Here's the deal: This year's Capital One Car Buying Outlook shows car buyers are putting their trust in car dealers even more — even amid dramatic changes in a more digital world.

When you pair that trust with the right info, the car-buying process can get smoother and set people up for years of driving a car they genuinely enjoy.

• Car buyers' trust in dealers has surged from 44% in 2023 to 69% this year, and buyers who trust a dealer are more likely to bring them repeat business. Furthermore, car buyers and dealers alike perceive the car buying process as more transparent than past years.
• Car buyers use online tools for ease and then shop in person for excitement. Most recent car buyers (74%) used a mixture of online and in-person buying in 2025. Recent buyers report starting the process online, such as conducting research on vehicles (46%) and local inventory (38%), then moving to down-the-funnel activities in person.

Plus, plus, plus: Taking advantage of new tools can help make it easier when you go to the dealership.

• In 2025, most car buyers (60%) relied on external sources not related to the dealership when they began to research a car purchase, and almost half of recent buyers (46%) researched vehicles online before visiting a dealership in person.

Choosing, buying and financing a vehicle is a big decision — and it takes careful research. When car buyers walk into a dealership well-informed, they have a chance to walk out with a more satisfying outcome. Digital resources like online marketplaces, social media, podcasts and AI can help, but where should car buyers start?

The strategy

• Use the tools. Today's car buyers have it so much easier than before – with a wealth of digital, online resources to help them decide on makes and models, find dealers and inventory and explore financing. The research shows that buyers who are familiar with dealers' digital tools are more likely to feel confident in the process (59%) and trust dealers (71%) compared to those who aren't familiar (45% confident and 56% trust).
• Know your range. If you know your budget, you won't get your heart set on a vehicle you can't afford. Calculators and pre-qualification can help translate a sticker price into down and monthly payments.
• Compare and contrast. Features and specs can be complex, but online tools make it easier to find options beyond a single dealer's inventory, consider them side by side or look for a specific attribute that's important to you.
• Protect yourself. Look for reputable organizations and secure websites that use "HTTPS" before you share any personal or financial information.

Capital One Auto Navigator is a trusted one-stop online marketplace for many of these steps. There, you can shop for new or used cars by model and location (including electric vehicles), find dealers and get pre-qualified for a loan with no impact on your credit score. You can also your information with dealers if you wish, so you arrive at the showroom with many of the details already handled.

Know your budget. Financial literacy gives you an edge: Three-in-five (63%) car buyers say clear financing is the way they would define transparent car buying. You can help gain that clarity if you know your credit score and pre-qualify for a car loan so you know ahead of time exactly what you can afford. Understand the ways fees and financing costs affect what you'll actually pay. Focus on the car's total price, in addition to the monthly payment.

Here's what else: Look to AI for help. A growing number of AI tools, similar to the ones you already use to search for recipes or plan your vacations, can help you gather car shopping information. Simple AI prompts can do the heavy lifting at first, but you should always double-check the results of an AI query by going to the sources it cites. And, in person or online, your local dealer can help answer these questions too.

• Discover online marketplaces. "What tools help with researching and comparing cars?"
• Specify your needs. "What are the top-rated used SUVs with third-row seats?"
• Get under the hood. "What should I ask my car dealer during a test drive?" "What are the most common repairs for this model?"
• Scope the details. "What will it cost to insure this vehicle?" "What are tools for calculating payments and total cost of a car?"
• Learn from (other people's) experience. "Do owners of this car report high satisfaction?" "How well does it hold its resale value?"
• What not to ask: "What car should I buy?" or "How much should I pay?" Online information can help you choose and finance a car, and your car dealer can be a valuable guide. But the final decision should be yours.

The takeaway: For many consumers, a vehicle is the second-largest purchase they'll make outside of a home. Finding the one that's right for you, at the terms that are right for you, is a process that calls for careful consideration. Starting with digital tools can make the whole process feel easier, clearer — and even a little more enjoyable.

Start with Capital One Auto Navigator.