The MKT has its version of the Lincoln grille and a sheet-metal bump on the hood designed to suggest power
Acura's sales were up nearly 20 per cent in April, largely on the strength of the popular Acura MDX sport utility vehicle. Yes, there's a good deal here.
Acura Canada has slapped a $4,500 sales sweetener on the MDX, though this one applies to the after-tax amount. That means buyers will pay more in tax, of course.
This is also a factory-to-dealer rebate, which means you will need to negotiate for all or part of it; it won't be publicized in your local dealer showroom. While you're negotiating, work on getting the dealer to include a "dealer discount" based on the difference between wholesale dealer cost and the retail posted price. That could amount to a further discount of $2,000 or more. So total discounts on the MDX: potentially $6,500.
For the record, the MDX is an excellent SUV. Just excellent. As a matter of fact, the MDX posted an "Excellent" overall score in a recent Consumer Reports test of four luxury SUVs. The Acura MDX earned an overall road-test score of 85, outperforming the Land Rover LR4 ("Very Good" at 73), the new Lincoln MKT ("Very Good," 72), and the Audi Q7 ("Very Good," 68).
"The MDX is a well-rounded vehicle that outscores competitors that cost much more," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. The MDX is the only Recommended SUV in this test group. To learn more, go to www.ConsumerReports.org.
Deals of the Week, of course, was interested in what Ford might be doing to juice sales of the MKT, which also did well in the CR test. We found discounts that could add up to nearly $12,000.
The MKT may not have quite matched the MDX in the CR test, but it is still a very good SUV. The question is: Is the MDX worth $9,000 more than the MKT? Deals ran the numbers. Have a look.
As usual, we tracked down a couple of other interesting deals, one on the Volkswagen City Golf compact hatchback, the other on the Volvo S40 sedan. Here's a closer look at these deals, based on numbers sourced from www.carcostcanada.com:
2010 Acura MDX base model
MSRP: $51,990
Freight, dealer prep, air conditioning tax: $1,995
Dealer discount (estimated): $2,000
Taxable subtotal: $51,985
Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $58,743.05
Factory-to-dealer rebate: $4,500 (Non-stackable factory-to-dealer rebate)
Final price: $54,243.05
2010 Lincoln MKT 3.7 AWD
Aside from the deals below, Ford of Canada is offering 0.0 per cent financing for five years.
MSRP: $49,950
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,550
Dealer discount (estimated): $1,200
Factory discount: $8,000 (73-month term extended finance factory to dealer rebate; only available when dealer arranges non-Ford Credit financing).
Taxable subtotal: $42,300
Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $47,799
Factory discount: $500 (Targeted Loyalty rebate)
Factory discount: $1,000 (Lincoln Luxury Event factory-to-customer rebate)
Factory discount: $1,000 (Lincoln ClubLink member factory to customer rebate -- includes a complimentary Clublink Gold membership for a second party)
Final price: $45,299
The exterior styling is not for everyone, but the roomy and luxurious interior is a winner
2010 Volkswagen City Golf
MSRP: $15,300
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,465
Dealer discount (estimated): $400
Taxable subtotal: $16,365
Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $18,492.45
Factory discount: $500 (No charge top bonus)
Factory discount: $750 (Graduate Program factory to customer rebate)
Final price: $17,742.45
Gas does better in urban traffic, diesel at highway speeds
2010 Volvo S40 2.4L FWD manual: Note Volvo Canada is offering 0.0 per cent financing for four years.
MSRP: $28,995
Freight, dealer prep and air conditioning tax: $1,195
Dealer discount (estimated): $1,000
Factory discount: $1,000 (Non-stackable Currency Cash factory-to-customer rebate; cash purchases)Taxable subtotal: $28,190
Total price with 8 per cent PST and 5 per cent GST: $31,854.70
Factory discount: $1,000 (Factory to customer Loyalty Bonus)
Final price: $30,854.70
Chinese Geely and Swedish Volvo have more in common than you might think, writes Bob English
Pricing information source: www.carcostcanada.com