Chrysler’s Employee Pricing Plus has garnered a lot of attention over the past few weeks. With so many great models available, it’s tough to pick just one to write about. Luckily for us, there happens to be a standout performer in the bunch. That car is the 2009 Jeep Patriot. While the Patriot is vastly different from other Jeeps you may have driven, it’s still quite capable and perfectly suited for light duty off-roading. But the Patriot isn’t just a crossover that also happens to perform well in the dirt. It bears the highly respected “Trail Rated” badge. This means that the Patriot 4×4 is put through the same five tests as every other Jeep, including the off-road standard, the Wrangler. This means it’s rugged enough to take on Death Valley, but also refined enough to navigate less rocky (but equally dangerous) urban landscapes. In addition, the Patriot’s 172-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 23/28 mpg (city/highway). The Patriot is a lot of Jeep for not that much cash. Right now, you can pick one up for the same price a Chrysler employee would pay, plus get a huge rebate attached. Don’t let this one pass you by.

Click on Jeep Employee Pricing Plus to see pricing in your particular area.

There’re so many reasons to drive home a 2008 or 2009 Ford Explorer. Ford’s venerable mid-size SUV comes equipped with your choice of a 210-horsepower V6 or a 292-horsepower V8. Not the least of which being the substantial rebate Ford is offering right now on all Ford Explorer models, including the XLT Sport and luxurious Eddie Bauer Edition.

With the economy being what it is, it’s the perfect time to pick up that SUV you’ve always wanted. Imagine having nearly 86 cubic feet of cargo room at your disposal once all the rear seats are folded down. You could move your in-laws in (or out) of your house with ease. Or how about the ability to tow up to 10,000 lbs. with the 4.6-liter V8 and optional AWD? The possibilities are nearly endless with this vehicle. What makes this deal even sweeter is the respectable fuel economy the Explorer achieves.

With the 4-liter V6 getting 14/20 mpg (city/highway) and the 4.6-liter V8 getting just slightly better than that at 15/21 mpg (city/highway), the Explorer isn’t as thirsty as you might think. As you can see, there are many reasons to purchase a brand new Explorer. Click the links below and type in your zip code to find the lowest prices in your area.

Click to 2009 Ford Explorer Pricing to see the prices of a 2009 Ford Explorer in your area.  To find the pricing and availability of the 2008 Ford Explorer, check with your local dealer by clicking here. 

Mazda has just announced that they will waive the security deposit on select 2008 and 2009 models when you lease one in January! That means you can drive a brand new Mazda off the lot and pay only the first month’s payment plus the acquisition fee, tax, title and licensing fees.

For a limited time, you can lease a clean and green 2009 Mazda3 i Sport for only $169 per month for a joy-filled 36 months. With a 148-horsepower, 2-liter 4-cylinder engine that gets 24/32 mpg (city/highway), driving a Mazda3 i Sport makes a great deal of sense in these uncertain times. And when you consider that the Mazda3 was recently among the top finishers in Consumer Reports’ 2009 survey of most reliable cars, this deal only gets better.

If you need something a bit bigger, then take home a 2009 Mazda6 i Sport for just $229 per month. Newly redesigned, the Mazda6 has gotten a ton of praise for its refined yet sporty good looks. A 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine motivates the Mazda6 i Sport with relative ease. When equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission, the Mazda6 is capable of 21/30 mpg (city/highway). Helping to make a case for its practicality is the Mazda6’s generous trunk space. At 16.6 cubic feet, the Mazda6 has one of the most spacious trunks in its class. We could go on and on about the rest of Mazda’s lineup included in this deal, but it’s better if you just see for yourself. Click the links below and take advantage of this great offer.

Lease a 2009 MAZDA3 i Sport 4-Door AT

Lease a 2009 MAZDA3 s Sport 5-Door AT

Lease a 2009 MAZDA5 Sport AT

Lease a 2009 MAZDA6 i Sport AT

Lease a 2009 CX-7 Sport FWD

Lease a 2009 CX-9 Sport FWD

Lease a 2009 RX-8 Sport MT

Lease a 2008 MX-5 Sport MT

Lease a 2009 Tribute i Sport FWD AT

What’s in a model year? Would you feel cheated by buying a 2008 model even though it’s now 2009? You shouldn’t because the fact remains: it has never been owned by anyone else, it’s new! Moreover, dealers are scrambling to move remaining 2008 models off their lots by offering incredible deals that simply cannot be passed up.  Take for instance the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara: it’s every bit as good as the 2009 model, but you can get one at 0% APR financing for 60 months or with a substantial rebate attached.   To see how big the rebate is, click here and type in your zip code.

With all the money you’ll be saving, you can enjoy your Grand Vitara’s optional 4-wheel drive by navigating it through scenic off-road destinations or make use of its 5-passenger seating capacity and take that long overdue family vacation. After all, you’ll also be saving a fair amount in gas expenses with this small but capable SUV. Rated at 19/26 mpg (city/highway) for the 166-horsepower, 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and 17/23 mpg (city/highway) for the 230-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6, the Grand Vitara leaves little room for excuses when it comes to pursuing driving pleasure.

There’s still time to get your hands on a 2008 Grand Vitara, and you can drive one home at an absurdly low price. This offer expires February 2, 2009, so you’d better hurry. Click the links below and type in your zip code to find the lowest prices in your area.

Kia’s first V8-powered SUV may have arrived a little too late to the sport utility market, but low demand and dealer overstock are a bargain hunter’s two best friends. The 2009 Kia Borrego happens to be an extremely competent vehicle that brings validity to the fact that it will give the competition something to really lose sleep over.  

With a front end that vaguely resembles the Subaru Tribeca’s and a body that looks like practically everything else in the mid-size SUV segment, the Borrego’s styling won’t have you gasping in amazement. However, its performance will definitely take you by surprise. In V8 4-wheel drive trim, the Borrego produces a solid 337 horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to tow 7,500 lbs. achieving 15/22 mpg (city/highway), the Borrego’s V8 is one of the most efficient in its class. 

A fully independent rear suspension allows the Borrego to handle less like the 2.5-ton behemoth that it is and more like a mild-mannered sedan. With seating for seven, the Borrego makes for an excellent compromise between a pickup truck and a family-sized minivan.

Now’s the perfect time to take advantage of Kia’s incredibly low pricing on the 2009 Kia Borrego.  Right now, Kia is offering 0% APR financing for 36 months or huge rebates on all Borrego models. Click the links below and type in your zip code to find the lowest price in your area. 

Click here to find the lowest price on the 2009 Kia Borrego in your area.

To read the full 4-page behind-the-wheel road test, click here.