2026 Upstart Auto Refinance Loan Review
Best for an easy, online auto refinance with flexible credit standards: Upstart offers no-fee auto refinancing with prequalification and approval criteria that may work for borrowers with lower credit scores.
Upstart auto loan rates and terms
| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refinance auto loans | 5.17% | 24 to 84 months | $3,000 to $60,000 | No application fee or prepayment penalty | Not specified |
Upstart pros and cons
Pros
- Available in most states
- Long terms can reduce monthly payment
- May accept lower credit profiles
- Prequalification available
Cons
- No co-borrower option
- Only refinance loans (no purchase loans)
- No APR discount for autopay
What you need to get a car loan with Upstart
- Minimum credit score: There is no minimum credit score advertised by Upstart, which considers overall creditworthiness and may approve borrowers with limited credit.
- Minimum income: Upstart doesn’t publish a specific dollar amount. Applicants must have a verifiable income source, such as a job, or self-employment income.
- Credit history: Borrowers must meet minimum creditworthiness requirements (no recent bankruptcies, delinquencies or excessive credit inquiries).
- Employment: Borrowers must provide evidence of a regular source of income, such as from employment, a job offer, self-employment income.
- Vehicle age requirement: The age of a refinanced vehicle must be less than 13 years old.
- Vehicle mileage: To qualify, cars must have fewer than 140,000 miles.
- Loan balance: Outstanding auto loan balance typically must be between $3,000 and $60,000.
- State availability: Auto refinancing is not available in a small handful of states.
Document requirements:
- Proof of identity: A valid, unexpired, government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) is required.
- Vehicle registration and title information: A current vehicle registration card is required. If the vehicle has a co-owner, consent and title transfer documentation may be required.
- Proof of insurance: Auto insurance must include comprehensive and collision coverage that meets lender deductible requirements, with the new lender listed as the lienholder on the policy.
- Proof of income and employment: Documentation may include recent pay stubs, bank statements showing regular income deposits, or tax returns for self-employed applicants.
- Co-owner consent (if it applies): Any co-owner must sign a consent form and complete required title transfer documentation.
How Upstart’s starting rates compare to LendingTree’s lowest offers
Upstart’s car loan refinance rates start at 5.17% APR and can run as high as 35.99% APR.
If you qualify for Upstart’s lowest advertised rates, its refinance loans may be competitive. They may also be more attractive if you value a fast, online process.
But borrowers with strong credit may still find lower offers by comparing multiple lenders through the LendingTree marketplace.
| Credit range | Average 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% |
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.
Types of Upstart auto loans
As mentioned, you can only refinance a car with Upstart. If you need an auto loan to buy a new car, you’ll have to go with a different lender.
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 an Upstart auto loan right for you?
If you don’t have much credit to your name or your credit score could use some work, an Upstart refinance auto loan may be a good fit for you. However, it may be worthwhile to improve your credit score before applying for a loan as you may qualify for lower rates.
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 Upstart auto refinance loans compare
Even if you believe that an Upstart car loan aligns with your borrowing needs, it’s always smart to shop around and compare lenders. Here’s how Upstart stacks up against a couple of competitors.
Please note that all rates apply to auto refinance loans.
| Upstart | myAutoLoan | RateGenius | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting APR | 5.17% | 4.49% | 4.65% |
| Terms | 24 to 84 months | 24 to 84 months | 24 to 96 months |
| Amount | $3,000 to $60,000 | Starting at $5,000 | $10,000 to $150,000 |
| 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.
| No application fee or prepayment penalty | Not specified | Documentation fee: Up to $450 |
| Minimum credit score | Not specified | 600 | 580 |
Upstart’s starting APR is a bit higher than rates from myAutoLoan and RateGenius. However, it refinances lower loan amounts and doesn’t have application or prepayment penalties.
If you have a low credit score and not much left on your current loan, Upstart may be a better fit among the three.
Frequently asked questions
Upstart does not advertise a minimum credit score for auto refinancing. Instead of relying solely on your credit score, Upstart-powered lenders use a broader underwriting model that considers factors like education and employment history in addition to credit information.
Upstart auto refinance loans are typically available for used and new passenger vehicles, including cars, SUVs and light trucks. To qualify, the vehicle generally must be less than 13 years old and have fewer than 140,000 miles.
The APR on an Upstart auto refinance loan starts at 5.17% and can be as high as 35.99%. If you have a bad credit score, you’ll likely receive an interest rate toward the top end of Upstart’s range.
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