Best Cash-Back Finds: 4.25.08

Cars.com launched its new, comprehensive rebate and incentives page earlier this month, but just having the raw figures isn’t always enough. Often there are some real gems getting a significant amount of money off that aren’t heavily advertised or thought about. This time out we’ve found some interesting deals on a pair of luxury nameplates, a brand-new model and a fuel-sipping compact. 

2009 Dodge Journey
MSRP: $19,360
Cash back: $1,000
Percent off MSRP: 5.2%    
Expires: 4/30
5-Year Ownership Costs

The new Dodge Journey was just released, and Dodge is hoping that by offering a small incentive, $1,000, folks will be more inclined to give it a shot. That’s because the Journey competes with the popular Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa Fe when equipped with two rows of seats, or the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander when equipped with the optional third row. Still, the Journey’s starting MSRP is significantly less than the competition, even before the $1,000 cash back.

Frugal Compacts Add Up with Basic Options

The compact car segment is no new place to find low base prices and a good deal on a new car. After having three major players in our hands over the past few weeks, including the 2009 Toyota Corolla, 2008 Honda Civic and 2008 Ford Focus sedans, we were scraping together specs and options to evaluate the competition. When we started to compare the cars, something surprised us. Mostly optional features that we think are necessary for a comfortable and safe daily driver — automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, keyless entry, power locks, antilock brakes, side airbags and a CD player — have a funny way of changing each car’s relative value.

Honda Still on Top in U.S., Says Consumer Reports

For the second year in a row, Consumer Reports has named Honda the automaker selling the best vehicles in the U.S., based on factors ranging from reliability to vehicle comfort.

Toyota and Subaru ranked second and third, followed by BMW, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. No domestic nameplate appeared on the list.

Up Close: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Hyundai's new Elantra Touring may not have the visual appeal of a Mazda3 hatchback, but it is reasonably sporty looking thanks to wraparound headlights and a large opening in the front bumper. Tall, thin taillights finish off the rear end.

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

• Competes with: Dodge Caliber, Toyota Matrix, Mazda3 hatchback
• Looks like: Hyundai’s typical boring design meets a compact hatchback
• Drivetrain: 141-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2008

Poor Canada often plays second fiddle to the U.S. when it comes to the automotive industry. Not all makes and models make it north of the border, but today Hyundai chose to debut its new Elantra Touring hatchback at the Montreal Auto Show.

We’ll know more specifics about standard and optional equipment for the U.S. later, but the standard equipment on the sedan — like four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, six airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system — should translate to the hatchback. Other features new to the Touring model are a USB input and standard auxiliary audio jack as well as a new center stack design.

Power still comes from the same four-cylinder engine, but for an economy car it isn’t completely anemic. There are more photos below, and we’ll have full U.S. standard equipment and pricing when the car makes its U.S. debut at the Chicago Auto Show.

Hyundai Elantra Touring Gets SEMA Treatment

Hyundai hasn’t officially unveiled the U.S. Spec Elantra Touring hatchback yet. Instead, it sent us images of a “concept” car it will show at the SEMA aftermarket show next week. The Elantra Touring Beach Cruiser has some questionable color combinations going on, but if your eyes can handle it, they’ll be able to see the actual consumer product that will arrive at dealerships in fall 2008. We also get a look at the interior and dash in the photos below.

Hyundai hasn’t said which auto show the production model will debut at, but it will arrive at one of the major shows over the next six months.

Related
Early Look at the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring (KickingTires)
Hyundai Adding Elantra Wagon in 2008 (KickingTires)

Early Look at the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

We first heard news that Hyundai would produce a hatchback version of its Elantra compact sedan back in April. Today, official word has come from Hyundai headquarters that there will indeed be a model called the Elantra Touring. It will debut for the 2009 model year, going on sale in the spring of 2008. The official unveiling will be at the L.A. Auto Show in November, but for now we have the sketch above.

Hyundai says the Elantra Touring will have the same four-cylinder engine found in the sedan, as well as improved handling and a sport suspension. It will also be the first hatchback with standard electronic stability control, and the company says it will have more interior room than the competition, including the Mazda3 and Dodge Caliber.

Related
Hyundai Adding Elantra Wagon in 2008 (KickingTires)
Friday Fleet Notes: 04.20.07 (KickingTires)
2007 Hyundai Elantra Expert Review (Cars.com)

Hyundai Adding Elantra Wagon in 2008

A few weeks ago, Hyundai showed off a wagon called the FD at the Seoul Auto Show. Today, we’ve learned that the new compact wagon will come to the U.S. as the Elantra Wagon. 

The wagon will be powered by the same 138-hp four-cylinder engine that’s in the newly redesigned sedan, and it can’t arrive soon enough for Hyundai. Surprisingly, the new sedan isn’t selling near expectations; it’s actually selling less than last year’s aging model. Cars.com reviewed the Elantra recently, and we were impressed with the sedan’s value. Check out a few larger pictures below and tell us what you think of the look.

2007 Hyundai Elantra Pricing: More for Less

Hyundai has beefed up the redesigned 2007 Elantra in size, but not in price. Despite a litany of standard features, more interior room and the new design, the base Elantra GLS actually starts for almost $700 less than the outgoing 2006 model. The 2007’s base price of $13,395 not (including a $600 destination charge) is a relative bargain when you consider the standard features like side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, four-wheel disc brakes and an auxiliary input for your iPod or other MP3 player. The new Elantra goes on sale later this month. A full list of pricing is below.