July 4th Offers Best Deals On Top 25 New Cars, Crossovers

IRVINE, Calif., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Known for fireworks, hot dogs and commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July Fourth also has become one of the best times of the year to buy a new car.  Among the top 25 selling cars and crossovers, consumers will find rock-bottom finance rates, plentiful cash rebates and the most affordable lease opportunities available so far this year, according to Kelley Blue Book, the leading provider of new car and used car information. 

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"Similar to Labor Day, Memorial Day and President's Day, auto manufacturers celebrate Independence Day by offering enhanced incentives to those consumers willing to forgo the party to buy a new car," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book.  "In addition to strong incentives, car shoppers will find ample inventory and lower transaction prices.  In fact, Kelley Blue Book recently found the average new-car transaction price is approximately $500 more affordable than just one year ago."

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Ford Escape and Nissan Altima offer the largest incentives among the new cars to buy on Independence Day.  Each is available with $2,500 to $3,000 in cash rebates, in addition to zero-percent financing offered for 60 months.  These deals will be short-lived, as each model is being replaced by a fully redesigned vehicle for the 2013 model year.  In fact, the all-new 2013 Escape already is hitting dealerships.

Shoppers looking to lease likely will be interested in the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Honda Civic or Chevrolet Cruze.  Each vehicle was redesigned within the last year and all are among the most affordable and fuel-efficient vehicles on the road today.  These models are available for a base lease payment of less than $250 per month without a down payment, or as low as $159 per month with $1,840 down in the case of the Volkswagen Jetta.

For those consumers who need something more spacious, there are plenty of deals available on minivans and crossovers.  Families looking for a minivan should look to the 2012 Toyota Sienna with 0.9 percent financing for 60 months, or a Dodge Caravan which has an available $279 per month lease.  Those looking for a utility vehicle can find a deal on a Toyota RAV4, available with $750 cash back and zero-percent financing for 60 months, or a Ford Explorer, with $1,500 cash back and 3.9 percent financing for 60 months. 

"These deals may be the best available until Labor Day, so consumers who are ready to buy shouldn't hesitate," said Gutierrez.

Best Fourth of July Deals on the Top 25 Selling Cars and Crossovers

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies.  KBB.com provides consumer pricing and information on cars for sale, minivans, pickup trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs.  Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity and was named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year by the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study.  Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book