Recommendations for Auto Loans
Whether you want to purchase a vehicle, refinance an auto loan or secure a lease buyout loan, it’s always best to shop around for the best APR and lock in the lowest-possible monthly payments. We recommend starting with myAutoloan and Auto Approve in your search for the right lender.
myAutoloan
It’s easy to compare auto loan and refinancing rates through the myAutoloan marketplace. The company also offers lines of credit for lease buyout loans. You can get a new car loan with an APR as low as 5.29% for 37 to 60 months. Refinance loans from myAutoloan feature an APR of 4.01% for 36 months or less.
Keep reading: myAutoloan review
Auto Approve: Best Refinance Loan
Specializing in auto loan refinancing, Auto Approve has built a strong industry reputation. Refinancing APRs start at 5.24% with Auto Approve, although the best interest rates are only available for customers with excellent credit scores. The company also offers lease buyout loans for those who want to purchase their leased vehicles.
Keep reading: Auto Approve review
U.S. Bank Auto Loans: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about U.S. Bank auto loans:
U.S. Bank is an ideal choice for borrowers with excellent credit. The lender is an especially good option for those who want to buy a used car or refinance an auto loan. U.S. Bank also offers lease buyout loans.
The company doesn’t list a minimum credit score for auto loans, but U.S. Bank’s best rates are reserved for those with scores of 800 and up. If you have a poor credit score, you should consider adding a co-signer with a good score.
U.S. Bank does not provide a minimum credit score for auto loans, but generally a credit rating of 650 or higher will get you a loan.
During normal business hours, your online loan application with U.S. Bank can be approved in as little as two hours. You’ll typically need to provide insurance information and proof of income.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best auto loan companies. We collected data on dozens of loan providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Industry standing: Our research team considered ratings from industry experts and each lender’s years in business when giving this score.
- Rates and discounts: Auto loan providers with low APRs, good discount opportunities and high loan amounts scored highest in this category.
- Availability: Companies that cover a variety of circ*mstances are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer service: This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and transparency. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each loan company’s customer service team based on our shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 300+ hours researched
- 25 companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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Daniel RobinsonWriter
Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team writer and has written for numerous automotive news sites and marketing firms across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, specializing in auto finance and car care topics. Daniel is a MarketWatch Guides team authority on auto insurance, loans, warranty options, auto services and more.
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Rashawn MitchnerManaging Editor
Rashawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team editor with over 10 years of experience covering personal finance and insurance topics.