Here we go again.
Back in the seventies, everyone freaked out when gas prices soared. There were long lines, odds and evens days, protests, and, believe it or not, people actually stopped buying big cars -- turning instead to small imports that maximized fuel efficiency.
Yeah. Here we go again.
and dumping our low mileage beasts, all while moaning and whining over the high price we pay at the pump. We especially like to complain about how no one told us this was going to happen, and how, well, it’s all a sinister plot by the Government, Big Oil and the Automakers. You just can’t boost the price of our juice like that, or cut off access to our sweet Black Gold, without some anger and frustration seeping through.
Actually, all in all, we’ve been remarkably patient: through the first quarter of 2006, car buyers did not run for hybrids and compacts, as many feared. Instead, flat to moderate gas prices helped boost large cars like the new
, an excellent new vehicle cursed with poor fuel economy. Everything seemed pretty mellow, with GM and Ford getting into the act and posting some good sales numbers.
Then March hit; and our pace to those hybrids and compacts quickened as prices soared and the President made headlines by saying, in essence, that high gas prices were here to stay. Talk about rubbing dirt in a wound: at least Bush didn’t lecture us on the price of gas in Europe, which was recently selling for about $6.62 per gallon. Whining means never having to admit that others have it worse than you, of course, and there’s plenty of misery at $3 a gallon, thanks much. As a result, people have started to think hard about fuel economy, and the realization has perhaps dawned that 15 miles per gallon or less is just plain frivolous spending, and not too smart, either. With small cars beginning to take off and a host of new subcompacts ready to be introduced by import automakers, the change in mood is just now beginning to really show up in terms of hot-selling vehicles. Based on a study of ten small cars, over the past three months, in fact, there is a significant trend toward
, but small cars so popular in – you guessed it – Europe. The success of the
as the Echo replacement is one such vehicle, and Nissan has great hopes for their Versa subcompact, as does Honda for the Fit. All show significant improvements in overall performance, safety and interior room, which makes the purchase of a small car palatable for more people.
But not all people.
Some people need SUVs and larger cars, in fact, many people do. Achieving an efficient fuel economy life is more complicated than jogging down to the local Toyota dealer and buying a subcompact, so to help those who have needs that go beyond we put together ten smart deals that are also efficient at the pump. Our list includes cars we’d recommend, from compacts to
and SUVs, vehicles that have a decent rebate or finance rate, good crash test ratings and get at least 24 miles per gallon.
How We Select Vehicles How We Select Vehicles
The presumption is that a good deal means more than just cash back; it means a good price on a quality car that’s safe – one that will provide you with years of dependable service.
Rebates are only part of the equation, which is why we bring you this monthly list of the “top deals.” Of course, what you think is a good deal will often vary from our idea of the same – so be sure to check the rebate pages and scan for other discounts not included here. And keep in mind that while we use MSRP pricing as the comparative value, when the time comes to negotiate, be careful to use invoice pricing as your starting point.
Listed on these pages are ten vehicles with notably good deals that expire no earlier than the end of October. We do include dealer incentives, though regional differences may apply to the actual deal you get on a new car. These vehicles are generally considered to be quality cars by the automotive press. The list also factors crash-test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), when they are available. The presumption is that a good deal means more than just cash back; it means a good price on a quality car that’s safe – one that will provide you with years of dependable service.
Ford Escape HybridFord Escape Hybrid
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
MSRP: $26,900 to $28,525
Deal: 0 percent financing
Expires: July, 2006
NHTSA: Frontal impact - four stars driver and passenger; Side impact - five stars front; Rollover – not tested.
