A 2003 Library Journal survey of automobile-related websites described cars.com as ranked the site positively, noting staff-written reviews that are signed, dated, detailed, and illustrated.

On August 5, 2014, Gannett announced that it would buy out the remaining stakes in Classified Ventures it did not already own, for $2.5 billion.

[15][16] In February 2018, Cars.com announced the acquisition of Dealer Inspire, a digital marketing agency serving automotive dealerships located in Naperville, Illinois.

The Editorial team operates independently of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments and does not accept free trips or gifts from automakers.

Since July 1998, Cars.com has been in partnership with the Magliozzis of Car Talk[26] and the website includes a Cartalk advice section.