What is Edmunds Anyway?
Edmunds is one of the Internet’s most popular car-reviewing sites, but how does the company’s ranking system actually work?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
If you’re
shopping
for a car, there are a multitude of websites that offer info and support. Some offer industry insights while others connect you to buyers. One of the most popular options is Edmunds.But what exactly is Edmunds? Is it a
trustworthy
source? A quick visit to the company’s website shows pricing on new vehicles, listings of used models, and reviews on vehicles and dealers
. But how does it find those prices, and how does it conduct research for its reviews?The online resource based out of Santa Monica,
California
bodes well in the eyes of business reviewers like Fast & Company and Forbes, but users have also given it poor ratings on sites like Sitejabber. Who’s telling the truth? Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
, takes a closer look.A short history of Edmunds
In 1966, Ludwig Arons founded Edmunds, naming it after a close friend who had recently passed away. The company began by producing a booklet of consolidated car specifications to help shoppers make informed decisions.
In the ‘90s, Edmunds went online and formed partnerships with
GEICO
and another web-based company called Autobytel that connected buyers with dealers. These two companies paid Edmunds a fee each time the site generated a lead for a car or insurance sale.The 2000s were a time of change for Edmunds. It started Inside Line, a free online magazine, in 2005. In 2009, the company launched an inventory search tool for new cars. It expanded the resource to used vehicles two years later.
Inside Line was discontinued in 2013, but its resources were integrated with Edmunds’ main site. Since then, Edmunds has become one of the most trusted
online
sources for information on cars and dealers. The business was bought by Carmax in 2021 for $404 million.How does Edmunds’ review process work?
Every year, Edmunds’ Vehicle Testing Team conducts a number of standardized procedures to evaluate the auto industry’s
new models
. They test each car on Edmunds’ test track, measure it in their studio, take it on a 120-mile road test, and drive it in a variety of weather conditions. A score is given to each model based on 30 different criteria, and rankings are updated as new vehicles are tested.
Motorbiscuit
says Edmunds’ strength as a reviewer is its focus on the numbers. Rather than offering subjective opinions, the company focuses on quantitative, measurable results.Can I trust Edmunds?
When it comes to its car reviews, Edmunds is a trusted source. But in regards to its “Price Promise” and “Edmunds Deal” on car listings, the jury is still out. Reviewers on
SiteJabber
complain that these offerings aren’t always held up by dealers.While buying a car through the site hasn’t turned out so well for some, most people agree that Edmunds is a reliable resource for learning about available models and deciding which one to buy. It’s always a good idea to get more than one opinion, though.
The same thing can be said about buying
car insurance
. No matter what make and model you buy, getting multiple quotes on insurance policies can help you save money. Jerry
can get you quotes from up to 50 providers in a matter of minutes.The savings keep coming even after Jerry finds you great insurance at the lowest price. Before every policy renewal period, you’ll be presented with new competitive quotes, which means you’ll always have the best coverage at the best price. If you want to switch policies, that’s fine! Jerry can help cancel your old policy.
4.7
