TrueSavings— Eight Great Vehicles for Tailgating

Published: November 11, 2015

Tailgating season is upon us, so be sure your vehicle is equip to haul not only your entire family, but your cooking gear too! These eight vehicles are just what you’re looking for to transport a barbecue and lounge chairs to the big game. Fans know that game-day activities begin in the parking lot, and these eight vehicles will make sure your gathering goes off without a hitch.

Whether you're looking for a pickup truck with room in the bed to carry a tailgating tent, barbecue grill, and a portable table and chairs, or a sport/utility vehicle to bring your friends as well as their coolers full of food and drinks, these vehicles are sure to suit your needs.

If your tailgating preferences have you shopping for a hard-working, heavy-hauling pickup truck or a utility vehicle that's more flexible for both people and cargo, these deals offer something for every tailgater. The national market average for these vehicles demonstrates a range of discounts off Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing (MSRP) equaling as much as 17.6 percent or as much as $6,246 off these great tailgate transporters.

If you're planning to spend every weekend until snowfall prevents you from celebrating your football team in a parking lot somewhere, TrueCar, which powers the USPTA Auto Buying Program, is sharing info on some of the very best prices we can find to help you get the best deal on your next new tailgating vehicle. If you'll be new-car shopping within the next couple weeks, keep these party-perfect vehicles in mind as you do your research. Contribute a 20 percent down payment, and our data will show what your monthly payment might be when financed for 72 months at a 2.5 percent APR.

We also display fuel economy figures to help you compare what each vehicle could cost at the pump, so you'll know how much you've got left to spend on party food. And while we usually trim our list to five great deals, we’ve expanded the selection to include eight choices for those football fans looking for the ultimate tailgating vehicle.

Need the cargo space of a pickup truck? Consider the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500.

Ford’s F-Series remains the best-selling pickup in 2015, with about 124,000 more units sold compared to GM’s Chevy Silverado, the segment’s second best seller. Completely redesigned this year, the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 two-wheel-drive pickup truck bears a possible savings of $6,246 and a market average of $29,154. That potential 17.6 percent discount off the $35,400 MSRP for XLT trim with SuperCab and 6.5-foot-long bed equals a $349 monthly payment after 20 percent down. Thanks to its lightweight aluminum-alloy body and 325-horsepower/2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, this two-wheel-drive truck promises super fuel economy of 19 MPG city, 26 MPG highway, and 22.3 MPG combined.

The 4x2 2015 Ram 1500 offers a potential discount of up to 17.3 percent and a monthly payment of about $315. That translates into a possible savings of as much as $5,501, bringing the MSRP of Ram’s 1500 work truck with long bed and regular cab from $31,780 down to a market average price of $26,279 when equipped in SLT trim. The Ram pickup truck seats up to three in the regular cab and offers plenty of storage, creature comforts, a standard 305-horsepower/3.6-liter V-6 engine, and fuel economy of 20 MPG city, 28 MPG highway, and 23.7 MPG combined.

Squeezing into a smaller parking space? Maybe one of these utility vehicles is a better play!

With room for the entire team, the three-row, seven-passenger 2015 Mazda CX-9 is the largest utility vehicle in Mazda’s lineup, but still boasts Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom” performance. Underhood, the CX-9 is driven by a 273-horsepower/3.7-liter V-6 engine promising 16 MPG city,22MPG highway with front-wheel drive. With a market average price of $25,687 in Sport trim and an estimated monthly payment of $308, Mazda’s efficient 4x2 large utility vehicle currently offers a competitive potential discount of 16.8 percent or $5,178 off its $30,865 MSRP.

