Best Small SUV Deals for January 2012 – Small SUV Incentives and Rebates

Posted by Michael Waterman on January 23rd, 2012

Small SUVs continue to sell in big numbers each month because drivers like the combination of form and function. Form because a small SUV or crossover looks more manly than a car or minivan. Function because an SUV offers more capability on and off road.

In our recently published 2012 SUV Buying Guide, we highlight nine SUVs Vehix recommends at starting prices under $30,000, under $45,000 and over $45,000. The Jeep Grand Cherokee you see parked in the snow at the top of this article is our top pick for SUVs with a base price under $30,000. You can read why we think so highly about the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the SUV Buying Guide. But we want to be clear that the Grand Cherokee is the biggest of the small SUVs and we consider it a small SUV only because it lacks a third row. If you need a third row for your passengers, we recommend you read the 5 Best Three-Row SUVs for January 2012 or The Best Large SUV Deals for January 2012.

The Ford Escape offers the biggest discount this month with a $2,000 cash incentive. We expect Ford to heavily discount the Escape in 2012 since the redesigned 2013 Ford Escape is due in stores later this year.

We’ve highlighted three vehicles below that offer the greatest mix of value and amenities–along with the best nationally published discounts–this month. But local offers usually trump national deals so watch TV ads, check your newspapers and click the rebates and incentives links below to see local offers for your city or town. And remember that rebates and incentives offers can change quickly. So if you see a small SUV deal you like, jump on it quickly.

2012 Ford Escape

Read: 2012 Ford Escape Review

View: 2012 Ford Escape Rebates and Incentives

2012 Nissan Murano

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Our Car Deals Methodology

Choosing the best small SUV deals of the month is a straightforward process:

1. We use nationally available rebate and incentive numbers to help us whittle the list of small SUVs down to a manageable number. We look for double-digit discounts from the window sticker. The bigger the discount, the better the deal.
2. We take a look at whether or not low-interest financing is available. Like you, we like rates as close to zero percent as possible.
3. Unlike many publications, we pick vehicles we would recommend to our friends, relatives, and colleagues. In other words, cars we would park in our own driveways.

Don’t forget that in addition to national incentive and rebate programs, automakers frequently offer additional regional discounts that can make vehicles not included on our list equally attractive. Click the rebates and incentives links next to each vehicle and check local dealer advertisements to determine whether regional programs are available in your area. Better yet, ask your dealer directly for the best discount. They’ll be glad to offer you the discount to secure your business.

Related posts:

1. Top 5 Small SUV Deals for November 2011 – Small SUV Incentives and Rebates
2. 5 Best Three-Row SUV Deals for January 2012 – Three-Row SUV Incentives and Rebates
3. The Best Minivan Deals for January 2012 – Minivan Incentives and Rebates
4. The Best Large SUV Deals for January 2012 – Large SUV Incentives and Rebates
5. Top 3 Small SUV Deals for December 2011 – Small SUV Incentives and Rebates
6. The Best Convertible Deals for January 2012 – Convertible Incentives and Rebates
7. The Best Wagon Deals for January 2012 – Station Wagon Incentives and Rebates
8. Top 3 SUV Deals for September 2011 – SUV Incentives and Rebates

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