Best End-of-the-Year Car Deals

CR can help you drive off with significant savings this holiday season

2021 Dodge Charger GT AWD FCA US LLC

As the end of the year approaches, great car deals are available now. New car shoppers will see significant rebates and more wiggle room in negotiations as automakers and dealers try to clear showrooms and reach 2020 sales goals.

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Consumer Reports’ analysts looked through national incentives to help holiday car shoppers. We found many models offering significant savings, but to make sure the featured cars represent smart buys, we concentrated on models with a strong Overall Score, factoring road-test performance, owner satisfaction, reliability, and safety. (Learn more about CR car ratings.)

Among these good cars, we found 2021 models that can be had with projected savings of up to 16 percent off the original window sticker price. In general, the deals are a hint better this year. However, it is a strange year, with myriad pandemic-related factors at play that are affecting supply and pricing. More than ever, it pays to do your research. There may be two models, for instance, that meet your needs, with one being on deep discount and the other selling for sticker price.

Ultimately, local supply and demand will influence how much a dealer is willing to bend on price.

In the final hours of the year, dealerships may be especially motivated to negotiate in order to reach monthly and annual sales targets, which are typically rewarded by the automaker. Armed with all the information available on our model pages, you can definitely get a great deal now.

See all current Best New Car Deals, or use our dynamic ratings chart to create your own list of vehicles by sorting and filtering by the factors that matter most to you.

All nationwide incentives featured here are good until Jan. 4, 2021. The vehicles are listed in order of percentage of potential savings off the sticker price. Similar discounts can be found on other versions in addition to those spotlighted.

There are also great deals of 11 percent or more off other recommended 2021 models, including the Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Highlander, and Toyota Supra.

And there are likely to be regional deals that outshine these national offerings. They can be found through our Build & Buy Car Buying Service.

Detailed pricing information and complete ratings are available on all current vehicles from their respective model pages, linked below.

Shop CR's Car Buying Service From Home

The Consumer Reports Build & Buy Car Buying Service is evolving to face the challenges during the pandemic. Our service allows you to access a nationwide network of more than 16,000 dealers to provide up-front pricing information and a certificate to receive guaranteed savings off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

A growing number of dealerships in the network are part of a Buy From Home program, which allows buyers to complete the buying process without going to a dealership. Participating dealerships take you through the paperwork remotely and deliver a sanitized vehicle right to your home, all at a fair price. Those dealers have a special banner on the site that says “Buy from Home: Have your vehicle delivered to you and complete your paperwork at home.”

Chevrolet Bolt: 16% Off

Chevrolet Equinox: 16% Off

Toyota Avalon: 15% Off

Buick Encore: 15% Off

Toyota Corolla: 14% Off

Kia Sportage: 14% Off

Hyundai Kona: 13% Off

Dodge Charger: 12% Off

Kia Stinger: 12% Off

Nissan Altima: 12% Off

Tips for Buying a New Car

There are a lot of things to consider when buying a new car. On the “Consumer 101” TV show, Consumer Reports expert Kelly Funkhouser explains to host Jack Rico what to look for before taking a test drive.

Jeff S. Bartlett

A New England native, I have piloted a wide variety of vehicles, from a Segway to an aircraft carrier. All told, I have driven thousands of vehicles—many on race tracks across the globe. Today, that experience and passion are harnessed at the CR Auto Test Center to empower consumers. And if some tires must be sacrificed in the pursuit of truth, so be it. Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSBartlett).

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