Maybe you were too busy to go car shopping, or maybe the dealerships were too busy to deal with your trade-in. Either way, you still need a new car and dealers are probably more eager to sell you one this month than they were last month. That means there are plenty of incentives to be found and deals to be made. For September, we've found ten vehicles whose EPA fuel estimates would have qualified them for Cash for Clunkers vouchers if the program were still running. In some instances the incentive is listed as marketing support, which means the factory pays that money to the dealer if they sell a car. If you know about this incentive, the dealer might be willing to give up most or even all of that cash to sell the car. So check out our latest Smart Deals and don't fret that you missed out on Cash for Clunkers – your used car is probably worth more than a $4,500 voucher anyway!
Page 22009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Base MSRP: $73,135
Engine: 6.0-liter V8 with 332 hp
MPG: 20 city/21 hwy/20 cmb
Incentive: $3,500 customer cash or 0% APR financing
Expires: 9/30/09
If you've always wanted to roll like a pro athlete and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil at the same time, the Escalade Hybrid is the only way to do it. With an EPA combined 20 mpg, the Hybrid has the same ultra-indulgent interior full of high-quality materials and technological gadgets as the gas-powered models, and power to spare from its 6.0-liter V8 engine. Two 60-kilowatt motors help power it at low speeds in city driving. It's also quite a capable tow vehicle and can seat up to eight passengers. While the price is high, the cash incentive is pretty generous, and those who qualify for 0% APR financing through GM's bank could save significantly more than $3,500.
Page 22009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Base MSRP: $25,555
Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 164 hp
MPG: 26 city/34 hwy/29 cmb
Incentive: $1,000 customer cash or 0% APR financing for 12, 36 or 48 mo.
Expires: 9/30/09
More and more, hybrids are on people's shopping lists. Considered a “mild” hybrid, the Malibu Hybrid is one of the lesser-known options on the market. Costing less than its competitors, it doesn't rack up as many mpg around town because it never runs solely on an electric motor. But it does get great highway mileage, a factor more important to people spending most of their commute cruising down the freeway. And a classy, quiet interior will no doubt make for a pleasant drive. With a $1,000 incentive, the Malibu Hybrid should come in about $2,000 cheaper than the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid shown.
Page 22009 Ford Escape Hybrid
Base MSRP: $29,645
Base Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 153 hp
Base MPG: 34 city/31 hwy/32 cmb
Incentive: $1,000 customer cash
Expires: 10/05/09
A compact SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid gets excellent fuel economy while providing all the benefits that drew the masses to SUVs in the first place. It was the first hybrid SUV on the market and remains the most fuel efficient with an EPA estimated 34 city/31 hwy mpg. Perhaps surprisingly, acceleration is brisk, feeling more like a V6 than a four-cylinder, and the Escape Hybrid offers a good balance between ride and handling. The 2009 model is also the first to offer Ford's Sync voice-interface system. Already cheaper than its less-polished competitors, an extra $1,000 makes this hybrid a pretty good buy.
Page 22009 Hyundai Santa Fe
Base MSRP: $21,695
Base Engine: 2.7-liter V6 with 185 hp
Base MPG: 18 city/24 hwy/20 cmb
Incentive: $2,000 customer cash plus $1,000 trade-in bonus
Expires: 09/30/09
By all accounts, the Hyundai Santa Fe is already a fantastic value. It's packed with standard features, including alloy wheels, keyless entry, cruise control, power accessories and satellite radio. The quality interior belies its price. All the big options are available, like third-row seats, rear climate controls, navigation, Infinity audio, Bluetooth, and all-wheel drive. It's even an IIHS 2009 Top Safety Pick. So with $2,000 cash back and an extra $1,000 if you still have a clunker (or any used car, for that matter) to trade in, you'll be able to afford a road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico in your new Santa Fe.
Page 22010 Kia Soul
Base MSRP: $13,300
Base Engine: 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 122 hp
Base MPG: 26 city/31 hwy/28 cmb
Incentive: 0% APR financing for 24-36 mo. w/ Kia's finance company
Expires: 09/30/09
This funky new member of the box-on-wheels club starts at an amazingly low price and features Kia's famously long warranty. As if those aren't reasons enough to check one out, the Soul actually gives off more attitude than all of Kia's previous offerings combined. Fun trim and color names, slightly outrageous interior combinations, a plethora of standard equipment and plenty of desirable options combine with surprisingly ample space and good drive dynamics to make the Kia Soul a compelling competitor to the established Scion xB. And with 0% APR financing available, you won't have to sell your soul to get one of Kia's.
