What’s the Best New-Car Deal for September 2022?

As Labor Day road trips and the end of summer turn to fall activities like camping, tailgating and apple picking, a new vehicle that accommodates these cooler-weather plans may also be on the agenda. But even as the leaves fall, apples drop and footballs get fumbled, new-car prices show no signs of following suit — in fact, the average new-car transaction price set another record high in August as incentives continue to shrink.

Related: Should You Buy Now or Wait to Save on a Car?

According to J.D. Power’s most recent sales report, the average new-vehicle transaction price was estimated at $46,259 in August, setting a new record high and climbing 12% compared to the same time a year previously. At the same time, average new-car incentives continue to decline: The average incentive on a vehicle was estimated at $969, which is down 47% from August 2021 and equates to just 2% off on average vehicle MSRP.

Luckily, shoppers can take advantage of some low-hanging fruit when it comes to getting a deal this September: generous trade-in values. J.D. Power estimates the average used-car trade-in equity for August hit a record high of $10,011 (up 32.7% from August 2021).

The roster below of deals for September brings a diverse range of vehicles, including family and off-road capable SUVs, a muscle car and a tailgate-ready pickup truck. Plus, this eclectic group comes with above-average incentives to accommodate trips to the campground, apple orchard, stadium or track this season. Read on for the details.

2022 Chevrolet Equinox

• Factory discount: $1,200
• Approximate price after savings: $26,500-$43,500
• Approximate factory savings: 3%-4%
• Offer ends: Oct. 3

The Chevrolet Equinox returns to the lineup this month bringing savings of $1,200 across all trims in the regions we surveyed; depending on which variant you choose, that means up to 4% in factory savings. In place of the cash discount, shoppers who finance with Chevy parent GM can get a rate of 1.9% for 60 months. Amid the unveiling of an all-electric equivalent, the gasoline version of Chevy’s compact SUV, whose days increasingly look numbered, soldiers on for now with solid power from a carryover 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and many standard safety and convenience features including newly available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All deals are available through Oct. 3.

2022 Dodge Charger

• Factory discount: $1,000-$3,250
• Approximate price after savings: $31,000-$56,500
• Approximate factory savings: 2%-9%
• Offer ends: Oct. 3

If an autumn trip to the drag strip sounds more appealing than a trip to the apple orchard, the Dodge Charger is the best choice among this roundup. The current Charger’s days may also be numbered as the brand begins electrifying its muscle cars, but those who don’t want to wait for the 2023 special editions expected later in the year will find discounts ranging from $1,000-$3,250 off eligible gas-powered 2022 Charger models, including the SXT, GT and R/T. In place of cash-only deals, shoppers who finance with Dodge parent Stellantis can choose from three rates depending on the model and region: 2.9% for 72 months with up to $500 in bonus cash; 0% for 36 months with up to $2,250; or 1.9% for 60 months with up to $1,250. And though cash-back offers don’t exist for higher trim levels, financing of 0% for 36 months can be had on the Scat Pack, SRT Jailbreak and all three Widebody variants. All offers are valid through Oct. 3.

2022 Jeep Compass

• Factory discount: $1,000-$2,000
• Approximate price after savings: $27,500-$41,500
• Approximate factory savings: 2%-6%
• Offer ends: Oct. 3

While its off-road prowess is no match for its Wrangler sibling, the Jeep Compass can take on the dirt or gravel roads that typically lead to secluded autumnal campsite or hiking destinations. A frequenter of our deals roundups, the Compass this month brings savings of $1,000-$2,000 depending on the model and region. Shoppers who finance with Jeep parent Stellantis can swap the above cash-only deals for a financing rate of 0% for 36 months with up to $1,000 bonus cash, or 2.9% for 60 months with up to $1,000 bonus cash. The cash and finance offers are valid through Oct. 3.

Editor’s Choice: 2022 Ram 1500 Big Horn/Lone Star

• Factory discount: $1,250-$5,550
• Approximate price after savings: $39,500-$75,500
• Approximate factory savings: 2%-12%
• Offer ends: Oct. 3

The returning MVP of our deals analyses is the Ram 1500. The pickup truck’s Big Horn and Texas-exclusive Lone Star editions come with savings this month between $1,250-$5,550, region depending. Shoppers who finance with Stellantis can skip the cash deals and choose a 0% rate for 72 months, or 0% for 48 months with up to $3,500 bonus cash. The Ram 1500 offers a slew of V-6 and V-8 engine options, and its workhorse capability includes a 12,750-pound maximum towing capacity with an available 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. But it also caters to off-the-clock demands including tailgating or camping with clever features like the RamBox. The cargo management system includes a built-in drainable cooler and offers a 115-volt power outlet in the bed for the essential devices, as well. As with the rest of this list, all offers are available through Oct. 3.

How We Look for Deals

To help car shoppers find the best deals for September, we lead with cash offers available to shoppers at large, not those that require financing with the automaker or having certain qualifications (e.g., military or college-graduate discounts, loyalty or conquest bonuses, etc.). In calculating the overall percentage discount and pricing after incentives, we focus on the vehicle’s price range from the cheapest incentives-eligible trim level with no factory options to the priciest eligible trim with all factory options. We include the destination charge in such pricing, but we exclude a few other items: taxes and fees, which vary considerably by region, and dealer accessories, which vary considerably by automaker.

Because these are factory discounts, they should be available to all participating dealers. As such, use them as the starting point for negotiations, not a reason to skip haggling altogether.

Incentives data come from automakers’ websites. Remember, our numbers are current as of publication for the markets we survey (generally Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and New York). They reflect advertised customer discounts, not unadvertised factory-to-dealer cash. Discount financing typically requires qualifying credit, too, and incentives may vary by region and trim level; automakers may also change them later in the month. In sum: Your discounts may vary, so check with your local dealer for specifics.

More From Cars.com:

• Inventory Shortage Leaves Little Room for Haggling; Here Are 5 Other Ways to Save on Your Car Purchase
• Inventory Shortage Update: Should You Wait to Buy a Car?
• How Long Will the Vehicle Inventory Shortage Last?
• What Are the Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2022?
• 2022 Ram 1500 Rebel G/T: Max Towing and Daily Driving

Related Video:

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.