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The car guide, for everyone.

Free · no account · ES / EN
The history of the automobile in 12 carsFrom a motorized tricycle to a driverless taxi. Twelve machines that explain why your car is the way it is.
What is a VIN, and what do its 17 characters say?It is a vehicle's fingerprint. Learn to read it in two minutes and never buy blind again.
xCruzo News
xCruzo · Automotive news
Explore the latest automotive coverageOpen the automotive section of xCruzo News

Where are you in your car journey?

Short guides with source and date.

Buying a carRead the VIN, check the title, negotiate with the report in hand.6 guides →I own a carMaintenance, real cost, your state's weather.3 guides →Iowa paperworkTitle, registration, private transfer, lemon law. Official source and effective date.3 guides →
You know what to look for. Now look at that specific car.
Free vehicle identity, no account needed. Reports from $4.99.
Search VIN free →

■ The history of your car — America's best sellers

See all brands →
Ford F-Series (F-150)
1948–present
Toyota RAV4
1994–present (US from 1996)
Honda CR-V
1995–present
Ram 1500
1981–present
Tesla Model Y
2020–present
Chevrolet Silverado
1999–present
Nissan Rogue
2007–present
Jeep Grand Cherokee
1992–present
GMC Sierra 1500
1988–present
Hyundai Tucson
2004–present
Subaru Crosstrek
2012–present
Kia Sportage
1993–present
Mazda CX-5
2012–present
Lexus RX
1998–present
Chrysler Pacifica
2004–present
Volkswagen Tiguan
2008–present
BMW X5
1999–present
Mercedes-Benz GLE
GLE name introduced in 2015
Dodge Durango
1998–present
Buick Encore GX
2020–present
Audi Q5
2008–present
Acura MDX
2001–present
Mitsubishi Outlander
2001–present
Cadillac Escalade
1999–present
Volvo XC90
2002–present
Lincoln Nautilus
2007–present
Genesis GV70
2021–present
Infiniti QX60
2013–present
Rivian R1S
2022–present
Porsche Macan
2014–present
MINI Countryman
2011–present
Alfa Romeo Tonale
2022–present
Fiat 500
1957–1975; U.S. model years 2012–2019 and from 2024
Aston Martin DBX
2020–present
Bentley Bentayga
2015–present
Ferrari Roma
Introduced in 2019
Jaguar F-Pace
2016–2025
Lamborghini Urus
2018–present
Land Rover Defender
Defender name introduced in 1990
Lotus Emira
Introduced in 2021
Lucid Air
2021–present
Maserati Grecale
2022–present
McLaren 750S
Introduced in 2023
Polestar 2
2020–present
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
2018–present
VinFast VF 8
2022–present

■ Buying a car

Checklist before buying a used car in Iowa6 min · ES / EN · FTC, NHTSA, Iowa DOTTitle Check: what a Iowa car title really says7 min · ES / EN · Iowa Code § 321.52, §§ 321.24 and 321.69; Iowa Admin. Code 761—405.7Dealer or private seller: pros, cons and traps of each5 min · ES / EN · FTC, Iowa DOTThe bilingual dealership glossary5 min · ES / EN · FTC, Iowa DOTHow to negotiate with the VIN report in your hand5 min · ES / EN · FTC, xCruzoPre-purchase inspection: what they check, what it costs and how to choose the mechanic5 min · ES / EN · FTC, NHTSA, ASE

■ I own a car

Maintenance schedule by mileage (Iowa edition)5 min · ES / EN · Manual del fabricante, NHTSA, AAAGetting your car ready for an Iowa winter5 min · ES / EN · Iowa DOT, Iowa DOTThe real cost of owning a car, by vehicle type6 min · ES / EN · AAA Your Driving Costs 2025, Iowa DOT

■ Iowa paperwork

Iowa title and registration, step by step6 min · ES / EN · Iowa DOT, Iowa County TreasurersPrivate-party transfer in Iowa: closing the sale without surprises5 min · ES / EN · Iowa DOT, 49 CFR 580Iowa's lemon law and your rights as a buyer6 min · ES / EN · Iowa Code, chapter 322G

Choose your next step

Understand the report levels

Specifications, market signals and listing history have different scopes. Compare the levels and available-data limits before choosing a report.

Compare report coverage Public explanation · no sign-in needed

Continue in My Garage

Organize your saved vehicles, reports and ownership records in one place.

Open My Garage Sign-in required; no vehicle is added by opening this link.

■ Near you

Coming soon: dealers, shops and inspectors by county. Ordered by usefulness, never by who pays.

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■ Official guides

Official resources, free to read. Many have official Spanish editions.

Buying a Used Car — FTCWeb · ENCheck recalls by VIN — NHTSAWeb · ENCar seats and booster seats — NHTSAWeb · ENFuel Economy Guide — EPA / DOEPDF · ENIowa Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle Division (Iowa DOT)Web

■ Books

Public-domain books, for people who love the history of the car.

My Life and Work
Henry Ford · 1922
The Automobile Storage Battery
O. A. Witte · 1922
The Motor Girls on a Tour
Margaret Penrose · 1910

■ Magazines

Archive: public-domain historic covers. Today's magazines, as they join, are read on each publisher's own site.
Motor Age
August 1913 · public domain
Motor Age
May 1902 · public domain
Motor Age
April 1903 · public domain
Have a magazine? Let's talk
You know what to look for. Now look at that specific car.
Free vehicle identity, no account needed. Reports from $4.99.
Search VIN free →