Amazon is placing its personal spin on automobile gross sales — and not using a journey to the seller or perhaps a check drive.
The retail big introduced on Tuesday that customers might purchase their subsequent automobile by means 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 means of “Amazon Autos” on Amazon.com.
Amazon is partnering with Hyundai first, with plans so as to add extra 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 May Purchase Your Subsequent Automobile on Amazon, Severely — 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 affords new vehicles.
What would occur if I attempted to purchase a automobile from Amazon? Listed here are the professionals and cons that emerged after I tried out the brand new characteristic.
Professional: Transparency
Amazon says that customers 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 capable of see an in depth worth breakdown, right down to the carpeted ground mats ($210) and the way a lot the seller charged in comparison with the Producer Counsel Retail Value (MSRP).
Pricing by means of Amazon Autos.
I used to be additionally capable of 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 simply promoting Hyundai autos, so vehicles from different automakers are nowhere to be discovered.
This con might quickly disappear: Amazon says it’s going to add vehicles from different producers in 2025.
Nevertheless, the choice can be restricted in worth, with the most cost effective automobile promoting for $22,510 excluding charges, taxes, and seller prices. There aren’t any used vehicles out there 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 means of Amazon Autos felt like procuring on Amazon, so I felt proper at house. There have been classes like worth, mannequin yr, and trim shade on the left-hand aspect, and there have been merchandise in an inventory sorted by worth within the middle.
Although the automobile product class is new to Amazon, the acquainted interface made the method simple to navigate.
How Amazon Autos appears to be like.
Con: No Negotiating Energy
Amazon says that it reveals clear pricing, “eliminating the necessity for negotiation.” I should buy a automobile and full my whole order, together with securing financing, with out speaking to a human being concerning the worth and making an attempt to barter it down.
Whereas it may be much less worrying to have the entire course of on-line, it is usually much less private. And I am unable to assist questioning if I am getting the most effective deal on-line or if I’d be higher off entering into particular person.
This, together with the restricted vary of choice, in the end dissuaded me from shopping for a automobile from Amazon — for now.
Associated: I Tried 3 AI Headshot Turbines and There Was a Clear Winner
