Are you thinking about buying a new car over the upcoming Labor Day weekend? If so, you're not alone. In fact, according to Wallethub, 77.5 million Americans will venture out to look at (and potentially purchase) a vehicle this weekend. You'll hear a lot of buzz about Labor Day discounts advertised by dealers including cash back offers and finance specials. Is there any weight to their claims, or should you avoid the crowds and do your shopping another time? We'll take a look at why this Labor Day will be a busier car shopping weekend and share the top 2019 Labor Day car deals compiled by U.S. News and World Report.
Why is Labor Day a Popular Car Shopping Weekend?
J.D. Power reports that August is one of the most popular months for car buying and it's no coincidence that Labor Day weekend happens to fall in late August. There are many reasons for the mad rush to the dealerships. Aside from having the extra time thanks to the day off, there is a higher sense of financial security this year. According to Wallethub's survey, 54% of respondents were more financially secure in buying a car this year than last and 52% believe it's a buyer's market over a seller's market.
Another reason Labor Day is a popular time for car shoppers to scope out their next car is because automakers are now releasing 2020 models and the shoppers looking for the latest tech and features will likely find them. With the arrival of the new 2020 vehicles, dealers are also trying to move the previous year's inventory to make room. Does that mean it's also a good time to buy a 2019 model?
If you're thinking it's all hype and you'd rather hit the beach this weekend than fight the crowds at the dealership, you may want to reconsider. According to Kelley Blue Book, Labor Day weekend is, in fact, a great time to save on your car purchase because sellers offer significant rebates and special financing. The savings can add up to $2,000-$3,000 from cash back offers and if you're shopping for a specific vehicle on the list of the best deals, you can save thousands more over the life of your loan thanks to 0% financing offers. U.S. News and World Report compiled the top 9 vehicle deals for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend. Is your next vehicle on the list?
1. 2019 Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the brand's most popular crossovers, and for good reason. Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the Equinox offers excellent exterior styling and a basic, yet comfortable, interior. It also gets a new turbocharged engine lineup which includes a turbodiesel and plenty of tech features like 7-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot.
- Finance Deals: 0% financing for 60 months
- Cash Back Deals: $2,750 cash back excludes L. (Expires: 09/03/19)
2019 Chevrolet Equinox base MSRP: $23,800
Find Local Discounts on the Chevrolet Equinox
2. 2019 Toyota Sienna
One of the most popular minivans for families and the only one offered with AWD, the 2019 Toyota Sienna is a great choice made even better with the Labor Day purchase deal. With a capable 296-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and some of the highest reliability rankings, the Sienna offers peace of mind and seating for up to 8.
- Finance Deals: 0% financing for 60 months
2019 Toyota Sienna base MSRP: $31,315
Find Local Discounts on the Toyota Sienna
3. 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV that can take you from the daily highway commute to your favorite off-road destinations. Inside you'll find a comfortable cabin, and you get to take your pick of 5 engines from the base 3.6-liter V6 to a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8. No matter which trim you choose, you'll find tech features including a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors.
- Finance Deals: 0% financing for up to 72 months
- Cash Back Deals: Up to $3,250 cash back on select trims (Expires: 09/03/19)
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee base MSRP: $32,195
Find Local Discounts on the Jeep Grand Cherokee
4. 2019 Hyundai Kona
The 2019 Hyundai Kona is one of the most buzzed-about subcompact crossovers to recently hit the market. For a starting price under $20,000, the Kona offers youthful and fun styling, excellent handling and two engine options including the surprisingly quick and powerful 1.6-liter turbo (a rarity for the segment). Emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitor come as standard equipment in all trim levels.
- Finance Deals: 0% financing for 60 months
- Cash Back Deals: $1,500 cash back (Expires: 09/03/19)
2019 Hyundai Kona base MSRP: $19,990
Find Local Discounts on the Hyundai Kona
5. 2019 Ford Mustang
This iconic muscle car stays true to its roots for 2019. The 2019 Ford Mustang gives you true sports car handling along with an optional V8 engine good for 460 horsepower. Even the base engine which comes in the form of a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder offers up a healthy 310 horsepower. Inside, you'll find a cabin that is comfortable even for longer drives (but only for the front seats) and a plethora of optional tech features.
- Finance Deals: 3.9% financing for 72 months
- Cash Back Deals: $1,750 cash back (Expires: 09/30/19)
2019 Ford Mustang base MSRP: $26,395
6. 2019 Nissan Rogue
If a compact SUV with great fuel efficiency (33 mpg on the highway) and loads of cargo space is on your shopping list, the 2019 Nissan Rogue deserves a test drive. On top of its comfortable interior, the 2019 Rogue comes with a laundry list of standard safety features including a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, intelligent lane intervention, high-beam assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
- Finance Deals: 0% financing for 36 months
- Cash Back Deals: $2,500 cash back on 2019 Rogue and $1,000 cash back on Rogue Hybrid (Expires: 09/03/19)
2019 Nissan Rogue base MSRP: $25,020
7. 2019 Subaru Outback
As one of the few wagons still on the market, the 2019 Subaru Outback is the automaker's best selling vehicle. It offers standard AWD for traction in all weather conditions, class-leading cargo space, spacious and comfortable seats, and Subaru's Eyesight suite of safety features standard. We'll note that the base engine is a 175 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder which may leave you somewhat power-hungry. Upgrading to the 3.6-liter V6 engine for 256 horsepower solves this problem.
- Finance Deals: 0% financing for a limited-term
2019 Subaru Outback base MSRP: $26,345
Find Local Discounts on the Subaru Outback
8. 2019 Kia Stinger
Kia may not currently be synonymous with "premium brand" but that's changing thanks to vehicles like the 2019 Kia Stinger. This sports sedan effortlessly blends style, performance, and practicality. The Stinger is offered with two engine options including a turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder for 255 horsepower and a 3.3L V6 Twin Turbo for 365 horsepower (and more fun). Available AWD and a spacious, comfortable cabin mean this sports sedan will double as an excellent daily driver.
Finance Deals: 0% financing for 75 months
2019 Kia Stinger base MSRP: $32,990
Find Local Discounts on the Kia Stinger
9. 2019 Ford Expedition
The 2019 Ford Expedition is the largest SUV on this list and it's a great choice for families looking for more space, a cushy ride, and a powerful engine. For an SUV of its size, it may come as a surprise that a V8 engine isn't offered. Luckily, the Expedition's turbocharged V6 engine is good for 375 horsepower and is very capable, allowing you to tow over 9,000 lbs. The Expedition's benefits extend to the interior with spacious seating for 8 and a third row that fits grown adults.
- Finance Deals: 0% financing for 60 months plus up to $7,030 on select trims
- Cash Back Deals: Up to $11,280 in available rebates on select trims (Expires: 09/30/19)
2019 Ford Expedition base MSRP: $52,130
Best Labor Day Finance Deals
