New Car Rebates and Incentives: February 16, 2012

The month is almost over but there are still a few weeks left in this leap year-extended February to take advantage of the current batch of rebates and incentives available on new cars and new trucks. Our most recent list begins with the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse full-size crossover, which is advertised with the choice of either zero percent financing plus $500 cash back or $2,000 in factory cash rebates, followed by the 2012 Lincoln MKT full-size crossover's zero percent financing or $1,000 cash back offer. The 2012 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan features $3,000 in cash rebates or zero percent purchase financing, while the 2012 Toyota RAV4 compact crossover enjoys a pair of incentives (zero percent financing or $500 cash back). The 2012 Nissan Maxima full-size sedan is the final vehicle in this week's roundup, and it comes with a zero percent financing offer or $1,500 in available cash back.

Remember to watch this space as we continue to scour available rebates and incentives to bring you the best bargains offered on a wide range of new vehicles.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is a hefty full-size crossover that is meant to steal sales away from both minivans and traditional truck-based SUVs. The Chevrolet Traverse features both the passenger capacity (up to eight) and cargo hauling capability (116 cubic feet) to be a legitimate threat to both classes of vehicle, and it also offers a maximum tow rating of 5,200 lbs.

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 as its only available engine. Rated at 281 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque (with an additional seven ponies and four lb-ft available through the LTZ trim's dual exhaust), the unit is also good for fuel mileage figures of 17 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the Traverse and all-wheel drive is available as an option.

There is a financing incentive of zero percent interest plus $500 or $2,000 cash back on the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse available until 02/29/2012.

2012 Lincoln MKT

The 2012 Lincoln MKT is a full-size luxury crossover that offers arresting styling and a significant helping of high tech wizardry to go with its seven passenger seating and 76 cubic feet of total storage space. The Lincoln MKT can be had with advanced safety gear such as a collision warning system that features brake pre-charging, adaptive cruise control, the SYNC vehicle interface and an automatic parallel parking system.

The 2012 Lincoln MKT starts out with a 3.7-liter V-6 under the hood that is good for 268 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed transmission sends this output to either the front or all four wheels (if optional all-wheel drive is selected), and fuel economy checks in at 17 miles per gallon city and 23 miles per gallon highway. The MKT EcoBoost offers a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that develops 355 horsepower 350 lb-ft of torque, and despite standard all-wheel drive (and maintaining the same auto gearbox as the base model) it manages fuel mileage of 16 miles per gallon around town and 21 miles per gallon during highway cruising.

There is a financing incentive of zero percent interest or $1,000 cash back on the 2012 Lincoln MKT available until 04/02/2012.

2012 Chrysler 200

The 2012 Chrysler 200 is a mid-size sedan that mixes premium equipment with a reasonably affordable MSRP. The Chrysler 200 comes in four different trim levels - LX, Touring, Limited and S - with the latter including equipment such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats and automatic climate control.

The 2012 Chrysler 200 makes use of a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder as its base motor. Capable of generating 173 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque, this mill returns fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in city driving and 31 miles per gallon on the highway when matched with a six-speed automatic gearbox. A four-speed auto is also available with the four-cylinder. Upgrading to the 200's optional 3.6-liter V-6 brings with it 283 horses and 260 lb-ft of torque and makes the six-speed automatic standard. Fuel mileage for the larger engine shows as 19 miles per gallon around town and 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of zero percent interest or $3,000 cash back on the 2012 Chrysler 200 available until 02/29/2012.

2012 Toyota RAV4

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is all-new for the current model year and it continues to provide the same versatility and efficiency that have made it a perennial favorite amongst compact SUV shoppers. The Toyota RAV4 comes with an available third row of seating (increasing capacity to seven) as well as 73 cubic feet of total space for hauling gear.

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is equipped with a 179 horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor right out of the box. Also capable of generating 172 lb-ft of torque, fuel mileage for the entry-level engine is rated at 22 miles per gallon city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. A four-speed automatic transmission handles the gear shifting duties for the four-cylinder, and all-wheel drive can be added as an option. The RAV4 is also offered with a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 269 ponies and 246 lb-ft of twist. A five-speed automatic transmission helps this unit deliver fuel economy figures of 19 miles per gallon city and 27 miles per gallon highway, and all-wheel drive remains available.

There is a financing incentive of zero percent interest or $500 cash back on the 2012 Toyota RAV4 available until 03/05/2012.

2012 Nissan Maxima

The 2012 Nissan Maxima puts a smile on the face of full-size sedan shoppers thanks to better-than-average driving dynamics and a surprisingly long list of available luxury equipment. The Nissan Maxima can boast a well-tuned chassis that balances comfort and handling as well as the availability of features such as a navigation system that responds to voice commands and heated leather seats.

The 2012 Nissan Maxima is motivated exclusively by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that has been tuned to provide 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. A continuously-variable automatic transmission takes care of managing the six-cylinder's output, and fuel economy for the sedan shows as 19 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of zero percent interest or $1,500 cash back on the 2012 Nissan Maxima available until 02/29/2012.