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Auto loans · TN

Auto loans in Tennessee.

Live APRs from 4 nationally-licensed lenders, plus the Tennessee sales tax and registration math most dealers won't show you.

7%

Tennessee sales tax

Tennessee state 7%; local add-ons push to 9.5% in cities.

4

Licensed lenders shown

All four below are licensed to originate auto loans in Tennessee. Local credit unions may also be worth a quote.

$37,450

$35k car · all-in

Total cost after Tennessee sales tax on a $35,000 vehicle (before fees / financing).

Auto loan lenders in Tennessee.

National lenders, soft pull, no spam. Click a row to expand our editorial review.

Rates as of May 24, 2026

Today's rates

The Zebra
Compare 100+ insurers
Reviewed today
APR
Varies
Min. credit
Loan amount
Term
AutoPay
Best refi marketplace
Reviewed today
APR
4.99–17.99%
Min. credit
560+
Loan amount
$5K–$100K
Term
24–96 mo
LightStream
Best for excellent credit
Reviewed today
APR
6.94–14.94%
Min. credit
660+
Loan amount
$5K–$100K
Term
24–84 mo
LendingTree Insurance
Best multi-quote tool
Reviewed today
APR
Varies
Min. credit
Loan amount
Term
Caribou
Best for subprime refi
Reviewed today
APR
5.49–17.99%
Min. credit
580+
Loan amount
$8K–$80K
Term
24–84 mo
AutoPay
Best marketplace
Reviewed today
APR
5.69–17.99%
Min. credit
580+
Loan amount
$5K–$100K
Term
24–84 mo
PenFed Credit Union
Best credit union
Reviewed today
APR
5.24–17.99%
Min. credit
610+
Loan amount
$500–$150K
Term
36–84 mo
LightStream
Best for prime refi
Reviewed today
APR
6.49–13.74%
Min. credit
660+
Loan amount
$5K–$100K
Term
24–84 mo
PenFed Credit Union
Best credit union refi
Reviewed today
APR
5.24–17.99%
Min. credit
610+
Loan amount
$500–$150K
Term
36–84 mo
Capital One Auto Navigator
Best soft-pull pre-qual
Reviewed today
APR
6.99–22.90%
Min. credit
540+
Loan amount
$4K–$75K
Term
36–75 mo

APR ranges are sourced from each lender's public site and are updated regularly. Your actual rate depends on credit history, loan amount, vehicle, and state. CarSavr may earn a commission when you apply through our links — it never affects how we rank lenders.

Tennessee auto loan FAQ

What's the sales tax on a car in Tennessee?+

Tennessee applies a sales tax of 7% to vehicle purchases. Tennessee state 7%; local add-ons push to 9.5% in cities.

Are out-of-state lenders licensed to operate in Tennessee?+

Yes — all four lenders on this page are licensed to originate auto loans nationwide. Many Tennessee drivers can also save by checking local credit unions, which sometimes beat national APRs by 0.5–1 point.

How does Tennessee's insurance requirement affect my loan?+

Your lender will require comprehensive + collision coverage at minimum (gap insurance is recommended). Memphis and Nashville pay roughly 25% more than rural Tennessee.

Can I deduct auto sales tax in Tennessee?+

If you itemize on your federal return, you can choose to deduct state sales tax instead of state income tax. On a $35k vehicle in Tennessee, that's a potential ~$2,450 deduction line.

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