Compact Cars Get Big Incentives

It’s no wonder that we’re seeing hefty incentives for small cars this month. The average cash-back offer is around $1,250 to $1,500, though some vehicles like the discontinued Chevrolet Cobalt have larger cash-back incentives. Keep in mind that $1,500 cash back on a $13,000 vehicle, like the Hyundai Accent, represents a bigger discount than $5,000 off a $55,000 BMW 5 Series.

Honda also has some pretty good lease deals. The Fit’s offer is a $149 monthly payment; the Civic has a $159 monthly payment and the Insight a $169 per month lease rate. The Insight, which was too closely priced to the more efficient Toyota Prius to make any dent in the marketplace, not only has some aggressive lease terms but also up to $1,500 cash back.

Domestic brands have clamped down on incentives, even with their compact cars. The new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has a somewhat attractive APR of zero to 3.9% for up to 72 months. The popular 2011 Ford Fiesta hasn’t dipped into the incentive pot at all. The company is offering 8.9% as a its best financing APR for 72 months. That doesn’t sound like the best of deals, and shoppers looking for value have a lot to consider in the deals we list below.

Below we detail the best deals of the month. Most deals are available until early to mid November.

• 2010 Chevrolet Aveo (excludes LT): $2,500 cash back or 0-3.9% APR financing up to 72 months  
• 2011 Chevrolet Aveo (excludes LT): $1,000 cash back or 0-3.9% APR financing up to 72 months 
• 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt (excludes SS/LT): $3,000 cash back or 0-3.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: 0-3.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2010 Dodge Caliber: $2,000 cash back or 0-6.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2010 Ford Focus: $1,500-$2,000 cash back or 0-8.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2011 Ford Focus: $1,500-$2,000 cash back or $500 cash back and 0-8.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2010 Honda Civic (excludes GX and Hybrid): $1,000-$1,500 cash back or 0.9%-2.9% APR up to 60 months 
• 2010 Honda Insight (lease): $169 per month (36 months) with $1,699 due at signing 
• 2010 Honda Insight (financing): $750-$1,500 cash back or 0.9%-2.9% APR up to 60 months 
• 2010 Hyundai Accent: $500-$2,000 cash back or $1,000 cash back and 0.9%-3.9% APR up to 60 months; 1.9%-4.9% up to 72 months  
• 2011 Hyundai Accent: $500-$1,500 cash back or $1,000 cash back and 0.9%-3.9% APR up to 60 months; 1.9%-4.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Hyundai Elantra: $1,000-$2,500 cash back or $500 cash back and 0.9%-3.9% APR up to 60 months; 1.9%-4.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring: $1,000-$1,500 cash back or $500 cash back and 0.9%-3.9% APR up to 60 months; 1.9%-4.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Kia Rio: $1,500 cash back or 0-1.9% APR up to 60 months; 0.9%-3.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Kia Rio5: $1,500 cash back or 0-1.9% APR up to 60 months; 0.9%-3.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Kia Forte sedan: $1,500 cash back or $1,000 cash back and 0-1.9% APR up to 60 months; 0.9%-3.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Kia Forte Koup: $1,000 cash back or $1,000 cash back and 0-1.9% APR up to 60 months; 0.9%-3.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer: $1,500 cash back or 0-2.9% APR up to 60 months 
• 2010-11 Nissan Sentra: $1,000-$1,500 cash back or 0-1.9% APR up to 60 months; 0.9%-3.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Nissan Versa: $1,500 cash back or 0-2.9% APR up to 60 months; 1.9%-3.9% up to 72 months 
• 2011 Nissan Versa: $1,000 cash back or 0-2.9% APR up to 60 months; 1.9%-3.9% up to 72 months 
• 2010 Suzuki SX4: $1,500-$1,750 cash back or 0% APR up to 60 months 
• 2010 Toyota Corolla: $750-$1,000 or 0-2.9% APR up to 60 months 
• 2010 Toyota Prius: $1,000 cash back or 0-2.9% APR up to 60 months 
• 2010 Volkswagen Beetle: $2,000 cash back or 0-3.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2010 Volkswagen Golf (excludes TDI): $1,500 cash back or 0-3.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2010 Volkswagen Jetta: $1,250-$1,500 cash back or 0-3.9% APR up to 72 months 
• 2010 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen: $1,000 cash back or 0-3.9% APR up to 72 months