So, you’re scrolling through that endless digital sea of shiny SUVs and compact sedans, and you start wondering: does Carvana sell new cars, or is it strictly a "previously loved" situation? It’s a fair question. Especially now, in early 2026, when the line between a "used" car with 14 miles on it and a brand-new one feels thinner than a coat of wax.
Honestly, the answer used to be a hard "no." For over a decade, Carvana was the king of the used car jungle. They built an empire on those giant glass vending machines and the promise that you could buy a car without ever smelling a salesperson's cheap cologne. But things changed. Just last year, in March 2025, Carvana actually dipped its toes into the "new" market by acquiring its first traditional new-car dealership—a Stellantis retailer in Arizona.
Even with that pivot, the reality for most shoppers on the site today is still a bit different than you might expect.
The Short Answer: It’s Kinda Complicated
If you go to the Carvana website right now and search for a 2026 Honda Passport or a 2026 Hyundai Palisade, you’ll see them pop up. They look brand new. They smell brand new. They might only have 3,000 miles on the odometer.
But here’s the kicker: Technically, 99% of what you see on Carvana is classified as used.
Even if a car has 10 miles on it, if it was previously registered to a person or a fleet, it's legally used. Carvana's core business model is still built around the pre-owned market. However, that recent acquisition of the Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram) dealership in Arizona was a massive signal. It means Carvana is finally moving toward a "hybrid" model where they can actually sell brand-new vehicles directly from the manufacturer.
Why does this matter to you?
- The "New-ish" loophole: You can find "new" model year cars (like 2025s and 2026s) that are essentially new but priced as used.
- The Dealer Connection: By owning a physical new-car dealership, Carvana can technically act as a bridge, though most of their national inventory remains pre-owned.
- Warranty Vibes: When you buy a 2026 model from them with 500 miles, you’re still getting the balance of that factory warranty.
Does Carvana Sell New Cars via "Partner" Listings?
You might notice some cars on their site have a little "Partner" label. This is a bit of a "behind the scenes" peek into how they are trying to expand. Carvana has vetted a tiny group of automotive retail partners to list inventory on their platform.
While most of these are still used, the infrastructure is being laid for more direct-from-dealer listings. It’s basically their way of saying, "We don't own this car yet, but our buddy does, and we trust them." They still handle the logistics, so for you, it feels like a standard Carvana purchase.
The Difference Between "New" and "Carvana Certified"
People often mistake Carvana Certified for "new." It’s not. But it’s as close as they can get without the legal paperwork of a New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Every car they sell goes through a 150-point inspection. They check for frame damage, fire damage, and flood history. If a car doesn’t pass, it gets kicked to the wholesale side of the business. This is why a lot of people feel like they’re buying a new car. The reconditioning process is pretty intense—they fix the dings, they deep-clean the interior, and they make sure the tires aren't bald.
But let’s be real. It’s still a used car. If you’re looking for that specific "I'm the first person to ever sneeze in this seat" experience, a traditional dealership or Carvana’s specific new-car arm in Arizona are your only real bets.
Why Won’t They Just Sell All New Cars?
You’d think a massive company like Carvana would want to sell everything. Why not just stock every new Ford and Toyota?
Franchise Laws. These are the ancient, complicated laws that protect local dealerships. In most states, a manufacturer (like Ford) can’t just sell directly to an online site. They have to go through a franchised dealer. This is why Tesla had to fight so many legal battles to sell their cars.
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Carvana’s 2025 move to buy a Stellantis dealership was a "Trojan Horse" strategy. By owning one franchise, they get a seat at the table. They can theoretically start funneling new cars through their online portal in specific regions. But scaling that to all 50 states? That’s a mountain of red tape that’ll take years to climb.
Comparing the Experience: Carvana vs. New Car Dealerships
If you’re on the fence about whether to buy a "new-ish" car from Carvana or a brand-new one from a local lot, here is how the 2026 landscape looks.
The No-Haggle Reality
At a new car dealership, you’re still going to be dealing with the "Finance Manager" and the potential for "Market Adjustments" (which is just a fancy way of saying they’re charging you an extra $5,000 because they can).
Carvana doesn't do that. The price you see is the price you pay. For some people, that peace of mind is worth more than the "new car smell." For others, they want the ability to negotiate $2,000 off the MSRP, which Carvana will never let you do.
The 7-Day Test-Own
This is arguably where Carvana beats a new car dealership. When you buy a new car from a lot, once you drive it off, it’s yours. If you realize two days later that the cup holders don't fit your favorite thermos, you're out of luck.
Carvana gives you seven days. You can drive it to work, put your kids' car seats in it, and see if it actually fits in your garage. If it sucks, they pick it up. No questions asked. That "test-own" period is a huge safety net when you're spending $40,000.
What About Financing and Trade-ins?
Carvana is basically a giant bank that happens to sell cars. They want you to use their financing because that’s where they make a huge chunk of their profit. In 2025, they were making over $7,000 in gross profit per unit, largely due to their in-house lending.
If you have a trade-in, they are surprisingly competitive. They’ve been known to offer more than Kelley Blue Book value just to get more inventory. Since they don't have the overhead of 500 physical lots, they can sometimes pass that savings onto the trade-in offer.
The Registration Headache (The One Warning)
We have to be honest here: Carvana has had some legendary struggles with paperwork. In the past, they’ve even been temporarily banned in certain states because they couldn’t get buyers their permanent license plates on time.
While they’ve poured millions into fixing this by 2026, it’s still a risk. Traditional dealerships handle registration right there on the spot. With Carvana, you might be driving on temporary tags for a while. It's a trade-off for the convenience of having a car dropped off in your driveway by a flatbed truck.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
If you’re looking for a vehicle and the question of does Carvana sell new cars is holding you back, here is how you should play it:
- Check the Odometer Filter: On Carvana, filter your search for vehicles with under 5,000 miles. These are your "new" alternatives. They are often "program cars" or lease returns that are indistinguishable from brand new.
- Verify the Warranty: Before you hit buy, look at the original "In-Service Date." This tells you exactly how much of the manufacturer's 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is left.
- Run the Numbers on New vs. Used: Because used car prices have stayed high, sometimes a brand-new car at a dealership with a 2.9% APR promo is actually cheaper than a used car from Carvana at an 8% interest rate. Always check the total cost of the loan, not just the sticker price.
- Inspect the "Partner" Cars: If you see a car you like that has a "Partner" label, call Carvana and ask where it's located. These sometimes have different delivery fees or timelines than the cars Carvana owns outright.
Ultimately, Carvana is the king of the "nearly new" market. They are slowly moving into the true new car space, but for now, they are the best place to find a 2025 or 2026 model that someone else already took the initial depreciation hit on. If you can live without being the "first" owner, it’s a streamlined way to get a modern ride without the headache of a Saturday spent in a dealership waiting room.