Page 22009 Mazda MAZDA6
Base MSRP: $18,550
Base Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 170 hp
Base MPG: 21 city/30 hwy/24 cmb
Incentive: $2,000 customer cash or 0% APR financing for 36 mo. w/ Mazda's finance company
Expires: 09/30/09
As family sedans go, the first Mazda 6 was largely overlooked by consumers. Newly designed for the 2009 model year, Mazda hopes to change all that with the second generation 6. An expansive cabin, cavernous trunk, fresh styling and sportier-than-most handling should put it right in contention with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima – especially for the driving enthusiast. Mazda offers seven trim levels with a variety of equipment and choice of an efficient 170-hp 4-cylinder or a very powerful 272-hp V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is available on the 4-cylinder models, to the joy of car nuts everywhere.
Page 22009 Mercedes-Benz E320 BlueTEC
Base MSRP: $54,200
Engine: 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 210 hp
MPG: 23 city/32 hwy/26 cmb
Incentive: $10,000 marketing support
Expires: 09/30/09
“Wow!” was all we could say when we saw this one. The E320 BlueTec is the sole midsize luxury sedan in the U.S. to employ a diesel engine, and lovers of luxury who may also appreciate a little tree-hugging shouldn't pass up this whopping $10,000 bargaining chip on Mercedes' most fuel efficient vehicle. Its 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 makes 210 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, which is good for 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds. Elegant two-tone upholstery with soft surfaces and pin tucked leather will remind you that this is no ordinary diesel. This deal may be tough to find, as the all-new 2010 E-Class is already on the lots and diesels are pretty hard to come by in the first place.
Mercedes-Benz E350 shown.
Page 22009 Pontiac G6
Base MSRP: $19,275
Base Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 164 hp
Base MPG: 22 city/30 hwy/25 cmb
Incentive: $3,500 customer cash and $500 marketing support
Expires: 09/30/09
With a huge variety of G6 models available – coupes, convertibles and sedans – there's bound to be something for everyone. That is, if you can find what you want. GM's discontinuation of the Pontiac nameplate means inventory will be dwindling, but there will be deals to be had, and GM has promised they will continue to service Pontiac vehicles at their other dealerships. Offering attractive styling, good gas mileage on models with 6-speed automatics and a power retractable hardtop on the G6 convertible, $3,500 cash back makes any G6 a tempting buy.
Page 22009 Scion xD
Base MSRP: $15,450
Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder with 128 hp
Base MPG: 27 city/33 hwy/29 cmb
Incentive: $229/mo. lease for 36 mo. with $879 due at signing
Expires: 09/30/09
Toyota reliability with a punk-rock personality. More uncommon than its tC and xB brethren, the xD has its own unique style and an equally extensive list of cool standard and optional features. Great fuel economy, build quality and a nice ride are only the beginning. Scion offers an integrated navigation system on the xD , not to mention a standard iPod port that allows the head unit to charge and control it. And of course there are a ton of dealer-installed appearance options if you feel like spicing up your ride.
Page 22009 Subaru Outback
Base MSRP: $22,295
Base Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 170 hp
Base MPG: 20 city/27 hwy/ 22 cmb
Incentive: $2,000-$3,000 customer cash
Expires: 09/30/09
Is it a wagon, or is it an SUV? Whatever it is, many people find the Subaru Outback is just right. It makes an excellent off-road vehicle – even better than some SUVs – and it handles and drives more like a car than any SUV. Though it comes from humble beginnings, the Outback is now quite upscale inside and features three available engines. Full-time all-wheel drive and top safety ratings make it extremely popular in areas with inclement weather. Fall is fast approaching and winter soon after, so if you've wanted a capable year-round car, now is your time to buy. An all-new 2010 Outback is due soon, so dealers will be looking to clear out '09 stock. Subaru is offering an additional $1,000 on models with navigation, for a total of $3,000 cash back.
.jpg "Introduction")
.jpg "Page 2")
.jpg "Page 2")
.jpg "Page 2")
.jpg "Page 2")
_(544x408).jpg "Page 2")
.jpg "Page 2")
.jpg "Page 2")
.jpg "Page 2")
.jpg "Page 2")
