When the Unhaggle deals get hot, Graeme Fletcher looks at the combined discounts, resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars.
Here, we look at three very different vehicles that have one thing in common — a healthy dose of cash on the hood. The hot deals are on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring, 2020 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4×4 and 2020 Hyundai Tucson Preferred. All arrive with all-wheel-drive, or, in the case of the F-150, a 4×4 system.
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $48,295
Chrysler Canada Incentive*: $7,000 ($750 applied after tax)
Unhaggle Savings: $750
Total Savings: $7,750
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,025
Total Before Tax: $42,656
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica gets updated styling inside and out. More importantly, it earns the latest Uconnect5 infotainment system. Along with a sharp 10.1-inch touchscreen comes Amazon Alexa integration and wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also processes the commands five times faster than before. It was already one of the best systems on the market; it’s even better now, although making satellite radio a $295 option is odd.
What’s not so smart is the Touring model requires the SafetyTec Group ($1,345) to get what should be standard fare — blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and auto braking, and rear park assist.
Pacifica’s cabin is well-crafted and comes with the right sort of family flexibility. The large sliding doors and tailgate give easy access to the seats and cargo area. The Stow ’n Go second and third-row seating makes reconfiguring things a snap. There’s 915 litres behind the third row; and 2,478L with it folded. Dropping the middle row opens it up to 3,979L.
The Touring model arrives with a 3.6-litre V6 that pushes 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic and all four wheels. The combination is rewarding brisk and sure-footed. In typical driving conditions, the all-wheel-drive (AWD) system drives the front wheels; however, if it picks up wheelspin, wet weather, or large steering inputs it automatically engages AWD. The combination means it’s more than just a foul-weather friend.
Likewise, the Pacifica takes a balanced approach to the suspension. It is comfortably compliant over rough roads and on the highway yet manages to handle a quick corner in stride.
The featured 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Touring has a combined Unhaggle discount of $7,664 and a pre-tax price of $42,656.
2020 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4×4
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $59,549
Ford Canada Incentive*: $8,500
Unhaggle Savings: $3,000
Total Savings: $11,500
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,080
Total Before Tax: $50,129
The thirteenth-generation Ford F-150 heads into 2020 without change — the fully redesigned 2021 model is already at dealers now. In this case, the featured Lariat SuperCrew is well equipped and includes 10-way leather-trimmed heated/cooled front seats along with power adjustable pedals, meaning it fits drivers of all sizes. Other niceties include a 110-volt outlet and Ford’s Sync3 infotainment system. Move rearward and the SuperCrew has plenty of space and a 60/40 flip-up rear seat that allows bulky items to be stowed in a lockable area. Out back is a five-foot-six box.
Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard and brings many of the key safety aids. The Lariat also includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The Lariat arrives with a 2.7L twin-turbo V6 that pushes a healthy 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque through a ten-speed automatic transmission with eco, normal, tow/haul, snow/wet and sport modes. It drives all four wheels. The system is of the part-time variety, as the 4×4 high setting is really only designed to add traction on snowy or icy roads; four-low should be reserved for off-roading. As such, in normal, dry driving conditions, it is best left in rear-drive to prevent drivetrain wind-up. As equipped, the Lariat can tow up to 3,447 kilograms.
In spite of its size, the F-150 SuperCrew is fairly easy to wheel around in tight parking lot, it just needs a big slot to park. Likewise, the suspension, while designed to pull heavy loads, is compliant enough for everyday driving. The nit lies in the solid rear axle — the back-end likes to washboard out of line if the road gets rough mid-corner.
The F-150 Lariat SuperCrew with 4×4 and a 5-foot-6 box has a combined Unhaggle discount of $11,500 and a pre-tax sticker of $50,129.
2020 Hyundai Tucson Preferred
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $30,249
Hyundai Canada Incentive*: $3,500
Unhaggle Savings: $250
Total Savings: $3,750
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $1,940
Total Before Tax: $28,439
The third-generation Hyundai Tucson remains unchanged for both 2020 and 2021 model years. The reason is the 2022 model is all-new and will hit dealer showrooms in the spring of 2021. If having the absolute latest is not paramount, there are some good deals on the 2020 Tucson Preferred model featured here. It’s a classy affair that brings the likes of heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel and a seven-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. It’s also surprisingly room. The rear seat accommodates a 6-foot-2 riders while leaving 877L of cargo space. Fold the back seat down to open up 1,754L.
All models arrive with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with auto braking and lane-departure warning with keep assist. The Preferred model adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The featured model arrives with a 2.0L four-cylinder that works with a six-speed automatic to drive all four wheels. The 161 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque is enough to satisfy most driving situations even if it does take its time to respond to a stab at the gas. The up-level 2.4L unit makes thing happen faster thanks to the 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. As a $2,200 option, it is worth considering.
The all-wheel-drive system is smart and alters according to the drive mode selected. It also features a lock mode for those more trying times. The smart part is it unlocks on a tight turn, which eliminates driveline wind-up.
The Tucson has balanced ride and handling. On the highway, the ride is refined, yet when pushed through a series of switchbacks it dials out unwanted body roll. The AWD setup then helps to quell understeer. The steering is, likewise, precise and offers good feedback.
The Hyundai Tucson Preferred arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $3,750 and a pre-tax sticker of $28,439.
Transport Canada lists does not list any recalls for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica or 2020 Hyundai Tucson. There are six recalls on the F150. The first (#2020-454) states, “On certain vehicles, an electrical problem with the rearview camera could cause it not to work properly. As a result, the rearview image may be distorted or not display at all.” Dealers will replace the rearview camera.
The second (#2020-144) says, “On certain vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach. This could cause the transmission not to shift gears when the shifter is moved.” Dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and re-seat if necessary. Ford advises that you should apply the parking brake each time the vehicle is parked, until the recall repairs are completed.
The third (#2020-071) states, “On certain trucks, there may be a problem with the software that controls the daytime running lights (DRLs). When the DRLs are on and the master lighting switch is rotated from the “Autolamp” position to the “Headlamp on” position, the DRLs do not lower to parking light brightness.” Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software.
The fourth (#2019-666) states, “On certain trucks, the bead area of the spare tire may have been damaged when it was mounted onto the rim. Over time, this could cause the bead wire to separate and may result in tire failure.” Dealers will replace the tire.
The fifth (#2019-568) says, “On certain trucks, a connection on the battery positive terminal could come loose. This can result in a loss of instrument panel displays, braking or steering assist, or cause the engine to stall.” Dealers will clean and tighten the positive battery cable as needed.
The sixth (#2019-437) says, “On certain vehicles, seats with a manual recliner may not meet the strength requirements of Canadian regulations. A seatback with reduced strength may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash.” Dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger seat recliners and replace the structures as required.
The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not tested the 2021 Pacifica featured here, but it should mirror the performance of the 2020 model — it earns the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick when equipped with HID projector headlights. It has Good crash ratings in all tests except the passenger side small offset test where it gets an Acceptable. The 2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew gets Good crash ratings in all tests including the driver and passenger side small offset tests, but has a Poor score for headlight performance. The Hyundai Tucson has Good crash ratings in all tests. What stops it from being a Top Safety Pick is the Poor rating for headlight performance — the top Ultimate model with LED headlights does have the Top Safety Pick designation.
The projected resale value of these three vehicles in 2023, after being driven an average of 20,000-km/year, is $19,950 for the Chrysler Pacifica Touring AWD, $34,400 for the Ford F150 Lariat SuperCrew short-box 4×4 and $14,450 for the Hyundai Tucson Preferred AWD.
