ATLANTA — Hearst Auto’s Car and Driver is rolling out new shopping tools for consumers and dealers designed to guide consumers into the seat of their next car. The first, Black Book-powered Trade-In Value, offers precise vehicle values that, according to company officials, deliver price flexibility for dealers and a trusted appraisal with fewer steps for consumers.

Built with easy-to-use features such as suggestive search and form auto-fill, the new tool gives shoppers the ability to obtain trade-in values in three simple steps. Dealers simply embed the tool into their vehicle details page on Car and Driver’s listings.

The automotive publisher also announced the release of CREDIT SCORE, an Equifax-powered tool that provides consumers with a free and seamless experience to obtain their credit score. The credit score remains private to the consumer and forecasts their risk of default.

Credit Score requires the consumer to enter limited personal information in one simple form, on a single screen. Social Security number and date of birth are not required. The tool uses the information to generate a more qualified lead for dealers, according to the company.

“Dealers and consumers have continued to look for ways to make for an easier, more efficient vehicle shopping process that reduces friction and headaches during negotiations,” said Brian Abrams, senior director of product strategy at Car and Driver. “We’re excited about the new Car and Driver Trade-In Value and Credit Score tools, and how they will help consumers receive a more accurate trade appraisal of their current vehicle and a better understanding of their financing options when researching their next vehicle.

“For dealers, these products offer the ability to connect and engage with consumers at different stages of the shopping process, while providing more flexibility for trade-in offers and more personalized finance offers.”

A full-service implementation guide is included for both of these tools to ensure an optimal consumer experience on the dealer’s website, while the Car and Driver lead-nurturing program keeps the dealership top of mind with shoppers for sixty days following the trade-in appraisal or credit score engagement.