Refinance · Editor review
Caribou review.
Best for: Subprime and near-prime borrowers (580–680 FICO) who want refinance options without bouncing across multiple aggregators.
APR range
5.49–17.99%
Min credit
580+
Loan amount
$7,500–$80,000
Term
24–84 mo
What we like
- +580 FICO floor — among the lowest in the refi market
- +Pure refinance specialist — focused product, focused service
- +Bundles GAP + extended warranty into the refinanced loan
- +Strong web app — completely paperless from quote to close
What we don't
- −Doesn't do new-purchase or lease-buyout loans
- −Maximum loan amount of $80,000 (lower than AutoPay's $100k)
- −Maximum term of 84 months (some marketplaces go to 96)
- −Newer brand — less name recognition than bank-backed competitors
Editor's verdict
Caribou is a pure refi specialist (not a marketplace; not a purchase lender). Their 580 FICO floor is one of the lowest in the refinance space, and they actively help drivers fold GAP and warranty contracts into the new loan — a real consolidation tool, not just a rate-shop.
Advertiser disclosure: Offers below are from partners that compensate us when you click or apply. Compensation does not determine our rankings. How we make money.
Caribou FAQ
Is Caribou a bank or a marketplace?+
Neither — Caribou is a dedicated refinance lender that originates loans through partnerships with regional banks and credit unions (similar to how SoFi originates personal loans). Their tech stack and underwriting are proprietary; the actual loan capital comes from their banking partners.
How does Caribou bundle GAP and warranty into the refinance?+
If you currently pay for GAP insurance or an extended warranty rolled into your dealer loan, Caribou can help you cancel those add-ons and refund the unused portion as a principal reduction on the new loan. They also sell their own GAP and warranty products at the credit-union rates (typically 40–60% cheaper than what the dealer F&I office sells).
What credit score do I really need for a competitive Caribou rate?+
Caribou's floor is 580 but the most competitive APRs (under 8%) are reserved for borrowers with 700+ FICO and 12+ months of on-time payments on the current auto loan. Subprime applicants are approved at higher APRs — the value at 580–640 FICO is often the ability to escape an even worse dealer rate, not a headline-low APR.