New Car Rebates and Incentives: October 12, 2012

October's chill hasn't extinguished the hot deals that continue to roll in from a mix of different new car and new truck manufacturers. This week's rebates and incentives roundup kicks off with the 2013 Dodge Journey mid-size crossover and its offer of zero percent financing plus $1,000 in cash back or $2,000 in total cash back, followed closely by the $2,000 in factory cash rebates that can be found on the 2013 Ford Explorer mid-size crossover. The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback compact hatchback features 0.0% financing or $1,000 in cash back, while the 2013 Kia Sorento mid-size crossover can be had with the choice of either 0.9% purchase financing or a $1,000 cash rebate. The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan ties our list together with its generous offer of 0.0% financing plus $500 cash back or $2,750 in total cash back.

We'll be back next week with another look at the most appealing bargains to be had on brand new vehicles across the country.

2013 Dodge Journey

The 2013 Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover that blends the strong utility of a van with the more pleasing lines of a crossover.  It also doesn't hurt that the Dodge Journey (which can seat up to seven passengers and transport as much as 68 cubic feet of cargo) also offers a more compliant, comfortable ride than a typical van.

The 2013 Dodge Journey starts out with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine under the hood that is good for 173 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque.  Fuel mileage for this engine, which is paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, checks in at 19-mpg city and 26-mpg highway.  Higher Journey trim levels are outfitted with a 283 horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6.  Also capable of generating 260 lb-ft of torque, this unit turns in fuel efficiency figures of 17-mpg around town and 25-mpg on the highway.  A six-speed automatic is standard with the V-6, and all-wheel drive can be added as an option.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% plus $1,000 cash back or $2,000 total cash back on the 2013 Dodge Journey available until 10/31/2012.

2013 Ford Explorer

The 2013 Ford Explorer is designed to offer SUV shoppers a large, mid-size crossover alternative that is good on gas while still providing the seven passenger seating that many families require.  The Ford Explorer also makes 80 cubic feet of total cargo space available with the rear rows of accommodations folded forward.

The 2013 Ford Explorer is sold with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine under the hood that is good for 290 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque.  A six-speed automatic transmission handles the gear shifting duties for this motor, and fuel mileage is listed at 18-mpg city and 25-mpg highway.  Moving up to the Sport trim introduces an EcoBoost edition of this same engine, which makes use of turbocharging in order to squeeze out 365 horses and 360 lb-ft of torque while posting fuel mileage just two and three miles per gallon lower for each respective measure.  It's also possible to order a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that delivers 240 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of twist while returning 20-mpg in city driving and 28-mpg on the highway.  As with the base V-6, a six-speed autobox is standard with each EcoBoost mill, while all-wheel drive can be ordered with all but the four-cylinder drivetrain.

There is an incentive of $2,000 cash back on the 2013 Ford Explorer available until 01/02/2012.

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback appeals to compact car shoppers who are looking for the extra cargo space that a hatchback has to offer. Based on the same bones as the Lancer sedan, which has been lauded for its sharp handling, the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback grafts on an extended rear compartment that all-told can handle as much as 52.7 cubic feet of gear.

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback makes a pair of four-cylinder engines available to buyers. The entry-level 2.0-liter is rated at 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, and it provides fuel mileage of 24-mpg in stop and go driving and 32-mpg on the highway. The 2.4-liter found in the GT trim level generates a heftier 168 ponies and 167 lb-ft of torque while dropping fuel efficiency to 22-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. Each engine comes with a continuously-variable automatic transmission.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% or $1,000 cash back on the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback available until 10/31/2012.

2013 Kia Sorento

The 2013 Kia Sorento is a value-focused mid-size crossover that competes hard on price without sacrificing too many of the features that those seeking a high capacity people mover have come to demand.  The Kia Sorento is notable for its available seven passenger seating, and it can also handle 72.5 cubic feet of cargo with its rear rows out of the picture.

The 2013 Kia Sorento debuts with a modest 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood.  Good for 175 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque, the unit also returns fuel mileage of 21-mpg city and 29-mpg highway.  A more robust version of this same motor can be had in mid-level trims, where the introduction of direct fuel injection pushes output to 191 horses and 181 lb-ft of torque while improving fuel economy to 22-mpg around town and 32-mpg city.  The Sorento SX comes standard with a 276 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 that also generates 248 lb-ft of torque while providing fuel efficiency figures of 20-mpg city and 26-mpg during highway cruising.  A six-speed automatic transmission is included free of charge with each mill, and all-wheel drive can be ordered as an option across the board.

There is a financing incentive of 0.9% or $1,000 cash back on the 2013 Kia Sorento available until 10/31/2012.

2012 Chrysler Town & Country

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country is the latest iteration of the popular minivan that helped to originally define the segment.  Targeted at upscale family shoppers who need copious amounts of passenger room (up to eight) and cargo space (as much as 143.8 cubic feet in total), the Chrysler Town & Country's Stow 'n Go seating makes it easy to reconfigure its well turned-out cabin.

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country comes with a single engine choice - a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that is tuned to provide 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.  A six-speed automatic transmission is charged with managing this motor's output, and fuel economy for the minivan is listed at 17-mpg around town and 25-mpg on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% plus $500 cash back or $2,750 total cash back on the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country available until 10/31/2012.