New Car Rebates and Incentives: May 10, 2012

As May moves forward so do the rebates and incentives being offered by major automakers on a wide range of new cars and trucks.  Kicking off this week's look at the best bargains currently available on the new vehicle market is the 2012 Lincoln MKZ mid-size sedan, which features a zero percent financing plus $1,000 cash back offer or the choice of $3,000 in total cash back.  Following the MKZ is the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder mid-size SUV, which posts a 0.0% financing or $2,500 cash back deal, and the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse full-size crossover with its option of either zero percent purchase financing or $2,000 in factory cash rebates.  The full-size 2012 Ford Flex crossover features a compelling mix of 0.0% financing plus $1,750 cash back or the choice of a hefty $3,250 in total cash back, while the 2012 Kia Sedona minivan ties up the list thanks to a 1.9% financing offer or the option of $2,500 in cash rebates.

May is shaping up to deliver an excellent field of new car bargains and deals, and we'll be back next week with another look at which rebates and incentives are worth investigating for shoppers looking to save some coin on their next vehicle purchase.

2012 Lincoln MKZ

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ is a mid-size luxury sedan that features conservative styling, an extremely well-appointed interior and an extensive list of standard equipment.  The Lincoln MKZ comes with heated and ventilated leather seats, the SYNC vehicle interface, dual automatic climate control and parking assistance free of charge, while features such as a navigation system, a blind spot monitor, surround sound and a sunroof can all be ordered as options.

The 2012 Lincoln MKZ is motivated by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that is rated at 263 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque.  The MKZ is offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive editions, and a six-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties for the sedan.  Fuel economy for the Lincoln is rated at 18-mpg in city driving and 27-mpg on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest plus $1,000 cash back or $3,000 total cash back on the 2012 Lincoln MKZ available until 06/04/2012.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder represents the final model year for fans of the marque seeking a full-frame sport-utility vehicle that offers decent off-road performance and a substantial 6,000 lb towing capacity.  The Nissan Pathfinder (which has been completely redesigned for 2013) can accommodate up to seven passengers across three rows of seating, and it also offers 79 cubic feet of total cargo space.

The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder starts out with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine, and this unit is credited with delivering 266 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque along with fuel mileage of 15-mpg around town and 22-mpg during highway cruising.  More power is available in the form of a 5.6-liter V-8 that churns out 310 horses and 380 lb-ft of twist.  Opting for the eight-cylinder motor knocks efficiency numbers down to 13-mpg city and 18-mpg highway, and both engines come with a five-speed automatic transmission and the option of four-wheel drive.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $2,500 cash back on the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder available until 05/31/2012.

2012 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse is a full-size crossover that drives far more like a big family car than a hulking SUV.  The Chevrolet Traverse can swallow up to eight occupants, and with the last two rows of seating folded forward it also affords 116 cubic feet of room for stowing luggage and other gear - competitive with much larger sport-utility vehicles.

The 2012 Chevrolet Traverse comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that develops 281 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque - numbers that jump by seven ponies and four lb-ft of twist if the vehicle's available dual exhaust system is installed.  A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the Traverse, and all-wheel drive is optional.  Fuel mileage for the crossover is rated at 17-mpg around town and 24-mpg on the highway.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest or $2,000 cash back on the 2012 Chevrolet Traverse available until 07/02/2012.

2012 Ford Flex

The 2012 Ford Flex's slab sides and long, flat roof make it a standout amongst more anonymous full-size crossovers.  The Ford Flex provides seven passenger accommodations and up to 83 cubic feet of cargo space, and when ordered in EcoBoost trim it also comes with suspension tuning and steering that are intended to offer an engaging driving experience.

A 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 262 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque is the entry-level mill for the 2012 Ford Flex, and in front-wheel drive trim it returns fuel economy of 17-mpg city and 24-mpg highway.  The Flex EcoBoost introduces a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that is good for 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque while keeping fuel mileage at a very reasonable 16-mpg in city driving and 21-mpg during highway cruising.  A six-speed automatic transmission is included with either Flex model, and while all-wheel drive is optional for the base Flex it becomes standard for the EcoBoost edition.

There is a financing incentive of 0.0% interest plus $1,750 cash back or $3,250 cash back on the 2012 Ford Flex available until 05/31/2012.

2012 Kia Sedona

The 2012 Kia Sedona is a value-focused minivan that might not match the class leaders in terms of interior fit and finish or refinement but does deliver the kind of features and practicality that families are looking for.  The Kia Sedona can be counted on to haul as many as seven passengers, and with the rear rows out of the picture the van can also transport a respectable 141.5 cubic feet of cargo.

The 2012 Kia Sedona comes with V-6 power in the form of a 3.5-liter unit that produces 271 horses and 248 lb-ft of torque.  A six-speed automatic transmission is charged with routing that output to the vehicle's front wheels, and fuel mileage for the minivan shows as 18-mpg in stop and go driving and 25-mpg during highway driving.

There is a financing incentive of 1.9% interest or $2,500 cash back on the 2012 Kia Sedona available until 06/04/2012.