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2026 Caribou Auto Refinance Review

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Best for competitive rates and local lender options: Caribou works with a network of community banks and credit unions to find competitive auto refinance rates for borrowers across a wide range of credit scores. Its platform is helpful if you want the personalized feel of a local lender combined with a fast, fully online application process.

Caribou auto refinancing loan rates and terms

Caribou logo
Starting annual percentage rate (APR)Loan termsLoan amountsFees Minimum credit score
Refinance auto loans4.64% 24 – 84 months$5,000 – $125,000No application fees, upfront costs, or other out-of-pocket fees580

Caribou pros and cons

Pros

  • Low minimum credit score requirement
  • 99% of LendingTree users who have refinanced with Caribou recommend them
  • Caribou doesn’t charge application fees, upfront costs or out-of-pocket costs (state and lender fees may apply)

Cons

  • Potential for high APRs up to 28.55%
  • Not available in Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada or West Virginia
  • Not available for motorcycles or commercial or recreational vehicles

What you need to get a car loan with Caribou

  • Credit score: 580+
  • Minimum income: $24,000 per year
  • Vehicle requirements: Full insurance coverage with under 200,000 miles; not available for motorcycles or commercial or recreational vehicles
  • Document requirements: Proof of insurance, mileage, residence and income. Some lenders may require your most recent mortgage statement and phone bill.

How Caribou’s starting rates compare to LendingTree’s lowest offers

Caribou‘s auto refinance loans start at 4.64%. This is on the lower end of the best auto refinance rates. You can use the table below to compare your Caribou offer to the lowest offers on the LendingTree marketplace for your credit score. 

Credit rangeAverage lowest APR for auto refi loan offers
Excellent (800+)5.06%
Very good (740 – 799)5.29%
Good (670 – 739)6.13%
Fair (580 – 669)9.02%
Poor (under 580)13.70%
Source: Figures represent the average lowest offered APRs received on the LendingTree platform in Q3 2025. Borrowers may receive multiple offers from up to five lenders. Refinance offers apply only to used vehicles.

Estimate your monthly payment

About 5% of people with an auto loan are behind on payments, according to a LendingTree study. Using an auto loan calculator before signing on the dotted line can help you avoid taking on more than you can handle.

When banks compete, you win

Customers who used LendingTree to shop for car loans in July 2025 saved an average of $2,346 by choosing the offer with the lowest APR. Here’s how it works.

Tell us what you need

Take two minutes to tell us who you are and how much money you need for your vehicle — we’ll take care of the rest. It’s free, simple and secure.

Shop your offers

We’ll send you offers from up to five trusted lenders. Compare your offers side by side to see which one will save you the most money.

Get your money

It’s smooth sailing once you finalize your loan with your lender — you could see money in your account in as soon as 24 hours.

Is Caribou refinancing right for you?

Caribou is an excellent choice to refinance your auto loan if you are looking to lower your monthly car payment through a network of community banks and credit unions. It’s particularly well-suited for borrowers with fair to excellent credit who want a fast, digital experience and prefer local lenders.

However, Caribou is not the right fit if you live in Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, or West Virginia, as its services aren’t available in those states. Additionally, because Caribou is a platform that connects you with multiple lenders, auto loan rates can vary significantly. To ensure you’re getting the best deal, it’s essential to shop around and compare Caribou‘s offers with other marketplace lenders.

Don’t forget to budget for car insurance

Shop around for car insurance on the LendingTree marketplace to find affordable rates. Among consumers who switched providers, 92% said they saved money and nearly two-thirds saved at least $100 on their annual car insurance rate, according to a LendingTree survey

How Caribou auto loans compare

Caribou offers competitive starting rates and terms compared to similar lending platforms. Here’s how Caribou compares to its competitors when it comes to auto loan refinancing:

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?
CaribouRefiJetmyAutoLoan
Starting APR4.64% 4.49%4.49%
Loan terms24 – 84 months24 – 96 months24 – 84 months
Loan amounts$5,000 – $125,000$5,000 – $150,000Starting at $5,000
Fees No application fees, upfront costs, or other out-of-pocket feesOrigination fee: $495Not specified
Minimum credit score580500600

Like Caribou, RefiJet and myAutoLoan allow you to apply for your auto refinance loan by completing a short online form. 

Frequently asked questions

Caribou states that its borrowers report an average savings of $159 per month by refinancing with them. However, savings amounts vary based on interest rate and loan term.

After you apply through Caribou, you’ll be able to choose the refinance offer that suits your needs. Once you’ve picked your loan, you’ll need to create an account and upload a few additional documents to lock in your rate.

Unlike banks and credit unions, which are direct lenders, Caribou is a marketplace. Caribou doesn’t directly provide the funds for your loan. Instead, its platform uses technology to search across a network of lending partners, which may include community banks and credit unions. You can then compare offers and choose a lender for your auto refinance loan.

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