The Top 10 Most Refinanced Vehicles in 2021

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Do you drive one of the most popular vehicles for auto loan refinancing?

2021 was quite the year…for auto loan refinancing. Because that’s what you expected us to say, right?

While the COVID-19 pandemic continued to complicate life and personal finances everywhere, many borrowers took advantage of historically low interest rates and refinanced their auto loans. In many cases, people were able to cut their rates in half. According to the 2022 RateGenius State of Auto Refinance report, borrowers reduce their interest rates by 7% on average when they refinanced.

Since you’re here, chances are you’re curious about auto loan refinancing — and you may want to join the savings bandwagon. So, before we dive into the top 10 most refinanced vehicles in 2021, let’s make sure everyone understands the auto loan refinancing process.

2023 Auto Refinance Rates See Today's Rates

How Does Auto Loan Refinancing Work?

Auto loan refinancing is not as technical or complicated as it might sound. Essentially, it’s the process of replacing your current car loan with a new one. Why go through the lending process all over again? Ideally, your new loan would come with better terms, like a lower interest rate and monthly payment.

For instance, maybe market rates have gone down since you bought your car. Or perhaps you didn’t have the best credit when you first applied. If you’ve improved your credit score or even gotten a raise, you might qualify for some serious savings. Last year, roughly one in five borrowers who refinanced managed to cut their monthly payments by more than $150.

Your actual savings depend on various factors, as well as external forces like lending market competition and the health of the economy (both locally and nationally). But contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a spotless credit profile to qualify for this level of savings.

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Do I Qualify for Auto Loan Refinancing?

When people think about qualifying for a loan, their minds typically jump to their credit scores. While this is an important factor, it’s not the only factor. Here’s what you can expect lenders to consider when you apply for auto loan refinancing:

With so many factors at play, there’s no hard-set rule for qualifying. To give you an idea though, the average credit score of borrowers who refinanced last year was 670. Moreover, the average LTV was 93.1%, and lenders typically prefer applicants with DTIs below 50%. Last but not least, the newer your car the better your odds (usually).

What rate can I get? What rate can I get?

What Were the Top 10 Most Refinanced Vehicles in 2021?

Similar to 2020, there was an obvious trend in terms of what vehicle class saved the most money by refinancing last year: pickup trucks.

And it wasn’t particularly close. Refinancing helped truck owners save $131 per month on average. Meanwhile, SUVs finished the year in second place with average monthly savings of $113. Coupes and sports cars came in third (averaging $103 per month).

Now, without further adieu, let’s get to the list.

red toyota camry 2021

10. Toyota Camry

  • Average annual savings: $1,032
  • MSRP: $25,395 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 313,795
  • Trivia question: Which do you think has more standard horsepower — the Toyota Camry LE or the Audi A4?
  • Answer: You may be surprised to hear the base Camry just edges out the base A4 by a couple of HP (203 to 201).

Chevy Equinox 2021

9. Chevrolet Equinox

  • Average annual savings: $1,308
  • MSRP: $25,800 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 165,325
  • Trivia question: In what year did Chevrolet sell the most Equinoxes in the US? Hint: It wasn’t this decade.
  • Answer: 2019, when Chevy managed to sell 346,049 units.

Jeep Cherokee 2021
8. Jeep Cherokee

  • Average annual savings: $1,116
  • MSRP: $28,135 for the 2021 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 89,126
  • Trivia question: The Jeep Cherokee was the first winner of what award in 1974?
  • Answer: In its first year of production, the Jeep Cherokee became the inaugural winner of Four Wheeler magazine’s Achievement Award (which is now known as the Four Wheeler of the Year award).

Honda Accord 2021

7. Honda Accord

  • Average annual savings: $900
  • MSRP: $26,120 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 202,676
  • Trivia question: What was the MSRP of the inaugural 1976 Honda Accord?
  • Answer: Prices aren’t what they used to be (thanks, inflation). The first ever Honda Accord went for $3,995

Nissan Rogue 2021

6. Nissan Rogue

  • Average annual savings: $1,560 (the highest on this list, by the way)
  • MSRP: $26,700 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 285,601
  • Trivia question: What percentage of Nissan’s total model sales does the Rogue account for?
  • Answer: In 2021, Nissan sold 919,090 model units — Rogues represented almost a third (more than 31%) of that figure.
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Nissan Altima 2021

5. Nissan Altima

  • Average annual savings: $864
  • MSRP: $24,650 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 103,776
  • Trivia question: Nissan was third behind which two automakers for highest average monthly savings from auto refinancing in 2021?
  • Answer: Tesla (1st) and Mercedes-Benz (2nd). Not a bad pair to be grouped with.

Honda Civic 2021

4. Honda Civic

  • Average annual savings: $1,032
  • MSRP: $22,350 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 263,787
  • Trivia question: Can you name the top speed of the Honda Civic Type R?
  • Answer: The Type R can absolutely fly, topping out at 169 miles per hour. (And the Limited Edition can hit 180 mph — sheesh.)

Ford-150 2021

3. Ford F150

  • Average annual savings: $1,260
  • MSRP: $29,990 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 726,003
  • Trivia question: How many years has the Ford F-Series been the highest-selling truck in America?
  • Answer: 45 years. The Ford F-Series run as the highest-selling truck simply can’t be stopped.

Chevy Silverado1500 2021

2. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

  • Average annual savings: $1,356
  • MSRP: $30,400 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 529,765
  • Trivia question: Where did the Chevy Silverado 1500 rank on last year’s Top 10 Most Refinanced Vehicles list?
  • Answer: In 2020, no vehicle was refinanced more than the Chevy Silverado 1500, as it claimed the top spot on our Top 10 Most Refinanced Vehicles list.

White Dodge Ram1500 2021
Photo Credit: Carmax.com

1. Dodge Ram 1500

  • Average annual savings: $1,344
  • MSRP: $35,900 for the 2022 base model
  • Models sold in 2021: 569,389
  • Trivia question: What’s the towing capacity of a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500?
  • Answer: The newest Ram 1500 has a max towing capacity of 12,750 —which is roughly four and a half Honda Civics!

Not in the Top 10? You Can Still Save

If your vehicle made the 2021 Top 10 Most Refinanced Vehicles list, congrats! You may be chomping at the bit to see if you can secure savings. However, if your vehicle didn’t make the cut — don’t fret. Borrowers saved $1,156 per year on average by refinancing last year, regardless of vehicle model.

Considering the Federal Reserve has contemplated three or four interest rate hikes this year, now wouldn’t be a bad time to apply. Going forward, it’s reasonable to expect auto loan rates to rise in conjunction with the Fed’s rate movements.

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