2025 PenFed Auto Loan Review
Best for buyers who use PenFed’s online car buying service: Take advantage of rate discounts and bonus cash offers when you use PenFed’s car buying service, which is powered by TrueCar.
PenFed auto loan review at a glance

| Starting annual percentage rate (APR) | Loan terms | Loan amounts | Fees Fee information in this review reflects what the lender publicly discloses on its website or to LendingTree directly, and doesn’t necessarily cover all fees that exist. Other fees may apply. “Not specified” means the lender has not provided fee details to us and/or doesn’t publish its fees. | Minimum credit score | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New auto loans | 4.19% | 36 – 84 months | Up to $150,000 | None | Not specified | |
| Used auto loans | 4.79% | 36 – 84 months | Up to $150,000 | None | Not specified | |
| Refinance auto loans | 4.19% | 36 – 84 months | Up to $150,000 | None | Not specified |
PenFed pros and cons
Pros
- Membership benefits and competitive rates
- Has a hardship program in case of financial emergencies
- Can borrow more than the vehicle’s value (up to 125%), putting cash in your pocket
Cons
- Credit union membership required (but it’s easy to join)
- Can’t get lowest rates unless you use car-buying service
- No rate discounts for automatic payments
What you need to get a car loan with PenFed
To qualify for an auto loan or an auto refinance loan with PenFed, you must meet the following requirements:
- Membership: PenFed membership (anyone can join)
- Administrative: Open a PenFed savings account with $5 deposit; may need to submit documents to verify your identity and income
- Mileage restrictions: Up to 125,000 miles
Estimate your monthly payment
Types of PenFed auto loans
PenFed offers loans for new and used cars and auto refinancing. It doesn’t offer specialty vehicle financing, such as RV or motorcycle loans.
- New car loans: Vehicle must be plus or minus one year from the current year, have less than 7,501 miles on the odometer and never have been titled
- Used car loans: For an 84-month loan term, the vehicle must be no older than five years and under 60,000 miles
- Refinance auto loans: Refinancing for new and used vehicles available
- Cash-out auto refinance loan: You can refinance an existing loan, take a cash-out auto refinance loan of up to 125% of the car’s value (up to $150,000)
- Title loans: You can use your fully-owned car as collateral to get a title loan
When banks compete, you win
LendingTree users can save an average $2,346 on their auto loans, simply by comparing offers and choosing the one with the lowest rate.
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 a PenFed auto loan right for you?
PenFed auto loan rates are competitive, and its car-buying program could save you thousands. If the membership requirement isn’t a barrier, a PenFed auto loan may be a great fit. Credit union membership is required, but you can check rates before joining.
If you’re not interested in joining the credit union, you may find better options with other lenders. Don’t rush into financing. Take some time to compare loans to find the one that’s best for you.
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 our latest survey.
How PenFed auto loans compare
It’s a good idea to shop around and compare lenders so you have peace of mind that you’re getting a good deal. Here’s how PenFed auto loans stack up to Bank of America and Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) auto loans.
Please note that this table applies to auto loans for new cars, not used or auto refinance loans.
| PenFed Credit Union | Bank of America | Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting APR | 4.19% | 5.44% | 4.99% (with discount) |
| Loan terms | 36 – 84 months | 48 – 72 months | Up to 84 months |
| Loan amounts | Up to $150,000 | Starting at $7,500 ($8,000 in Minnesota) | Up to 130% of the car’s value |
| Fees Fee information in this review reflects what the lender publicly discloses on its website or to LendingTree directly, and doesn’t necessarily cover all fees that exist. Other fees may apply. “Not specified” means the lender has not provided fee details to us and/or doesn’t publish its fees. | None | No origination fee | No origination fee |
| Minimum credit score | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Bank of America offers loans primarily through dealerships, but you can also apply online. Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) offers the same rate for new and used cars.
Frequently asked questions
PenFed doesn’t specify its minimum credit score requirements. To learn about general car loan credit requirements, please see:
Yes, you can prequalify for a PenFed auto loan. This will let you check PenFed’s auto loan rates and your eligibility without hurting your credit. You don’t have to join the credit union to get prequalified.
PenFed does not offer loans for classic or antique cars. To finance an older car, you may have to take out a personal loan or a classic car loan.
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