Year-End Deal Reality Check: Chevrolet

As the year comes to an end, Chevrolet is offering some unique deals on select models, including no-money-down leases or financing that defers the first monthly payment for a few months.

Special deals are available to shoppers of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, Traverse and Impala (LS trim only). All three have attractive 0% financing with the option of having no monthly payments until the spring, according to Chevy.

Well-qualified shoppers can get 0% to 3.9% financing for 60 months, depending on the model. The new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and popular Cruze have 2.9% financing deals for 60 months. The soon-to-be-defunct Impala has $3,000 cash on the hood; so does the 2012 Chevy Avalanche. You can take off $2,000 on a new 2012 Traverse, while the hot-selling 2012 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban have only $1,500 on the hood.

The deals are even more attractive for those looking to lease a new Chevy. Under the Sign & Drive program, you can lease a new 2012 Cruze ($199 a month), Malibu ($229 a month), Traverse ($299 a month) or Silverado ($381 a month for All Star Edition trims) for no money down with 39-month and 39,000-mile terms.

All current Chevy deals end Jan. 3. For more information, go here.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox impressed Cars.com Family reviewer Courtney Messenbaugh with its good looks both inside and out. While she appreciated its spacious cabin with sliding rear seats, she wasn’t surprised when this five-seat crossover couldn’t handle her three child-safety seats.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox Review

2012 Chevrolet Equinox: What's New

For the 2012 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox gets the same new safety and multimedia options first seen in the 2012 GMC Terrain, including a new lane mitigation system with all models now getting Bluetooth and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls as standard.

The majority of models, including the 1LT, 2LT and LTZ, now come with a standard touch-screen multimedia system. GM's new MyLink system, a voice-activated multimedia interface that can integrate with the driver’s smartphone, is available as an option on the LTZ trim only. You can learn more about MyLink here.

There’s a new more-affordable touch-screen navigation system, too, that comes with an SD card over the former DVD and 40-gigabyte hard-drive-based system found on the 2011 model. The system is a $795 option on the 2LT and LTZ trim. On the 2011 model, navigation was bundled into a $2,145 option package. A more frugal nav system has found its way on the 2012 Chevy Cruze, too.

Recall Alert: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and 2012 GMC Terrain

GM is recalling 33,964 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs from the 2012 model year because the tire pressure monitoring system doesn’t meet federal standards, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects Equinoxes and Terrains built from July 18 through Sept. 6. Your car’s build date can be found on a sticker affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.

The system is designed to illuminate the tire pressure warning light when the pressure in a tire is 25% below the recommended cold tire pressure. On the recalled SUVs, the warning light won’t illuminate until the tire pressure is more than 25% below the recommended cold tire pressure. An underflated tire can cause tire overloading and overheating, leading to a blowout and possible crash. Underinflated tires also can result in premature or irregular wear, poor handling and poor fuel economy.

The recall is expected to begin this month. GM dealers will update the body control module free of charge. For more info, affected owners can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463 or NHTSA’s safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Podcast: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 2012 Volkswagen GLI, 2012 Volkswagen Golf R

We have a lot of Volkswagens on the menu this week for the Cars.com podcast. After partaking in a recent VW event, Cars.com senior editor David Thomas talks about testing the upcoming redesigned Beetle and sporty variants of the Jetta and Golf (GLI and R, respectively) with editors Joe Wiesenfelder and Joe Bruzek. They also discuss the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox in its top-of-the-line LTZ trim, which is an old favorite with our editorial team.

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Extreme Commuting in the 2011 Audi TT, 2011 Chevy Equinox, 2012 Dodge Charger R/T

More often than not, buyers of all-wheel-drive cars and SUVs must deal with worse gas mileage compared with their two-wheel-drive counterparts. The 2011 Audi TT now only comes with all-wheel drive — a front-wheel-drive option was eliminated for 2010 — but its gas mileage is still respectable at 22/31 mpg city/highway. Along with the TT, we put all-wheel-drive versions of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox with its four-cylinder base engine and 2011 Dodge Charger R/T with a healthy V-8 through our heavy Chicago commute.
 
The TT makes an interesting case as a commuter car.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox

It’s been two years since we initially tested the Chevrolet Equinox. Since then, we’ve seen many more redesigned models competing against the Chevy, but it’s hard to beat the value you get with the Equinox, Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek says. It’s important to note, though, that pricey feature packages and options can diminish that value proposition quickly.

2011 Chevrolet Equinox Review

How Much Cargo Can The 2011 Chevy Equinox Hold?

Despite its large exterior footprint, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox can feel a little cramped, according to Cars.com editor Joe Bruzek. In this video, Bruzek has a few nifty tricks to share on how to maximize the Equinox’s limited space.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Cuts Navi Cost by 50%, Now $995

As we reported earlier, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze gets a new navigation system for the model year. We confirmed today that the system will cost $995, about 50% less than the $1,995 optional navigation system offered on the 2011 Cruze.

The system sports a new 7-inch touch-screen with better resolution, but you can still use the rotary controls, Chevrolet spokeswoman Lesley Hettinger said. The system in the 2011 Cruze wasn’t touch-based, and it could be controlled only with the center console controls.

The new system ditches the 10-gigabyte hard drive; an SD card slot replaces it. The absence of the hard drive means the 2012 Cruze loses its ability to pause and play radio stations and record music off CDs, MP3 players and smartphones.

Incentives Diet: Buy This, Not That

New-car incentives are hard to come by these days. Gone are the big lumps of cash back teamed to low financing offers. Even low financing deals are harder to come by as new models and fuel-efficient cars are in high demand.

Are there deals to be had out there? Yes, but it takes more digging and creative thinking.

We’ve taken three pairs of cars that highlight this issue. One is a relative bargain with its pure sticker price versus the other while still packing similar features. All are Cars.com Best Bets except the 2012 Ford Focus, which is too new to be considered for the nod.

All the trim levels we picked for these comparisons needed to include an automatic transmission; air conditioning; power locks, windows and side mirrors; keyless entry; cruise control; Bluetooth connectivity; a USB port; and electronic stability control. MSRP prices include destination charges.

Do the bargain choices always win out? Or do high-demand models cost more no matter the sticker price?

2011 Kia Forte EX vs. 2012 Ford Focus SE Sedan
The Forte debuted a few years ago and was a very well-rounded contender in the compact class. You get a lot for your money, and it was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Focus is all new — joining tougher competition like the Chevy Cruze and Hyundai Elantra — and rides and handles better than the Forte, but it’s also more expensive similarly equipped.

The Focus is in hot demand. In April, it was the second-fastest-selling car on our Movers & Losers list, taking just seven days to sell after hitting a dealer lot. The Forte sold at a respectable 39-day rate, well below the average of 48 days. Still, that worn luster gives the Forte the edge in terms of financing that will save buyers an additional $1,262.44 in addition to the lower sticker price. The Focus hatchback is pictured above, not the sedan. All pricing and equipment mentioned is for the Focus SE sedan.