Consumer Reports Analysts Reveal The Most Discounted New Cars to Buy Right Now

Between Holiday Car Deals

While holidays are traditionally a good time to buy new cars or add to your research---such as with these past 4th of July car deals---as you discover what is out there and begin to follow trends in pricing and availability, sometimes you can find deep discounts for new cars between those holiday deals.

This is especially poignant now with seemingly manic car sale influences from the COVID pandemic and specific automotive-related part shortages that are fluid in both availability and demand as car sellers try to meet buyers’ needs and make a buck at the same time with their sales quotas. In other words, timing is an important factor when looking for deals outside of the holidays that can provide vehicles with extra savings---especially when automakers and dealerships need to make room for new vehicles.

In a recent Consumer Reports analysis of what new vehicles car buying customers are choosing lately, recent transaction data is showing that savings off of MSRP values are smaller than usual; however, there is some wiggle room for negotiating that can lead to great deals if you:

• Know what others have paid for particular models
• Know how much room is available for negotiation
• Know how specific models you are interested in differ in their trim and other features
• Know that looking outside your region can payoff significantly

Consumer Reports’ Analysis

The study is focused primarily on the price alone (rather than the more stringent selection criteria typically used in CR car reviews) people paid recently for their chosen vehicles, that led to CR identifying 10 models selling well below their sticker price that includes sedans, SUVs, and minivans.

That said, here are CR’s top 10 new car deals of what car owners are buying right now that averaged 6 to 12 percent off the original price.

The 10 Most Discounted New Cars Right Now

For clarity, please note that “mpge” refers to “miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent”---the fuel efficiency of vehicles that run on non-liquid fuels, such as hybrid and electric models.

#1: 2021 Honda Clarity (12% Off )
Price Range: $33,400 - $58,490
CR MPGE: Overall 102 mpge / City 100 / Hwy 104 mpge
Rated #9 of 14: Midsized cars

#2: 2021 Cadillac XT6 (9% Off )
Price Range: $48,045 - $57,445
CR MPG: Overall 18 mpg / City 12 / Hwy 26 mpg
Rated #15 of 23: Luxury midsized sport-utility vehicles

#3: 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio (8% Off )
Price Range: $42,350 - $81,250
CR MPG: Overall 24 mpg / City 17 / Hwy 32 mpg
Rated #18 of 20: Luxury compact sport-utility vehicles

#4: 2021 Volkswagen Arteon (8% Off )
Price Range: $36,995 - $46,995
CR MPG: Overall 24 mpg / City 16 / Hwy 36 mpg
Rated #5 of 15: Luxury compact cars

#5: 2021 Acura TLX (7% Off )
Price Range: $37,500 - $53,100
CR MPG: Overall 23 mpg / City 15 / Hwy 34 mpg
Rated #14 of 15: Luxury compact cars

#6: 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia (7% Off )
Price Range: $40,350 - $75,250
CR MPG: Overall 27 mpg / City 18 / Hwy 39 mpg
Rated #15 of 15: Luxury compact cars

#7: 2021 Mini Cooper Countryman (7% Off )
Price Range: $29,100 - $41,500
CR MPG: Overall 25 mpg / City 17 / Hwy 36 mpg
Rated #6 of 11: Luxury entry-level sport-utility vehicles

#8: 2021 Cadillac CT4 (6% Off )
Price Range: $33,395 - $44,895
CR MPG: Overall 25 mpg / City 16 / Hwy 38 mpg
Rated #2 of 5: Luxury entry-level cars

#9: 2021 Honda Odyssey (6% Off )
Price Range: $31,790 - $47,820
CR MPG: Overall 22 mpg / City 14 / Hwy 33 mpg
Rated #3 of 5: Midsized minivans

#10: 2021 Volvo S60 (6% Off )
Price Range: $38,950 - $64,800
CR MPG: Overall 26 mpg / City 17 / Hwy 39 mpg
Rated #7 of 15: Luxury compact cars

For a more detailed breakdown of the data, please visit the CR website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

Be sure to check out other CR-related articles that covers buying used cars, performing your own car repairs, automotive things to avoid; and, recall alerts.

Timothy Boyer is Torque News Tesla and EV reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily Tesla and electric vehicle news.