2009 Cash-Back Deals You Can Still Find

As the 2010 models push out nearly all of the old 2009s on dealer lots, a lot of buyers become annoyed by valid, advertised cash-back offers on 2009 cars that basically aren’t available anymore.

We tracked down some interesting offers on 2009s that are:
a.)    Cars we wouldn’t mind buying
b.)    Have a significant cash-back offer
c.)    Readily available, according to Cars.com’s new-car inventory

Check out our list below. And if you want to search our inventory scroll to the end of the post for handy links for each model.

2010 Suzuki Kizashi Pricing Announced

Suzuki’s new Kizashi sedan is perhaps the company’s most important new model in years. While the SX4 hatchback and sedan helped transition the company away from large SUVs, the midsize Kizashi is aimed at the heart of the American car market. A well-equipped Kizashi with a manual transmission starts at $18,999; the entry-level S model with a continuously variable automatic transmission costs $20,499. The price does not include a $735 destination charge. The car goes on sale in December.

Unlike most of the competitors in the class, you can get all-wheel drive on every trim level, starting at $21,749. All-wheel-drive models only come equipped with the CVT.

While the Kizashi is relatively well-equipped to start — push-button start, nine-speaker stereo system with steering-wheel controls and USB, dual-zone climate control and ambient lighting — and it doesn’t undercut the class in terms of price. The new 2010 Subaru Legacy starts at $19,995 with standard all-wheel drive, and the 2010 Hyundai Sonata starts at $18,700.

If Suzuki wants to steal sales from the segment’s big boys like the slightly more expensive Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion — or even the value leaders — on a nameplate no one has previously heard of, it’s going to have to sell consumers on the features.

Full pricing and trim-level breakdown are below, and check out our earlier coverage of the Kizashi for more photos.

More Details on the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki’s all-new Kizashi midsize sedan is one of the most interesting sedans we’ve seen from the small car and SUV automaker. With its winter release date fast approaching, Suzuki announced today more detailed engine, gas mileage and trim level information as well as a rough idea on pricing.   

Aimed to start under the $20,000 mark, the Kizashi comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as its only offering. The four-cylinder makes 185 horsepower with the manual transmission and 180 hp with an available continuously variable automatic transmission. A V-6 is being considered; if it’s added to the lineup, it would likely be another year before it hits the market.  

All-wheel drive is an option — only on CVT models — and Suzuki says even with the feature the Kizashi will be priced in the $22,000-$24,000 range. On paper, the Kizashi looks to be a close competitor to the 2010 Subaru Legacy.

The Kizashi’s gas mileage in its best configuration will reach 23/31 mpg city/highway with the available CVT, front-wheel drive and 16-inch wheels. The Legacy’s best gas mileage is also 23/31 mpg, but the Subaru manages that rating with standard all-wheel drive. You can see a full breakdown of the Suzuki’s gas mileage below.  

Digging into trim levels, the Kizashi will come in S, SE, GTS and SLS trim levels. Standard features include push-button start, electronic stability system, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, automatic climate control and dual exhaust tips. Stepping up to more expensive trim levels adds features like 17- and 18-inch wheels, leather interior, upgraded stereo, automatic wipers and parking sensors.

2010 Suzuki SX4 Video

If you’re in the market for a low-price urban driver, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays thinks it’s worth your time to look beyond the typical Corolla or Civic. Suzuki offers the SX4. While there are certain elements of the 2010 SX4 that Mays doesn’t like, the vehicle is a good value. Check out his full video review to see if he thinks the SX4 can overcome its deficiencies.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Subaru Outback, Suzuki SX4

Subaru and Suzuki, not exactly the biggest automakers out there, but when it comes to the new Outback there is a huge buzz (it’s been the most popular new-car review on Cars.com for the past week) and sales are brisk. Editors Kelsey Mays, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder discuss the wagon/crossover at length, and then they touch on the quirky Suzuki SX4 and where it stands in a sea of tough competition.

You can listen to the podcast via iTunes, or for the first time, you can listen to it here in this post by clicking the play button below.

