The True Cost of a 7-Year Car Loan vs. a 5-Year Loan
Longer car loans might make monthly payments feel easier, but could come at a cost. The interest adds up fast, often making the total price of the car thousands higher than expected.
Be Aware: Maybe You Shouldn't Buy That Car From Costco, Actually
Consider This: 5 Signs You’re Losing Money Every Month — and How To Find the Leaks
Before signing a seven-year loan, it's worth seeing how much more you'll actually pay compared to a five-year term.
A Change in Auto Financing
To see how the rest of 2026 could go, it helps to get the most recent data from a complete year. So, how did auto financing change starting last year?
The year 2025 saw several changes in the numbers related to auto financing. In the fourth quarter of 2025, an average new car payment rose to $1,000, and the average amount financed was $43,759, according to Edmunds. The annual percentage rate (APR) on new car loans in the first quarter of 2025 was 7.1%, rising slightly to 7.2% in Q2 before dipping back down to 7% in Q3 before reaching 6.7% in Q4.
Also, in the fourth quarter of 2025, over one in five new-car buyers stretched their financing to 84 months to afford the increasing cost of a vehicle, Edmunds reported. The average transaction price for a vehicle in January 2026 was $49,191, per Cox Automotive, a 1.9% increase year-over-year and an all-time high for January, according to Kelley Blue Book. For added context, December ATP was down 2.2% YoY.
A Seven-Year Car Loan vs. a Five-Year Car Loan
Here's how a seven-year loan compares to a five-year loan based on the average vehicle price of $49,191. Information was generated from U.S. News & World Report's car payment calculator.
Seven-Year Loan
Down payment of $4,919
$0 trade-in value
5% estimated sales tax
8.08% estimated interest rate
Total loan amount of $46,732
Monthly payment of $730
Total interest paid (over the life of the loan): $14,608
Five-Year Loan
Down payment of $4,919
$0 trade-in value
5% estimated sales tax
8.08% estimated interest rate
Total loan amount of $46,732
Monthly payment of $949
Total interest paid (over the life of the loan): $10,229
A seven-year car loan lowers the monthly payment by $219, but costs $4,379 more in interest. While the down payment would be lower, the interest is more costly than compared to the five-year loan. Don't forget that if your credit is not the best, the APR will be higher and you'll pay significantly more over the life of the loan.
Keep in mind, these are just snapshots of possibilities when it comes to car loans. Results will vary based on vehicle cost, credit score, income and personal financial circumstances.
Cory Dudak and Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editor's note: Numbers were updated as of Mar. 2, 2026 and subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: