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Jeep WranglerAJ Mueller

What is the cheapest V-6 four-by-four (4x4) of any kind on the market and by a wide margin?

Paul Timoteo, president of the pricing service carcostcanada.com, argues it's the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport. Moreover, this model is a case where a Chrysler vehicle sold in Canada is cheaper than the same model in the United States.

"Price out a base truck here and in the States," he says. "The MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) is slightly higher here, but with the current $2,250 rebate plus an extra $1,000 for Ontario residents, they are advertising it in Ontario at $18,995 including freight! For a brand new 4x4. That's crazy. In the states it's well over $20,000."

Timoteo offers this breakdown:

  • Base MSRP: $21,595
  • Factory rebate: $2,250
  • Ontario only bonus rebate: $1,000
  • Net before freight: $17,845 ("You can't find a used one for this price unless it's three years old.")
  • Freight: $1,400
  • Total: $19,745
  • Extra dealer promotional discount: $755
  • Net promo advertised price: $18,990 plus HST

"Sure it's just a base truck, with no air, but at this starting price you can add all the options you want and it's still dirt cheap," says Timoteo.

Yes, there are deals to be had out there, no question and not just from Chrysler. Toyota Canada managing director Stephen Beatty says while the Canadian new vehicle market is "rebounding," the overall sales climate is "soft and incentives will stick around."

Toyota will do what's necessary to remain competitive, he added, noting South Korean auto makers Hyundai and Kia are taking advantage of a soft home currency to lead the incentive war on cars, while Detroit's auto makers are leading in incentives on trucks.

Deals of the Week has the details on the Wrangler Sport below, plus three others. Note that while we promised a rundown of hot deals on dependable light trucks this week, we'll save that for next week in light of this hot 4x4 offer on a Wrangler. Deals obtained pricing information from carcostcanada.com. The numbers:

2011 Wrangler Sport:

MSRP: $21,595

Freight, dealer prep: $1,400

Dealer discount (estimated): $0

Taxable subtotal: $22,995

Factory discount: $2,250 (Stackable Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)

Factory discount: $1,000 (Ontario-only bonus, factory-to-dealer)

Factory discount: $755 (Extra Dealer Promotional Discount)

Price before HST: $18,990

Total price with 13 per cent HST: $21,458.70

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited V-6 Auto w/Navi:

MSRP: $37,599

Freight, dealer prep: $1,700

Dealer discount: $1,500

Taxable subtotal: $37,439

Factory discount: $3,500 (Dealer Cash factory-to-dealer rebate)

Total price: $33,939

Total price with 13 per cent HST: $38,351.07

2011 Toyota Matrix AWD:

MSRP: $24,070

Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,490

Dealer discount (estimated): $1,000

Taxable subtotal: $24,560

Total price with 13 per cent HST: $27,752.80

Factory discount: $1,000 (Trading Dollars)

Factory discount: $250 (Four Million Sold stackable rebate)

Factory discount: $250 (Consumer Cash)

Final price: $26,252.80

2011 Kia Forte SX Luxury five-door, automatic:

MSRP: $26,195

Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,555

Dealer discount (estimated): $700

Factory discount: $1,500 (Trading Dollars factory-to-dealer rebate)

Factory discount: $500 (Retail Deliver Credit factory-to-dealer)

Taxable subtotal: $25,050

Total price with 13 per cent HST: $28,306.50

Pricing information source: carcostcanada.com. Calculations based on Ontario customers. Please note that while the information above is accurate at the time of publication, incentives are given at the discretion of individual dealers, and may be changed or discontinued at any time. Dealer discounts are negotiated with the customer on a case-by-case basis.

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