Cars.com Podcast #26

2010|Subaru|Outback

2009|Suzuki|SX4

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Suzuki SX4

Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays has some bad news for the 2010 Suzuki SX4: It has some tough compact-car competition that has it dead to rights in areas like fuel economy, interior quality and ride experience. That’s the bad news. The good news is the SX4 has a few redeeming qualities that may endear it to some buyers. Read Mays’ full review and take the good medicine with the bad.

2010 Suzuki SX4

Suzuki Looks to Bring Swift by 2011, Grand Vitara by 2013

Although successful at home in Japan, Suzuki has yet to make a major impact on the U.S. car market. It hopes to turn that around in the next few years with well-executed, sporty alternatives to current U.S. faves.

Is there an opening in the small-car market for the crowd buying Honda Fits? Can a redesigned Grand Vitara cut into the affordable SUV market against Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda’s CR-V?

The first new Suzuki is the next generation of the Swift, which Europe has already seen. According to Automotive News, Suzuki expects this efficient compact to make a U.S. landing by 2011.

The automaker also plans to introduce the next version of the Grand Vitara SUV by 2013 and a new crossover to replace the now-defunct XL7, which died a quiet death in May.

The unnamed crossover would arrive in 2011 or 2012 and use a longer version of the platform for the Kizashi midsize sedan.

U.S. Market Suzuki Swift Reportedly Still on Track for 2011, Next Grand Vitara Coming in 2013 (Autoblog from Automotive News)

Suzuki Will Debut Hybrid Kizashi in 2011

Suzuki plans to bring a hybrid version of its new Kizashi midsize sedan to the U.S. in 2011, according to Nikkei. The Kizashi will use a next-generation hybrid system that Suzuki has co-developed with GM.

The two companies have been working on hybrid development for several years, and their work will first appear in the Kizashi. The lithium-ion batteries will push the Kizashi to roughly 20% better gas mileage than the gasoline version.

This could also mean that GM has its sights set on putting the powertrain into its own hybrid sedans in the future.

The gasoline-only Kizashi is slated to debut in the U.S. in 2010. It will be Suzuki’s first midsize sedan, as the automaker tries to push deeper into the North American market.

Suzuki to Introduce Hybrid Kizashi in N America in 2011; Hybrid System Reportedly Co-Developed with GM (Green Car Congress)

2010 Suzuki Kizashi: First Look

• Competes with: Subaru Legacy, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion
• Looks like: Suzuki has actually designed an interesting sedan
• Drivetrain: 2.4-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or CVT; front or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Winter 2009

Suzuki showed off a promising concept version of the Kizashi last year, and now the company’s delivered on the Kizashi in production form. While the front end isn’t as sleek and daring, the overall look is quite handsome. The back is where things really get interesting, with the entire trunklid rising up in a curve to form a solid-spoiler look. It really is unlike anything else on the market.

What market is Suzuki trying to get into with the Kizashi (Japanese for “something great is coming")? The ultra, ultra competitive midsize sedan market. At 183.1 inches long, the Kizashi is shorter than the competition, though; the Toyota Camry is 189.2 inches long, the Subaru Legacy is 186.4 inches and the Volkswagen Jetta, which the Kizashi resembles from some angles, is 179.3 inches long.

Suzuki Offering Free Gas Incentive for Summer

Suzuki is offering three months of free gas to anyone who purchases a new 2009 Suzuki SX4 sedan or crossover through Aug. 31. It’s also offering $2,000 cash back on all SX4 models equipped with a manual transmission. That deal is good for the same time period.

Suzuki’s free-gas offer may not carry quite the same weight as all the gas offers from last year. At $2.63 a gallon nationally, gas prices are a far cry from last year’s prices of more than $4 per gallon. It just isn’t the terrifying economic boogeyman it was in 2008. The pre-paid gas cards also equal less than $300 in terms of real money.

Furthermore, as a general principal, offering three months of free gas isn’t as good as building a more efficient car. The Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic both eat the SX4’s lunch when it comes to fuel economy.