Valuation Tool Comparison
Cars Trucks SUV EVs vs Kelley Blue Book
Vehicle valuation guide vs. local dealer directory.
Updated May 2026 · 2026 comparison
Short answer
Kelley Blue Book (KBB) is a Cox Automotive valuation product that estimates what a car is worth. We don't do valuations — we list the dealers near you. They complement each other: use KBB to know what your trade is worth, use us to find the dealer who'll honor that number.
Best for
Estimating trade-in value or selling your car for cash.
Not best for
Finding and comparing local dealers without lead-gen routing.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Cars Trucks SUV EVs | Kelley Blue Book |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle valuations | No | Yes |
| Instant Cash Offer | Via dealer | Yes |
| Full local dealer directory | Yes | Partial |
| No lead capture | Yes | No |
| Side-by-side compare | Yes | No |
Where we win
- Local dealer discovery — KBB's dealer locator is narrower than ours.
- No lead capture, no Cox affiliate routing.
- Side-by-side dealer comparison.
Where Kelley Blue Book wins
- Authoritative trade-in and private-party values.
- Brand recognition with banks and lenders.
- Instant Cash Offer for selling your car.
Why we're different
- KBB tells you a car's value. We tell you who's selling that car nearby.
- KBB's Instant Cash Offer routes to Cox-affiliated dealers. Our directory routes to every dealer.
- KBB earns lead fees. We don't have leads.
Pricing reality
KBB is free for shoppers. Revenue comes from Instant Cash Offer dealer fees and listings.
Frequently asked
Is KBB or this site better for buying?
KBB is for valuing a car you own. We're for finding the dealer who'll buy it or sell you the next one. Different jobs.
Skip Kelley Blue Book. Find a local dealer in 30 seconds.
Free directory. No signup. No lead capture. Call the dealer directly.