Best new car deals for SUVs

Consumer Reports News: December 18, 2012 01:08 PM

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We're in the last days of 2012, a period traditionally considered to be great time to buy a new car and take advantage of manufacturer incentives and rebates. Our recent pricing analysis shows that deals can vary, but we have identified the best savings on winter-ready SUVs.

Typically, dealers are anxious to sell what they can now because the winter months are often their slowest season. Plus, automakers are hoping to close the year with strong sales. These factors put the car buyer in a good position to negotiate and come out with a great deal on a good car.

For our December deals, we looked at SUVs because their utility and all-wheel-drive make them an appealing choice for navigating the roads during the winter season, plus they have plenty of room for loading up the ski equipment.

Models listed offer between 5 and 15 percent off MSRP and dealers may be interested in negotiating further to clear the floor and make room for the 2013s. Before negotiating for any new car, shoppers should check our detailed pricing for local deals, rebates, and hidden direct-to-dealer incentives. (Learn more about car pricing.)

The models listed below are just a few of our Best New Car Deals, meaning they offer notable discounts on models that meet Consumer Reports' criteria to be recommended. These vehicles scored well in our testing, had average or better reliability in our subscriber survey, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated.

See our full list of deals on 2012 and some 2013 models.

Make & model	Expires	MSRP	Invoice price	Customer rebate	Dealer incentive	Bottom line price	Potential savings below MSRP
2012 Acura MDX	1/2/13	$43,925	$40,758	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2013 Chevrolet Equinox	1/2/13	28,410	27,033	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	5%+
2012 Chevrolet Traverse	1/2/13	35,585	33,847	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2013 Dodge Durango	1/2/13	38,090	36,057	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2012 Ford Flex	1/2/13	34,775	32,530	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2012 GMC Terrain	1/2/13	31,085	29,572	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	5%+
2012 GMC Yukon XL	1/2/13	51,520	47,983	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2012 Infiniti QX56	1/2/13	64,090	59,379	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee	1/2/13	30,690	30,169	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	5%+
2013 Kia Sorento	1/7/12	26,150	25,295	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2012 Mazda CX-9	1/2/13	35,920	34,025	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	15%+
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander	1/2/13	25,655	24,606	Yes	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2012 Nissan Juke	1/2/13	24,540	23,301	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2012 Nissan Rogue	1/2/13	30,535	28,507	Yes	No	Get the Bottom Line Price	10%+
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan	1/2/13	36,750	35,312	No	Yes	Get the Bottom Line Price	5%+

Online subscribers are eligible for hassle-free shopping and low prices through the Consumer Reports Build & Buy program. Unlike traditional car buying, there is no pressure or obligation to purchase. Participating dealers are held to high standards of competitive pricing and customer service. Simply click the "Build & Buy This Car" button that appears on the vehicle's model overview page to access the program.

See all current Best Deals. Complete pricing, road tests, and ratings for these models, and many more, can be readily accessed via our simple A-to-Z directory.
Check out the cars coming down the road in our New Car Preview.

—Liza Barth