$15,000 Off a Mercedes SL and Other Deals

Incentives haven’t been big news since the Cash for Clunkers program wiped out a large chunk of dealers’ inventory nationwide. That doesn’t mean all automakers have stopped offering incentives — even large ones — this month. Before the Halloween sugar rush fades, you’ll be able to find some huge cash-back deals, especially at Mercedes-Benz.

• 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class: $15,000
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: $10,000
• 2010 Cadillac STS: $7,400
• 2010 Land Rover Range Rover: $6,000
• 2010 Mazda RX-8: $5,000
• 2010 Nissan Titan: $5,000
• 2009 Nissan Titan: $5,000

You can find more deals on our incentives page. All incentives above end Nov. 2.

2009|Mercedes-Benz|SL-Class

2009|Mercedes-Benz|CLS-Class

2010|Cadillac|STS

2010|Mazda|RX-8

2009|Nissan|Titan

2010|Nissan|Titan

IIHS Says Several Pickups Don't Meet Expectations

While you might envision large pickup trucks as pretty safe vehicles to be inside during a bad accident, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has news for you: The new Dodge Ram, Nissan Titan and Chevy Silverado all performed below expectations when IIHS tested four-door versions for side impacts.

Both with and without optional side airbags, the Chevy Silverado 1500 got a Poor rating, even though the Silverado got a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Director of media relations Russ Rader told Autoblog that this was due to different testing methods; IIHS simulates the impact of a large truck or SUV with a taller barrier that impacts the more vulnerable parts of the door.

The Titan also received a Poor mark for side impacts, but increased that rating to Marginal with optional side airbags. The Ram, which has standard side airbags, managed a Marginal rating as well.

In case you’re wondering, IIHS really doesn't have it in for large pickups: The new 2009 Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra both were chosen as Top Safety Picks.

End-of-the-Model-Year Deals: Nissan

It's that time of year again: Manufacturers need to make room on dealer lots for new 2009 models, so the 2008s have to hit the road, and that means more incentives. We'll be highlighting deals from a number of manufacturers, along with notes on which models will change substantially for 2009.

Like many manufacturers, Nissan is offering huge cash-back offers on its trucks and SUVs — the Armada and Titan, specifically — but is also offering a good variety of cash-back deals on other 2008 models. A full list of 2008 Nissan deals from our incentives page is below:

• 2008 Altima: $1,000
• 2008 Armada: $5,000
• 2008 Frontier: $2,500
• 2008 Maxima: $2,500
• 2008 Pathfinder: $2,500
• 2008 Quest: $3,500
• 2008 Sentra: $1,000
• 2008 Titan: $5,000
• 2008 Xterra: $3,000
• 2008 Versa: $800

Those offers are available across a variety of regions we tested, but as always, be sure to use your own zip code to make sure offers apply in your region.The deals are good through Sept. 2.

The Maxima is all-new for 2009, and you can read our coverage of it here. The Frontier and Xterra receive some upgrades, but they aren't as significant. Check out the changes here.

Chrysler, Nissan Team Up on Trucks, Small Cars

Chrysler builds a good truck — the Ram. Nissan builds a good small car — the Versa. The two companies are now acknowledging their own strengths and tapping the other’s to boost their respective lineups.

In an agreement announced yesterday, Chrysler will build a full-size pickup for Nissan at its Mexico assembly plant. The resulting Nissan truck will replace the current Titan and go into production in 2011.

In exchange, Nissan will build an all-new (“all-new” meaning “not based on the current Versa”) fuel-efficient small car that is based on a “unique Chrysler concept.” It will be sold in North America and will hit the streets in 2010. Just because the agreement says “Chrysler” does not mean the small car will be branded a Chrysler; it could be a Dodge or Jeep.

Currently, Chrysler is still working with Chinese automaker Chery on a global small car. There’s no word on how the Nissan agreement may impact that deal or if the two models will overlap. Check out a number of recent Chrysler small car concepts below and let us know which one you’d like to see make it into production.

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Nissan Titan

With heavyweights like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado in its class, the Nissan Titan has had trouble attracting buyers. It also doesn’t help that it consistently receives poor marks for reliability from consumer magazines. Given the obstacles the truck faces, can the 2008 Titan improve on its predecessors, and if so, can it then lure buyers? Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays is not all that optimistic.

2008 Nissan Titan Expert Review (Cars.com)

2008 Nissan Titan, Armada On Sale Now

We love getting price-announcement news releases that say the vehicles are on sale now. It must be frustrating to read news about a price you like, then not be able to go right out and buy said car. For 2008, Nissan has given both the Titan full-size pickup and the Armada SUV slight exterior modifications and a few more bells and whistles. There are no significant upgrades to the engines, but they can be snatched up today.

The Titan doesn’t get a bump in entry price, remaining at $23,700 for the 2WD King Cab XE with a standard bed. The Armada gets a slight bump, to $35,250 for the 4x2 SE, up from $34,950 in 2007. None of the prices include a $745 destination charge. A full list of trim levels and prices is below.

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More on the 2008 Nissan Titan

Nissan’s slew of new information continues to roll out. Now we’re learning a bit more about the new PRO-4X and long-wheelbase versions of Nissan’s full-size Titan pickup.

The PRO-4X is an off-road model with Rancho shocks, additional skid plates, electronic locking rear differential and specific 18-inch wheels. There are also interior touches — a PRO-4X logo and different gauges.

The PRO-4X and the rest of the range get the improved 5.6-liter V-8 engine, which sees its power output rise to 317 hp.

More photos of the lineup, including interior shots we weren’t able to bring you yesterday, are below.

Related:
2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Titan

2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Nissan Titan

Nissan entered the full-size truck market with the Titan in 2004, but it didn’t endear itself to many truck fans. The 2008 model will arrive this spring sporting the new corporate truck face seen on the new Pathfinder and Armada. It will also come in a long-wheelbase version. There’s also a new trim called PRO-4, which joins the XE, SE and LE versions.

Inside the Titan we see some upgraded materials and a lot of new features, like optional Bluetooth hands-free calling, heated leather seats and a DVD entertainment system.

Power comes from a 317-hp, 385 pounds-feet of torque V-8 engine that’s rated to tow 9,500 pounds. That figure doesn’t match new offerings from Toyota and Chevrolet, which both best the 10,000-pound mark.

Nissan to Debut New Titan, Pathfinder and Armada Next Week

Nissan is getting the ball rolling and hoping to generate some pre-Chicago Auto Show buzz by unveiling revised versions of its Pathfinder and Armada SUVs, along with a refreshed Titan pickup, next week in Detroit. The three are getting both exterior and — much more importantly — interior upgrades. We’ll bring you all three next week, then we'll get to see the group in person at the Chicago Auto Show’s media days Feb. 7 & 8.