Carvana vs CarMax
Updated onCompare Carvana and CarMax side-by-side. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and target market.
Carvana
An e-commerce used‑car retailer that lets consumers buy, sell, trade and finance used vehicles online and schedule home delivery or vending‑machine pickup.
vs
CarMax
Nationwide used‑vehicle retailer operating physical stores and an online platform, plus auto‑finance services.
Which should you choose?
Carvana
You prefer a fully online buying experience with home delivery or vending‑machine pickup, a 7‑day money‑back guarantee and a longer 100‑day limited warranty, and you don’t need a pre‑purchase test drive.
CarMax
You want in‑person shopping with 250+ physical locations and 24‑hour test drives, plus a longer 10‑day money‑back return window (with a 90‑day/4,000‑mile limited warranty).
Key differences
| Category | Carvana | CarMax | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery & Pickup Coverage | Carvana emphasizes nationwide e‑commerce with home delivery and vending‑machine pickup in 300+ U.S. markets, while CarMax delivery is generally available within a 60‑mile radius of select stores. | ||
| Return Policy | Carvana offers a 7‑day money‑back guarantee, while CarMax currently offers a 10‑day money‑back guarantee, giving you more time to change your mind with CarMax. | ||
| Service & Repairs Support | CarMax customers can use CarMax Service Centers or RepairPal‑certified shops, while Carvana routes limited‑warranty repairs through its SilverRock network (10,000+ in‑network locations). | ||
| Test Drives & Physical Locations | CarMax provides 24‑hour test drives and a large store network (250+ locations), whereas Carvana is primarily online with optional vending‑machine pickup. | ||
| Warranty | Carvana includes a 100‑day/4,189‑mile limited warranty versus CarMax’s 90‑day/4,000‑mile limited warranty, so Carvana’s complimentary coverage lasts a bit longer. |
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