5 of the best June deals on SUVs
Summer holiday weekends typically are some of the best times for finding discounts on new cars. Kelley Blue Book has just come out with its list of the best deals on SUVs for the rest of June and through the Fourth of July weekend.
With SUV sales at record levels, Kelley analysts focused on deals ranging from small subcompact SUVS up to large models. "Shoppers looking for more cargo flexibility, added ground clearance or just a better view of the road ahead will find a variety of options on this list," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst for kbb.com.
Lower gasoline prices and SUVs' versatility have led numerous buyers to choose small SUVs instead of midsize sedans, displacing those sedans as the largest-selling category.
Here's a closer look at five of the Kelley Blue Book lease and cash-back deals. Most are subcompact or compact SUVs, but for families who need to haul more people, one of our featured deals -- the Buick Enclave -- has three rows of seating handling seven people. Prices cited are the Kelley Blue Book fair purchase price, the average selling price.
Buick Enclave
The promotional lease deal on the Enclave is $349 a month for 39 months with $2,968 due at signing. The Enclave is ranked No. 1 among large SUVs, according to reviewers surveyed by U.S. News.
These test drivers appreciate the Enclave's comfortable, quiet ride and elegant interior. In fact, they say the interior measures up well against much more expensive, luxury SUVs from Audi and Infiniti.
Gas mileage is rated for 15 MPG in city driving and 22 on the highway. List price for the entry-level model is $39,990, and the Kelley average selling price is $37,683.
Kia Sorento
The lease offer for the Sorento is $239 a month for 36 months with $1,999 due at signing.
A midsize SUV, the Sorento garners praise for its comfortable interior and technology features. Test drivers also appreciated Sorento's great forward visibility. This SUV has excellent safety and reliability ratings.
Like all Kias, it features a 10-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Gas mileage on the Sorento is rated for 23 MPG city, 29 highway.
List price on the base Sorento starts at $27,296. The Kelley average selling price is $25,892.
Chevrolet Trax
General Motors' lease offer on the Trax is for $199 a month for 39 months with $1,619 due at signing.
The Trax is part of a relatively new category of subcompact SUVs. With its small size, the Trax gets praise for its maneuverability and easy parking in urban driving. Critics also like its roomy seats and competitive gas mileage, rated at 26 in city driving, 34 on the highway.
List price for the version of the Trax cited is $23,450, and the Kelley fair purchase price is $22,483.
Jeep Renegade
The promotional deal to buy a Renegade is a combination of zero percent financing and $1,000 cash back if you have a strong credit rating.
The Renegade is the most stylish and fun to drive of the subcompact SUVs. Reviewers also praise the cabin's design and upscale materials. Being a Jeep, it can let you slog through mud or take rocky trails if equipped with four-wheel drive.
For that outdoor fun, you do take some fuel economy penalty, with the four-wheel-drive version rated 24 MPG in city driving, 34 on the highway. The list price cited by Kelley is $22,390, with an average selling price of $21,295.
Jeep Cherokee
This compact SUV -- one class larger that the Renegade -- is the cash-back champ of this list, with a $3,500 rebate being offered.
The Cherokee is praised for its off-road ability and comfortable highway ride. Reviewers say the optional V-6 engine provides much-improved power on the highway or on an off-road trail. The base four-cylinder version is rated for 22 MPG city, 31 highway. Adding the V-6 engine and four-wheel drive brings that rating down to 20 MPG city, 28 highway.
List price for the Cherokee ranges widely from $23,495 to $38,395 with all special options to help in off-roading. The Kelley fair purchase price on the version cited is $24,752.