4.7 CarGurus is an online car shopping platform that helps shoppers find the best deals on new and used cars. The company was founded in 2006 by Langley Steinert, co-founder of TripAdvisor. CarGurus has a team of over 300 employees and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The company's mission is to empower car buyers with the data they need to make informed purchase decisions. CarGurus does this by providing listings for millions of cars from dealerships and private sellers around the country. In addition, CarGurus offers tools like dealer ratings and reviews, as well as pricing analysis so shoppers can be sure they're getting a good deal.
Since its launch, CarGurus has become one of the most popular car shopping platforms in the US. In 2018, the company launched in the UK, followed by Canada and Australia in 2019. Today, CarGurus is available in four countries and continues to expand its reach to help more shoppers find their perfect car.
Features & Highlights
Real Experience Using CarGurus
Application Scenarios
As someone who frequently travels and is always on the lookout for reliable transportation, I turned to CarGurus for my car shopping needs. One day, I was visiting a new city and realized I needed a temporary vehicle. I opened the CarGurus app, entered my location, and within minutes, I had a list of nearby dealerships and their available inventory. It was incredibly convenient, allowing me to find a car that suited my requirements without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar territory.
Another scenario was when I wanted to surprise my partner with a new SUV for our growing family. I used CarGurus to filter through various options based on safety ratings and space requirements. The app's ability to provide detailed specifications and comparisons made it easy to shortlist a few models before visiting dealerships for test drives.
User Experience
The CarGurus app has a clean and intuitive user interface that makes navigation seamless. From the moment I opened it, I was greeted with a straightforward layout, allowing me to jump right into searching for cars. The search filters are robust, enabling me to narrow down my choices based on make, model, price, and even mileage. Each listing provides high-quality images and detailed information, which made it easy to assess the condition and features of each vehicle.
In terms of performance, the app runs smoothly without any lags or crashes, which is a relief when I'm trying to quickly browse options. I particularly appreciated the interactive map feature that displays car listings in my vicinity, making it easier to plan dealership visits. Overall, my experience with CarGurus has been overwhelmingly positive; it feels like a trusted companion in the often overwhelming car-buying journey.
Pricing
CarGurus is free to download and use, which is a significant advantage compared to some other car-buying platforms. While there may be ads or promotional content, I found them to be unobtrusive and not detracting from the overall experience. If you're looking for in-depth tools or premium features, the app may offer additional services in the future, but the core functionalities provided are more than sufficient for most users. It's refreshing to have such a comprehensive tool available without a subscription fee.
Updates & Support
The CarGurus app is regularly updated, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and improvements. I've noticed enhancements in the app’s speed and the addition of new filtering options since I first downloaded it. The support team is responsive and helpful; I reached out once with a query about a listing, and they replied within a day with clear guidance. Knowing that there is reliable support behind the app adds an extra layer of comfort when navigating my car-buying journey.
Security & Privacy Review
As an American user, security and privacy are paramount when using apps like CarGurus. The app is available on both the App Store and Google Play, which provides a level of assurance regarding its credibility. Upon registration, I was asked to provide basic personal information, such as my name and email address, which felt standard for an app of this nature. However, I appreciated that the app does not require excessive information, minimizing potential privacy concerns.
In terms of ads and tracking behavior, CarGurus does display advertisements, but they seem relevant to my interests and do not feel intrusive. I was pleased to find that I had the option to opt-out of personalized ads, allowing me to maintain control over my data. Overall, CarGurus addresses security and privacy concerns effectively, making it a trustworthy choice for anyone looking to buy or sell a vehicle.





CarGurus Take the Pain Out of Shopping for a Car. I've tried all of the car shopping apps, but I keep on going back to CarGurus. Their app is easy to use. The filters are easy to set. They actually work, so I just see the cars that I'm interested in. And, they seem to have a larger selection of cars than the other apps. They put the fun back into shopping for a car. It's hard to decide which car to select. I can only get one.





Basic features are broken. You can't create a search for a car unless there's at least one car in your area matching the search, otherwise it disables the search button. Another issue is if I create a search and subscribe to emails, it will spam me daily with "suggested" cars that don't even match the search criteria. It keeps checking the delivery options box on my search even though I didn't save it with it. If that doesn't sound right to you you need to familiarize yourself with your own app.





They are using your search against you. The price this morning on a car we were looking at last night has increased. I believe it's tied to us because there isn't suddenly interest in this one make/model of car. Either that or they are lowballing to get you to come see the car. Either way, this app allows dealers to bait and switch on price.





I like this app, save for one GLARING shortcoming: I can't see the cars that I've saved to my list that have been sold, so for example I have 34 saved cars, yet only 21 pull up. I want to be able to see even the ones that sold, so I can look for similar cars/features in the future. Currently, I have no idea which items were sold or taken down of the 13 missing saved cars on my list, and THAT'S frustrating.





The listing are mostly from dealers, and there's no indication whether a particular dealer is reliable or not. You know what people say about used car salesmen.. The app itself often have technical glitches. For 2 days in a row it's showing message like "technical difficulties". Once I save a search it starts to send me emails . Not useful app. Seems to be supported by the less than reputable used car industry.
Review Source: Google Play store public user reviews.
Yes, users can submit suggestions or feedback through the app's support or contact options, which are typically found in the settings or help sections of the app.
Yes, CarGurus: Used & New Cars may collect personal data to enhance user experience and improve services, but it adheres to privacy policies to protect user information.
CarGurus: Used & New Cars primarily requires an internet connection to access up-to-date listings and features, so offline use is limited.
Since the app is free and does not require a subscription for its main features, there is no subscription to cancel. Users can simply uninstall the app if they choose to stop using it.
The app does not require a subscription for its core features, as it is free to use. However, certain premium features may be available for a fee.
Yes, if you're having trouble activating your account, contact customer service for assistance through their support channels.
To activate your CarGurus account, check your email for a confirmation link and click it to complete the activation process.
You can check the status of your request by logging into your CarGurus account and visiting the support section for updates.
You can reach CarGurus customer service by calling their support number listed on the website or using the live chat feature for immediate help.
You can update your customer number by logging into your account and navigating to your account settings.