You can find discounts around the $10,000 mark on these 3 popular rides

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Today it pays to shop smart — because doing so can net you deals on some of the most desirable rides. The slowing of the market due to COVID-19 has all manufacturers using incentives to spur sales.

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For example, Kia is offering up to $5,500 off on some models; and Acura has cars with $3,500 in the trunk. However, here are three particularly eye-popping propositions.

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You can find discounts around the $10,000 mark on these 3 popular rides Back to video

2020 Ford Edge SEL AWD

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Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $40,299
Ford Canada Incentive*: $6,500
Unhaggle Savings: $750
Total Savings: $7,250
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,030
Total Before Tax: $35,079

After a mild refresh last year, the 2020 Ford Edge remains unchanged. The cabin is well-appointed and comes with everything expected, including Ford’s Sync3 infotainment system with an eight-inch screen. It works well and cooperates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The missing item is a heated steering wheel, hidden in a $500 package.

The five-seat Edge has above-average comfort in all seating positions and lots of cargo space. With the seats up, there’s 1,110 litres; and 2,079L with the rear seat folded flat. The towing capacity is rated at 1,587 kg when the $500 tow pack is added.

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Ford’s comprehensive Co-Pilot360 suite of safety aids is standard on the featured SEL. It brings blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and auto braking. Sadly, adaptive cruise control remains on the option list.

The Edge’s 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo-four delivers 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque when burning premium fuel. It works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a solid all-wheel-drive system (it is optional, but included with the featured deal). The all-wheel-drive system does a good job of quelling unwanted wheelspin and it remains transparent to the driver as it works.

The Edge’s ride quality is above-average, making light work of a rough road. Likewise, the handling is keen thanks to the electronic aids — brake-based torque vectoring improves the turn-in response from the nicely weighted steering. This gives the Edge a reassuring feel to its drive.

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The Ford Edge SEL AWD arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $7,250 and a pre-tax price of $35,079.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4×4

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $59,598
GMC Canada Incentive*: $7,750
Unhaggle Savings: $3,496
Total Savings: $11,246
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,030
Total Before Tax: $50,382

After its full rework last year, the GMC Sierra pretty much carries over into 2020, although there is a new diesel engine option. The featured SLT Crew Cab’s cabin demonstrates how a truck can be done to maximum effect — the switches are large and readily accessed and there’s lots of comfort and space for all riders. One neat feature is the MultiPro tailgate. It has six functions. The primary tailgate has a secondary tailgate contained within. The combination provides a lift-up cargo stop, a drop-down to ease access to the box, a convertible step, tiered storage spaces, and on it goes.

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The Sierra’s Enhanced Driver Alert Package I ($1,160) includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-change alert and front/rear park assist; however, given current trends, it’s a lot of coin for equipment that should be standard in this snack bracket. The upside is Teen Driver. It automatically turns on the safety systems (when equipped) and gives a report card on how the truck was driven.

The SLT’s 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 pushes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque — 300-lb-ft is available between 2,000 and 5,600 rpm. The brawny V8 drives all four wheels through a ten-speed automatic when the 4×4 with its two-speed transfer case is taken. The system has 2WD, Auto, 4WD high and 4WD low. The combo brings a maximum 5,307-kg tow capacity.

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While the Sierra handles well on a smooth road and offers lots of feedback, the rear leaf springs make it feel as though the back end is skipping across the ripples of rough pavement when encountered mid-corner.

The GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4×4 has a combined Unhaggle discount of $11,246 and a pre-tax price of $50,382.

2020 Ram 1500 Classic SLT Crew Cab 5.7 Hemi 4×4

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $58,630
Ram Canada Incentive*: $14,657
Total Before Tax: $43,973

When Ram introduced the redesigned 1500 pickup last year, it opted to continue building the previous truck at the same time, and so the Classic was born. It is nicely equipped, but it is missing some of the safety equipment the 2019 rework added.

While there is a V6 engine, the only real route to go is the 5.7L V8 Hemi. It twists out 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, which provides effortless hauling and that rewarding Hemi growl when the gas pedal is exercised. It works with an eight-speed automatic and a two-speed transfer case to drive all four wheels. There are 2WD-high, 4WD-high and a 4WD-low setting with a lock mode. The Crew Cab has a towing capacity of 4,595 kg when properly equipped.