IIHS: Not tested
MPG (combined): 33, 2WD Escape HybridEven SUV owners can be environmentally-conscious. As silly as that sounds – really – the
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid delivers guilt-free driving, with all the yummy calories we want from our cargo-laden people wagons. It’s all in that fancy hybrid powertrain, see, that gives the Escape Hybrid the power of a V6 with the fuel economy of the four-cylinder and a very eco-friendly tailpipe. The Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid that runs on either a small four-cylinder engine, electric power, or both: drive it in stop and go traffic and you’ll notice when the electric motor propels you, and when the engine actually kicks over and lends a hand. Inside, the Escape Hybrid is pretty much the same as a regular Escape, though the Hybrid model has a higher load floor in back. Not much is new for 2006 – pretty much just black paint, so you can be a
stealth greenie. Drawbacks of the Escape Hybrid include poor handling, some dicey fit and finish on the inside, and a high base price. Plus, we’d really like to know how this SUV flips.
Buy one today, and feel better about yourself.
Ford Focus Ford Focus
2006 Ford Focus
MSRP: $13,005 - $17,905
Deal: $2,500 cash; 0-4.9 percent financing
Expires: May 31, 2006
NHTSA: 4-door Focus: Frontal impact - five stars driver, four stars passenger; Side impact - three stars front, four stars rear; Rollover - four stars. 2-door Focus: Frontal impact - four stars driver and passenger; Side impact - three stars front, four stars rear with safety concern; Rollover - four stars
IIHS: Good, frontal offset; Poor rating for side impact without optional side airbags
MPG (combined): 28
The Ford Focus just may be the perennial sleeper car of all time, and proof that first impressions do indeed count. After all, it offers virtually everything you need when it comes to commuting or basic transportation: Great gas mileage, low emissions, relative comfort, and zippy performance. Granted, NVH is an issue, but at this price – with money stacked on the hood – you should be ashamed to turn away from the Focus just because the interior is a little loud.
Shoot. Turn the radio up, for goodness sakes. For 2005, Ford even restyled the Focus, giving it a more mature look, the same look that's on the 2006 model. This, plus rebates and special financing, makes the Focus a virtual no-brainer for the segment, especially with gas prices rising and the sky clouding over with soot. The Focus is, ultimately, one of the feel-good cars of the year: a good deal at the dealership, a zippy ride, with great fuel economy and virtually nothing emitting from its tailpipe in “green” states, such as California. Who needs a hybrid, anyway?
Honda AccordHonda Accord
2006 Honda Accord
MSRP: $18,225 to $32,990
Deal: $1,000 dealer cash
Expires: May 31, 2006
NHTSA: Frontal impact - four stars driver and passenger; Side impact - five stars front; Rollover – not tested.
IIHS: Good, frontal offset; Good, side impact
MPG (combined): 29, 4 cylYou could do far worse. If you’re in the market for a sedan or a coupe, and enjoy driving, the Accord should be way up high on your list. Yep, there are cars out there with more horsepower, more style and even cars that sell at a lower price. But scoring another model that offers a better combination of smart interior design, powertrain excellence, driving feel, and overall value would be quite difficult – if not impossible. And though some competitors – including the segment’s gorilla, the
Toyota Camry – are selling thoroughly revised sedans, the 2006 Accord, with a boost in horsepower and a freshened look, will stay relevant until the new 2008 model debuts. The thing about the Accord is that it doesn’t matter so much which model year you buy, because Honda has consistently built its Accord as an excellent driver with great build quality and a smart interior. Sales results say it all: For years, thousands of Americans have chosen the Accord over the competition, a trend that is likely to continue as long as gas prices continue upward, and you can still get 29 miles per gallon (combined) from the Accord’s great little four-cylinder engine.
