Best run-out car deals this week

With some well-known models in run-out and others protecting their turf against new arrivals, there are some good factory deals to be had this week.

Mitsubishi Challenger 4WD 2.5L diesel manual $33,990 drive-away

Mitsubishi’s new Triton might be grabbing the headlines, but the Challenger heavy duty SUV is the one in the beancounters’ crosshairs at the moment.

With a new Challenger around the corner, the maker has taken the knife to the run-out model. At $33,990, that’s roughly $12,000 off the normal price. The Challenger won’t win any awards for comfort or cornering ability but it’s an honest, no-frills family-sized SUV backed by a five-year, 100,000km warranty. For the money you get a 2.5-litre diesel and you shift gears yourself. The auto costs another $3000. Equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, side steps and roof rails, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors and rear view camera.

Hyundai ix35 Active auto $28,990

With the bigger and better Tucson taking up the fight to Mazda’s top-selling CX-5, Hyundai still has a few ix35 SUVs on the books. Till the end of the month it is selling an Active special edition for $28,990 drive-away with a “free” automatic upgrade and $2000 worth of extras, including heated leather seats, alloy wheels, folding side mirrors, a rear-view camera and fog lamps. Usually an auto ix35 Active would cost just over $33,000 on the road, so the saving is roughly $5000 (plus the $2000 worth of extras). The ix35 has Bluetooth, cruise control, downhill braking and hill-start assist, a rear-view camera and rear sensors. The ix35’s engine is a little breathless and it’s not as convincing on the road as some rivals, but it comes with a 5-year warranty.

Volvo S60 T4 Kinetic $40,888 drive-away

Volvo is one of the few brands that have gone backwards in this year’s sales race. In what’s on track to be a record year, the Swedish brand’s sales are down almost 15 per cent, largely due to an ageing line-up. With most carmakers starting their new model year in September, the brand is clearing out its 2015 stock. There are drive-away deals on the V40 and XC60, but the biggest saving is on the S60 T4 Kinetic sedan, which drops $14,000 to $40,888 drive-away. Powered by a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder, the Kinetic is Volvo-safe, with automated emergency braking, parking sensors and camera.