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Of the current crop of pickups, the Ram has the most civilized ride thanks to the adoption of a rear five-link setup with coil springs and heavy-duty shocks. The combination smooths rough pavement well, and it is less inclined to washboard mid-corner when the road gets rough. Likewise, the steering is crisp and predictable with good feedback.

The 2020 Ram Classic is offered with a 25-per-cent discount off the retail price on all models. The deal is the 1500 Classic SLT Crew Cab 5.7 Hemi with 4×4 and a 6-foot-4 box. Adding heated seats and the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system adds almost $4,000, but it, too, gets discounted. In the end, it takes a $58K truck and transforms it into a $44,000 unit — you’ll find a $14,657 discount in the 6-foot-4 box!

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Transport Canada lists two recalls for the Ford Edge. The first (#2020-454) says “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 (#2020-434) says “the start-stop accumulator in the transmission may have missing or loose bolts. As a result, transmission fluid could leak and eventually stop working.” Dealers will replace the accumulator. There are only 13 units affected.

The GMC Sierra has six recalls. The first (#2019-575) says “after a crash where a front seat belt pretensioner deploys, the carpet could catch fire.” The dealer will modify the seat belt pretensioner bracket. The second (#2020-079) states “the bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers could break under load. If this happens, the brake caliper could detach.” The dealer will replace the brake caliper bolts. The third (#2019-631) says “the nut that attaches the positive battery cable to the alternator could loosen. This could affect the electrical connection, resulting in an engine stall and/or arcing.” The dealer will clean and secure the connection. If the nut, cable or terminal are damaged, the dealer will replace the parts. The fourth (#20-530) concerns certain Continental tires with specific date codes and mold numbers. They may have been cured too long. As a result, the sidewall could crack or the tread and belts could separate. Dealers will inspect and replace the affected tires. The fifth (#2019-589) says “the high-pressure fuel pump could be missing a part that helps control the pressure. As a result, the pump can crack.” Dealers will replace the pump. Only 32 units are affected. The last (#2020-505) says “the drive shaft may not have been properly welded. As a result, the drive shaft could break while driving and cause a loss of power to the wheels.” Dealers will replace the defective drive shaft. Only five units are affected.

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The Ram 1500 has six recalls. The first (#2020-472) says “the driver-side rearview mirror glass may not be properly attached.” Dealers will replace the mirror glass. The second (#2020-456) states, “there could be a problem with the front seat belt retractors. As a result, the seat belts may not work as designed in a crash.” Dealers will replace the front seat belts. The third (#2020-401) says “On certain trucks with adjustable pedals, the accelerator pedal could get stuck on the all-weather floor mat.” Dealers will modify the all-weather floor mat. You should remove the driver’s all-weather floor mat until this recall is completed. The fourth (#2020-154) says “the nuts that attach the windshield wiper arms may not have been tightened properly.” Dealers will tighten properly. The fifth (#2020-145) says “the rearview camera image may be displayed even after the transmission is shifted out of reverse.” Dealers will update the software. The last (#2019-263) says “An internal error in the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) could cause the airbag system to turn off.” The dealer will inspect the Occupant Restraint Controller. If fault codes are found, the ORC will be replaced. If no fault codes are present, the ORC software will be updated.

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Ford Edge Good crash test ratings for all tests, but a Poor score for headlight performance. The GMC Sierra Crew Cab gets Good scores for all crash tests except the small front overlap test on the passenger side — it gets a Marginal. Headlight performance is rated as Poor. While the reworked Ram 1500 is a Top Safety Pick+, the Classic does not fare so well. It gets Good scores except for the small front overlap test on the driver’s side and roof strength tests where it is rated Marginal. The headlight performance is also Marginal.

The projected resale value of these three rides in 2023, after being driven an average of 20,000 km/year, is $17,950 for the Ford Edge SEL AWD; about $32,650 for the GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab 4×4; and around $26,600 for the 1500 Classic SLT Crew Cab with 5.7 Hemi 4×4 with heated seats and upgraded infotainment system.