Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — with out a journey to the supplier or perhaps a check drive.
The retail big introduced on Tuesday that buyers may purchase their subsequent automobile by way of Amazon in the event that they lived in one in all 48 main U.S. cities, together with Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Portland by way of “Amazon Autos” on Amazon.com.
Amazon is partnering with Hyundai first, with plans so as to add further producers and cities within the coming yr, the corporate mentioned. The vehicles are all new and begin at $22,500 in worth. They embody fashions just like the Hyundai Kona, Sonata Hybrid, and Elantra.
Associated: You Might Purchase Your Subsequent Automobile on Amazon, Critically — However There is a Not-So-Handy Catch
In turning to on-line automobile gross sales, Amazon joins a market already occupied by different on-line automobile retailers like Edmunds, Carvana, Shift, and Vroom, however these websites additionally characteristic used vehicles on the market; for the time being Amazon solely presents new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed here are the professionals and cons that emerged once I tried out the brand new characteristic.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that buyers can see clear pricing upfront with Amazon Autos, and I wasn’t disenchanted. Clicking right into a automobile, a brand new 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE, I used to be in a position to see an in depth worth breakdown, all the way down to the carpeted ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the supplier charged in comparison with the Producer Recommend Retail Value (MSRP).
Pricing by way of Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally in a position to estimate the month-to-month cost based mostly on the down cost and mortgage time period.
The product web page additionally transparently outlined the situation of the automobile, how a lot mileage it had on it, and the phrases of the producer’s guarantee.
Associated: I Examined the ‘Make investments As You Store’ App to See If It Actually Makes Investing Much less Intimidating
Con: Choice
Proper now, Amazon is barely promoting Hyundai automobiles, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con may quickly disappear: Amazon says it is going to add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nonetheless, the choice can also be restricted in worth, with the most cost effective automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and supplier prices. There aren’t any used vehicles obtainable on the market on the time of writing.
Associated: I Tried Making an AI-Hosted Podcast with Google’s NotebookLM. It Labored Surprisingly Effectively.
Professional: Acquainted Interface
Shopping for a automobile by way of Amazon Autos felt like purchasing on Amazon, so I felt proper at residence. There have been classes like worth, mannequin yr, and trim colour on the left-hand facet, and there have been merchandise in a listing sorted by worth within the heart.
Though the automobile product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method simple to navigate.
How Amazon Autos appears.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it exhibits clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I should buy a automobile and full my total order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being in regards to the worth and making an attempt to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less hectic to have the entire course of on-line, it’s also much less private. And I can not assist questioning if I am getting the most effective deal on-line or if I’d be higher off moving into particular person.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, finally dissuaded me from shopping for a automobile from Amazon — for now.
Associated: I Tried 3 AI Headshot Mills and There Was a Clear Winner