There are some hidden jewels out there—you just have to know where to look. And when you find it, you may be surprised how much help (meaning cash on the hood) you can get. Especially on some of the fullsize SUVs (some of whom have taken a huge hit with escalating fuel prices), there are quite a few highly motivated dealers and manufacturers willing to work to get you out the door in a new SUV. The deals are out there, but here are a few choices you might want to consider, broken down by price.
$20,000 range:
Jeep Liberty—a nice newly revised platform with some pretty cool optional features. With the sorting out and product planning Chrysler needs to figure out, Jeep dealers are going to great lengths to make a sale. We've heard about many well equipped vehicles on lots that have been price-reduced several times. Also look at the Subaru Forrester. Click here for more photos.
$30K range:
Dodge Durango—not the volume seller they were hoping for when the vehicle came out just a few short years ago from a significant redesign. Another brand that Chrysler has to get squared away in the next generation, which means the vehicle is prime for wheeling and dealing. Look for added dealer incentive programs in your local area that could take as much as $3000 off the rock-bottom price. Also look at the GMC Envoy or Chevy TrailBlazer. Click here for more photos.
$35K range:
Chevy Tahoe—with fuel prices up and big GM ad dollars going into the new GMC, Buick, and Saturn crossovers (Acadia, Enclave, and Outlook), the traditional fullsize SUVs are getting a bad rap and sales have dropped off a cliff. As a consequence, big dealer incentives are allowing buyers to get into these vehicles for great prices, but know the risks. Even if you get a stripped model with the base engine in 2WD, you're still going to be paying $80 to fill your tank. Also look at the M-B R-Class. Click here for more photos.
$40K range:
Lincoln Navigator—the unsung hero of the phat-daddy crowd (sorry for that), but also has taken a good hit during these economically challenging times. If this is what you've always wanted, this is the best time to get yourself into a non-Cadillac luxury SUV. And while Ford is trying to figure out what to do with Lincoln, there are some hefty paybacks on the hood and the dealers are hungry. Also look at the Ford Expedition. Click here for more photos.