Honda CR-VHonda CR-V
2006 Honda CR-V
MSRP: $20,395 to $25,450
Deal: $750 dealer cash
Expires: May 31, 2006
NHTSA: Frontal impact - five stars driver and passenger; Side impact - five stars front and side; Rollover – four stars, 2WD; four stars, 4WD
IIHS: Good, frontal impact; Good, side impact
MPG (combined): 25 (four-cylinder)Okay, so maybe the 2006 Honda CR-V fails to get gear heads frothed up or make musicians write songs about its power and style. If you’re a commuter, or need to ferry around a small family, or like utility, it will make
you feel like singing. Dependable, roomy, efficient and easy to drive, the benefits of the CR-V will never go out of style. In fact, it will be soon going in style, thanks to a coming restyle for the 2007 model year that echoes the new
2006 Honda Civic in terms of design (and platform). From photos, it’s a quantum leap from the current CR-V – and that’s a bad thing for shoppers today. However, if you don’t mind the way the current CR-V looks – or don’t care – you should be able to get some excellent deals on the current model, starting now and for the rest of the year. Honda CR-V comes with your choice of two-wheel or four-wheel-drive, a five-speed automatic transmission and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 156 horsepower. Combined with excellent fuel mileage, the CR-V is a solid buy.
Kia RioKia Rio
2006 Kia Rio
MSRP: $10,570 to $13,500
Deal: $500 rebate
Expires: 5/31/06
NHTSA: Frontal impact - four stars driver, five stars passenger; Side impact – three stars, front and rear; Rollover - four stars
IIHS: Not tested
MPG (combined): 33 Kia has come along way, just how far perhaps best represented in the ground covered by its Rio subcompact. What used to be the cheapest car in America is not-quite-so cheap, and, in fact, loaded with features not found in competitor vehicles. Consider: as standard the Kia Rio delivers an attractive design and a pretty comfortable interior, a 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 107 lb.-ft. of torque; a five-speed manual transmission and 14-inch wheels with P175/70R14 tires. A rear window defroster; a tilt steering wheel; a height adjustable driver’s seat with a fold-down armrest; front airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags; and an 8,000-rpm tachometer also come standard.
Add to that great fuel economy, and the Rio has almost all the answers, except for one: safety. Three stars from NHTSA on the side impact test could be better, we think, especially given the weight disadvantage those driving around in a subcompact have compared to a typical SUV. Four and five stars in the frontal impact test, however, is yet another excellent example of just how far Kia – and the Rio – has come.
Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Mazda3
2006 Mazda Mazda3
MSRP: $19,195 to $35,695
Deal: Special lease offers
Expires: May 1, 2006
NHTSA: Frontal impact - four stars driver and passenger; Side impact - three stars front and back; Rollover – four stars
IIHS: Good, frontal offset test; Poor, side impact test without side airbags
MPG: (combined): 29 Most car enthusiasts will tell you to buy this car, and they’re right – you should listen to them. The Mazda Mazda3 is a sporty, sexy little car that sips fuel and makes you feel as though you’re alive, even though you’re driving a compact. Two engine choices help make you feel better about yourself: a 2.3-liter, inline four-cylinder engine that makes 160 horsepower and a 2.0-liter inline four that makes a less robust 150 horsepower. That 2.0-liter engine is, actually, quite a peach, as it provides the best fuel economy and is PZEV rated, in case blue skies and little birds matter to you.
One of the few problems with the Mazda3 is the price: usually a brisk seller, it’s hard to catch one with a significant cash back offer, and a loaded 3 can run almost $20,000. That may be changing, however, as the
new Mazda Mazda3 will bow in 2007, so look for more deals on the existing model.
Mitsubishi LancerMitsubishi Lancer
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
MSRP: $14,599 to $18,999
Deal: $1,000 rebate; 1.9 – 3.9 percent financing
Expires: 6/30/06
NHTSA: Frontal impact - five stars driver and passenger; Side impact – two stars front, four stars rear; Rollover – four stars
IIHS: Good, frontal offset test; Poor, side impact test, without optional side curtain airbags.
MPG (combined): 28 (2.0-liter)
Two stars. That’s it. Just two stars from NHTSA, a feat - so to speak - that few cars manage to achieve on side impact tests nowadays. Add to that a poor test from the IIHS, and the only reason the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer is on this list is because the tests were conducted without side airbags. The addition of side airbags costs just $484 as part of the Security Package, so it’s an affordable option. Still, all cars should score better than this on side impact tests today, and potential Lancer buyers should insist on side airbags. They’ll have the cash for it, as there’s a rebate for $1,000 that expires in June, or special finance rates. And they’ll save some cash at the pump, with a powertrain that manages a combined 28 miles per gallon. That would be the 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that makes 120 horsepower and serves up its power via a standard five-speed manual transmission. With a new look for 2006, it may be two years or so until the Lancer is refreshed completely, making the 2006 year a decent year to buy. Outside of the mechanicals, expect a comfortable seat and plenty of room inside the Lancer, with quality materials and, all in all, a nice ride. Just buy those side airbags.
