Carvana Now Provides (Certain) Test Drives, and There's No Salesperson to Pressure You

      Carvana

      

      

      

      

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      Like many companies, Carvana is attempting to move beyond the chaos of COVID. The online retailer experienced significant growth during the pandemic, only to face a sharp decline as the used-car market slowed down, followed by a brief and strange uptick that one investment group described as “a grift for the ages.” Now, the company is taking steps to incorporate some characteristics of traditional dealerships it competes with, while still ensuring a customer-friendly, shark-free car-buying experience.

      Recently, Carvana introduced test drives of new vehicles at its Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram location in Texas, one of two Stellantis dealerships it acquired in 2025 (the other is located in Arizona). The new Test Drive Center allows potential buyers to experience vehicles firsthand without pressure from sales staff or immediate negotiation expectations, as per Carvana’s statement. Staff are present solely to answer questions and manage vehicle movement.

      Carvana

      Customers are welcomed by a four-sided screen that lets them browse the available vehicles (which likely includes options from each brand’s current offerings), compare different trim levels, and customize a vehicle. Display models come with a QR code that provides a virtual tour detailing specifications and available configurations. In any case, the system identifies the closest match to a shopper’s desired specifications from a fleet of test vehicles, and staff facilitate bringing it to a valet lane for a test drive.

      Purchasing remains solely through Carvana’s website, allowing customers to complete their purchases either from the dealership or the comfort of their homes. The company continues to promise no-haggle pricing on vehicles in its inventory.

      Carvana

      During COVID, Carvana benefitted from soaring used-car prices, but this growth was rapid and unsustainable. The company faced complications with paperwork, causing issues in multiple U.S. states as customer registrations began to lapse before their title paperwork was finalized. Consequently, Carvana lost its dealer license in Michigan and had to settle a lawsuit in Connecticut regarding delayed registrations and seller payments. Efforts like car vending machines and sponsoring Jimmie Johnson’s IndyCar endeavor couldn’t mask these issues.

      The volatility of the used-car market has evidently not been favorable for Carvana, which may clarify its choice to acquire physical dealer franchises for new car sales. Additionally, ongoing resistance from franchised-dealer lobbies in some states against online sales has played a role. Regardless of whether the inventory is new or used, providing test drives is a sensible move towards expanding that business.