Buying a new car? Why you might want to abide by the 20% rule
Buying an automobile is one of the biggest purchases many Americans will make in their lives. New car prices have hit record highs, creeping up to an average price of nearly $50,000 in 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book.
If you're buying a new car in 2025, choosing the right financing strategy can make a huge impact on your ownership experience and monthly payments. What is the "20% rule," and how can you use it to your advantage when purchasing the car, truck, or SUV of your dreams?
Thousands of drivers will finance new cars in 2025. The way you structure your financing plan affects how much equity you have in your new vehicle as well as your monthly, annual, and total payments including interest.
A minimum down payment of 20% can make financing deals less expensive in the long run for car buyers. The down payment "reduces the principal loan amount and the interest you're likely to pay" according to Chase Bank.
Suppose you're financing a new 2025 Toyota RAV4. If you secure a 60-month (five-year) financing loan with an interest rate of 4.99%, your monthly payments could be as low as $440 a month with 20% down (before taxes, fees, and interest). A 20% down payment on the 2025 RAV4 ($29,2590 before taxes and fees) works out to $5,850. This leaves a principal amount of 80% of the SUV's MSRP ($23,400 plus taxes, fees, and interest).
Your monthly payment is your principal loan amount divided by your loan term (60 months in the example above) plus the fluctuating monthly cost of interest on the principal (4.99% annually in the example above). Drivers can save thousands in interest payments by putting at least 20% of a car's total cost as a down payment due to the cost of interest over time.
If you want to save even more money on your car loan and are able to manage your monthly payments after a 20% down payment, there are methods to pay the full cost of your car's financing before the end of your loan term. That said, there could be costs associated with paying off your car loan early and it could negatively impact your credit score.
If you pay your monthly loan amount and make additional payments on the principal, you can pay off your vehicle before the end of your loan term. This ensures that you will reduce the amount of total interest you pay through financing, but it can have unintended consequences depending on your lender.
Ultimately, the best way to insure that you save money on interest when financing a vehicle is to make the largest down payment possible and gain more equity in your car. The "20% rule" is a strategy implemented to reduce the total cost of financing a vehicle, but you can tailor your financing agreement to your individual financial needs and goals.
The average auto loan payment was "$675 as of Q1 2025", according to consumer credit reporting company Experian. NerdWallet says the average annual percentage interest rate for new cars is 6.70% for individuals with a credit score between 661-780. Interest rates increase significantly for drivers with lower credit scores (13.22% for 501-600 score).
Between rising new car prices and high interest rates, financing a new car is more expensive than ever before. Before purchasing a new car, truck or SUV, drivers should:
Assess how much the new vehicle's true cost could be including taxes, fees, and interest
Calculate the precise monthly auto loan payment and see if it fits within your budget
Consider how a high-percentage down payment could reduce your total financing expenditure
Brand-new cars may be fun to own and drive, but they are seldom needed, as used cars car provide sufficient value for more affordable prices. Thanks to depreciation, American drivers can find great deals on used car models that cost thousands less than new car models. So, if you're in the market for a new car in 2025, be sure to triple-check your numbers before making any financial commitment.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the 20% rule for car buying, why do drivers follow it?
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