7 Websites to Help You Purchase Your Next Vehicle

Buying a vehicle can get tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of websites to help you out.

Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision made up of a series of small ones. You need to decide on your budget, buying new or used, the type of vehicle that suits your lifestyle, and create a wishlist of all the features you want it to include.

Thankfully, you can do a lot of research right here on the internet. Many experts have driven them—and even crashed them—to give you the nitty-gritty of everyday vehicles available on the market.

Here are some websites to check out when making your next vehicle purchase.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Vehicle Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institutes for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an excellent place to check out vehicle safety ratings. It focuses on two areas, the tech that can help prevent an accident and what happens to the vehicle and passengers in the event of a crash.

To see what happens, the IIHS conducts a series of crash tests that simulate real accidents on multiple areas of the vehicle. The IIHS also evaluates vehicles based on their headlights and, simply put, how well they light up the road.

Once it evaluates a vehicle, you can find a summary of the results on the website. Whether you’re looking to buy a new or used automobile, it lists recent and previous models so you can make an informed choice.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association: Vehicle Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) is part of the US Department of Transportation. On its website, you’ll find ratings, recalls, and topics on road safety.

Like the IIHS, the NHTSA also conducts its own crash tests—including a rollover test. You can search the rating of a vehicle you’re looking to purchase, which is a summary of all individual tests listed on the vehicle's page.

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You can also check out if the vehicle comes with some of the NHTSA’s recommended safety technologies and directly compare three choices all at once.

J.D. Power: Vehicle Awards, Reviews, and Ratings

J.D. Power specializes in consumer insight. In fact, this organization is a global leader in them. It offers a great deal of information on its website to learn more about your top picks.

Here, you can find an overview of a vehicle, its specs, a comparison of trim levels, and its fuel efficiency—or range if it's an electric vehicle. The website summarizes a vast amount of information so you can view it all in one place. Additionally, you can check if the company that makes the vehicle of your choice is a J.D. Power award recipient and in which category they won.

As well as ratings and specs, you’ll also find reviews written by experts in the industry. These reviews take you into the cockpit, under the hood, and discuss the details inside and out.

Car and Driver: Vehicle Reviews, Ratings, and News

Whether you know which vehicle you’d like to read up on or you want to explore options, Car and Driver offers plenty of reviews. Here you’ll find vehicle roundups such as the top ten in a specific category, direct comparisons of seemingly similar automobiles, and individual overviews that give one contender the spotlight.

Not only does it cover the specs of the vehicle; it also provides first-hand insight into the vehicle’s performance and the driving experience.

If you’re unsure where to start, head to the buyer’s guide or research sections to browse suggested articles. Otherwise, type the make and model in the search bar, and there’s bound to be an article about it—especially if it's available on the US market.

Auto enthusiasts will also find excellent content in their news and video sections.

MotorTrend: Vehicle Reviews, Ratings, Features, and News

On MotorTrend, you’ll find various articles that include roundups, comparisons, single-vehicle highlights, and the latest trends and news in the automotive industry. They have something for every motor enthusiast with features on car shows, hot rods, monster trucks, and more.

However, it's not all luxury and muscle. You’ll find it goes into great detail on new everyday models, and you’ll have everything you need if you’re buying used.

The site shares its own trademarked Ultimate Car Rankings to help you explore which vehicle may be best for you. Once you’re ready to research a specific car, you can turn to the Buyer’s Guide to read all about its specs and details. Additionally, its first-hand reviews put you in the driver’s seat so you can picture yourself driving it without having to leave your home.

Edmunds: Vehicle Reviews, Ratings, and Purchasing Tools

Edmunds has been in the business of helping consumers find the right car for over 50 years. Here you can browse new cars by price, used cars for sale, and explore car reviews to help you make a choice.

The site neatly summarizes each vehicle on a single page with photos, pros and cons, user reviews, and a brief write-up. You can sift through model years quickly at the top of the page to see how a used model compares.

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Since Edmunds is there to help you make a vehicle purchase, you’ll also find plenty of tools to help you along the way, which includes an appraisal of your current vehicle if you’re looking to sell.

US News & World Report: Vehicle Reviews, Ratings, and Advice

The US News & World Report offers a platform dedicated to automobiles where you can browse by style or brand, or you can search for a specific make and model.

If you’re unsure where to begin, you can check out which vehicles it lists as best or popular on the site. Once you find yourself on a review page, you can view a summary of the details inside and, as well as photos, and the site’s own rating of the vehicle—which summarizes credible rankings and reviews all in one place.

You’ll also find answers to commonly asked questions about the vehicle, whether it’s new or used. If you haven’t been through the buying process before, you’ll also find advice and tools to help you along the way.

Make an Informed Vehicle Purchasing Decision With These Websites

Thanks to the internet, you can better equip yourself for a trip to the dealership with sites like the ones listed in this article. In addition to finding expert ratings and reviews on performance and features, you’ll also learn which vehicles are the safest.

If you find you want to skip the trip to the dealership altogether, you can even find various apps that allow you to purchase a vehicle without having to go anywhere.

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