If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t I just add a car to my Amazon cart alongside my paper towels and a new phone charger?” — you’re in luck. Starting today, Amazon Auto is live, letting shoppers in 48 U.S. cities buy brand-new Hyundai vehicles directly on the platform. Yes, the same website where you impulsively buy quirky gadgets at 2 a.m. is now selling actual cars.

Amazon Auto’s partnership with Hyundai Motors aims to bring the convenience of online shopping to the car-buying process. Shoppers can search for their dream ride based on make, model, trim, color, and features, all while enjoying “transparent, upfront pricing.” No more awkward small talk with dealership salespeople—just click, filter, and add to your virtual garage.

But don’t expect to see a Prime truck pulling up with your shiny new Hyundai. Delivery logistics are still handled by local dealerships, meaning you’ll need to pick up your car from a nearby lot. (No, drone delivery isn’t coming for cars. Yet.

What’s the Deal With Amazon Auto?

Hyundai is Amazon’s exclusive launch partner, giving car buyers access to local dealership inventories from Atlanta to Seattle. The service offers a streamlined process:

• Shop your way: Filter by model, trim, and even cup holder count (probably).
• Trade-in options: Evaluate your old ride with an “independent third party,” who hopefully won’t judge your duct-tape bumper repair.
• Financing: Still handled by dealerships for now. Amazon’s just the matchmaker here.

For a limited time, Amazon is even sweetening the deal with a $2,300 gift card for car buyers, redeemable toward the purchase or (more realistically) for outfitting your new car with accessories like phone mounts or one of those wacky inflatable tube guys.

Hyundai’s Dealerships Get the Amazon Treatment

This partnership isn’t just a win for shoppers—Hyundai dealers are loving it too. For dealerships, Amazon is essentially the ultimate influencer, connecting them to millions of potential buyers without the headache of building their own e-commerce systems.

As Amazon Auto’s global head Fan Jin put it: “We’re bringing the simplicity and ease customers expect from Amazon to car shopping.” And honestly, with 69% of car buyers saying they’d prefer to avoid dealership drama altogether, Amazon Auto might just be the hero we didn’t know we needed.

Why Now, Amazon?

Car sales aren’t a new idea for Amazon. They’ve been dabbling in automotive showrooms for years, but this marks their first attempt at actually facilitating purchases. And with the auto industry ripe for disruption (thank you, Tesla), it’s perfect timing for Amazon to step in and streamline the process.

The service currently applies only to new Hyundais, but if it gains traction, expect Amazon to expand to other brands—and maybe even used cars. For now, if you’re not in the market for a Hyundai, you’ll have to wait to see what Amazon Auto adds next.

The Elephant (or Electric Car?) in the Room

Of course, Amazon Auto isn’t without its quirks. Financing still goes through dealerships, meaning buyers could face those infamous dealership markups. Plus, while Amazon’s involvement simplifies browsing and buying, it doesn’t eliminate traditional dealership practices entirely.

But for an industry that’s been slow to adapt to digital transformation, Amazon Auto feels like a giant leap forward. And hey, if it means fewer awkward showroom encounters and more time browsing from your couch, count us in.

What’s Next for Amazon Auto?

For now, the program is limited to 48 cities and Hyundai vehicles, but Amazon has big plans for 2025, including expanding to more regions and potentially bringing other brands onboard. With the potential to revolutionize the way we buy cars, Amazon Auto could be to car shopping what Prime was to delivery: a game-changer.

So next time Amazon suggests you “complete your purchase,” don’t be surprised if it’s nudging you toward a Hyundai Elantra instead of just a pack of AA batteries.

Now, the real question: Will Amazon suggest “frequently bought together” items like fuzzy dice, seat covers, and a travel coffee mug? We’ll have to wait and see.