What Is AutoTrader?
AutoTrader is one of the oldest and most recognized online car marketplaces, launched in 1997. Originally a print magazine, AutoTrader became the dominant digital platform for new and used car listings. Today, it's owned by Cox Automotive, which also owns Kelley Blue Book, Dealertrack, and other major automotive industry platforms.
AutoTrader's business model relies heavily on dealer advertising. Dealers pay to list their inventory, with premium placement costing more. This relationship shapes the user experience.
What AutoTrader Does Well
- Comprehensive inventory: With millions of new and used car listings, AutoTrader is a one-stop shop for finding vehicles.
- Detailed search filters: Narrow down by body style, price, mileage, features, color, and dozens of other criteria.
- Certified Pre-Owned section: Easy to find manufacturer-backed CPO vehicles with extended warranties.
- Research articles: Expert reviews and buying guides for popular vehicles.
Where AutoTrader Falls Short
- Dealer-centric model: AutoTrader makes money from dealers, not consumers. This affects which listings you see and how they're presented.
- Limited buying tools: Beyond basic payment calculators, AutoTrader lacks comprehensive tools for analyzing deals, calculating ownership costs, or preparing for negotiation.
- No deal ratings: Unlike some competitors, AutoTrader doesn't rate whether a listing is priced fairly.
- Corporate ownership concerns: Being owned by Cox Automotive (which also owns KBB and Dealer.com) raises questions about independence.
How AutoPremo Compares to AutoTrader
Different Focus
AutoTrader is a marketplace—great for finding cars. AutoPremo is a decision toolkit—great for analyzing, calculating, and negotiating. They serve complementary purposes.
Works for Any Listing
Found a car on AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or a dealer website? AutoPremo's tools work regardless of where you found the vehicle.
Comprehensive Tool Suite
AutoPremo offers 21+ free tools that go far beyond AutoTrader's basic calculators:
- Price Checker with deal ratings
- Payment Calculator with amortization
- Lease vs Buy Analysis
- Total Cost of Ownership
- Depreciation Calculator
- VIN Decoder with safety ratings
- Maintenance Schedule
- Fuel Cost Calculator
Unbiased Recommendations
AutoPremo doesn't take dealer money or earn commissions on sales. Our only goal is helping you make the smartest car buying decision.
The Best Approach
Use AutoTrader (and other marketplaces) to find vehicles that match your criteria. Then use AutoPremo to:
- Check if the price is fair with our Price Checker
- Calculate true monthly payments and total costs
- Analyze depreciation and ownership costs
- Decode the VIN for specs and safety data
- Get AI-powered negotiation scripts
This combination gives you the best of both worlds: AutoTrader's inventory plus AutoPremo's analysis tools.