Saab 9-2XSaab 9-2X
2006 Saab 9-2X
MSRP: $22,990 to $26,950
Deal: $3,000 rebate; 1.9 - 4.9 percent financing
Expires: May 31, 2006
NHTSA: Frontal impact - four stars driver, five stars passenger; Side impact – four stars, front and rear; Rollover - four stars
IIHS: Not tested
MPG (combined): 25 (2.5-liter) Here is a vehicle that hasn't sold well, so there will probably be plenty to choose from at the dealer’s lot – and you may be able to score an even better deal on leftover 2005 models. The 2006 model is largely the same as 2005. With a sticker price that ranges between $22,990 to $26,950, buyers may well get a Saab 9-2X for just over $20,000 – where it should probably be priced, truth be told, and a good deal on a decent car. It’s a 4-door, 5-passenger wagon available in two trims, the Saab 9-2x Linear and Aero. The Linear is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, 165-horsepower engine rated at 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The Aero is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, 227-horsepower, turbo engine with a fuel mileage rating of 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.
Toyota CorollaToyota Corolla
2006 Toyota Corolla
MSRP: $14,105 to $17,880
Deal: $500 rebate
Expires: 5/31/06
NHTSA: Frontal impact – five stars driver, five stars passenger; Side impact – four stars front and rear; Rollover – four stars
IIHS: Good frontal offset test; Acceptable side impact test
MPG (combined): 36 Year after year, the Toyota Corolla has built a reputation as a dependable soldier, a reliable car, a good buy – in short, everything most people require from a car. It’s even got a little style to it, and, since 2005, a “performance” trim: the XRS. Built around a powertrain that features a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder engine that gets great gas mileage and 126 horsepower, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, the Corolla serves a broad swath of people with room and comfort – though editors around here complain about front legroom and seats that could be more comfortable. With stellar safety ratings, a stylish design and great fuel economy, however, it’s hard not to give the Corolla serious consideration, and, with a $500 check from Toyota, maybe a nudge in the Corolla's direction.
Toyota HighlanderToyota Highlander
2006 Toyota Highlander
MSRP: $24,530 to $31,860
Deal: $1,000 rebate, 2.4 – 4.9 percent financing
Expires: 5/31/06
NHTSA: Frontal impact – five stars driver and passenger; Side impact - five stars front and back; Rollover – four stars, 2wd and 4wd.
IIHS: Frontal offset – Good; Side impact – not tested
MPG (combined): 24
It seems strange that many of the most fuel efficient vehicles also tend to be the most plain. Indeed, often the best vehicles are also the ones that lack verve and racy good looks, as if the great car fairy in the sky hands out either appeal, or dependability -- and never both.
Such is life as a Highlander. Call it the silent assassin, for the Toyota Highlander has, for years, smothered the hopes of more exciting SUVs that have not quite lived up to its reliable reputation. It’s the perpetual best buy, the smart deal for SUV owners who want something that will last 10 years, that’s not too big, not too small – but just right for many, many people. Of course, there are those who prefer more style, those who prefer a little more verve than the Highlander offers. The Highlander wins its share of buyers, however, year after year. For the 2006 model, you can expect modest looks, a capable powertrain, a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder that achieves 24 combined miles per gallon (four-cylinder) and makes 155-horsepower. There’s also a V6, if fuel economy is not such an issue. Through the month of May, the Highlander also comes with a $1,000 rebate, or special financing. That's a decent deal on a sensible SUV that gets above average gas mileage.
Photos courtesy of the automakers