Recently redesigned with sleek modern styling, the midsize 2015 Jeep Cherokee utility vehicle delivers Jeep’s trademark performance, along with user-friendly connectivity and more than 60 safety features. Subtract its potential 15.3 percent discount -- or up to $4,294 savings -- from its $28,090 MSRP, and you could drive away with a 4x4 Jeep Cherokee in Latitude trim for as little as $23,796. The 2015 Jeep Cherokee provides seating for five plus storage in the wayback that holds up to a maximum of 54.9 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats, with as much as 24.8 to 29.7 cubic feet behind the sliding rear seat. An easy-on-the-wallet monthly payment of $285 will let you slip right into Jeep's Trail-Rated 4x4 off-roader. Fuel economy is rated at 21 MPG city, 28 MPG highway, 24.3 MPG combined.

The five-seat 2015 Chevrolet Equinox crossover is powered by a 301-horsepower/3.6-liter V-6 engine, offers as much as 31.4 cubic feet of storage, and features Chevrolet’s touch-screen-enhanced MyLink radio system. Ideal for large groups on the go, this economical people mover boasts a super affordable 14.5 percent discount, which translates to a possible $3,681 savings — bringing the national market average price of Chevrolet’s front-wheel-drive midsize utility vehicle from an MSRP of $25,395 in LS trim down to a very affordable $21,714 — or about $260 per month after a 20 percent down payment, the most affordable on this list. Fuel economy is rated at 22 MPG city, 32 MPG highway, 26.6 MPG combined.

The functional 2015 Dodge Journey seats five (or seven with an optional third-row seat) and boasts a 14.0 percent discount. That translates to a potential $3,857 savings -- bringing the national market average price of Dodge’s midsize front-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle from an MSRP of $27,590 down to $23,733. Offer a 20 percent down payment, and your payments could be around $284 each month for the Journey in Crossroad trim. Need flexible room for people and their stuff? The midsize Dodge Journey boasts 67.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row. Five-seat models have 39.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row, while seven-seat models have 37 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 10.7 cubic feet behind the third row. Fuel economy is rated at 19 MPG city.26 MPG highway, 22.3 MPG combined.

The midsize 2015 GMC Terrain utility vehicle is well equipped with a premium interior cabin and plenty of standard features. This front-wheel-drive Terrain in top-of-the-line Denali trim boasts a national market average is $31,722; that’s 12.9 percent -- or a $4,693 -- less than the suggested MSRP of $36,415. With a 20 percent down payment, monthly payments are $380 per month. Fuel economy is rated at 22 MPG city, 32 MPG highway, 26.6 miles per gallon combined. The Terrain boasts 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 63.9 cubic feet of cargo space available behind the front row of seats, providing ample room for up to five as well as plenty of tailgating gear inside, while functional roof cargo rails make it easy to tie a table to the top.

Cadillac’s compact luxury utility vehicle appeals to SUV drivers who want a smaller vehicle, with a smooth yet powerful ride, and a plethora of luxury and comfort features. The 2015 Cadillac SRX is powered by a 308-horsepower/3.6-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission promising fuel economy of 17 MPG city and 24 MPG highway. The 2015 Cadillac SRX boasts a 12.4 percent discount, which translates to a whopping potential savings of $4,779 -- bringing the national market average price from an MSRP of $38,600 in base trim down to $33,821. Offer a 20 percent down payment and your payments could be around $405 each month.

It doesn’t matter whether your team is Big 10 or Pac-12: these TrueSavings deals are available from coast to coast and demonstrate potential savings on new vehicles based on the possible discount from the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Keep in mind that incentive offers are subject to change by region and should be confirmed with your dealer, as they can affect your final price.

TrueSavings— Great Savings on Vehicles for Tailgating
Year Make Model Trim Segment / MSRP / Market Avg* / $ Discount / % Discount / Est. Monthly Payment** / City / Hwy / Comb MPG
2015 Ford F-150 2WD SuperCab 6-1/2 Ft Box XLT Large Truck / $35,400 / $29,154 / $6,246 / 17.6% / $349 / 19 / 26 / 22.3
2015 Ram 1500 SLT, Regular Cab, 4X2, Long Bed Large Truck / $31,780 / $26,279 / $5,501 / 17.3% / $315 / 20 / 28 / 23.7
2015 Mazda CX-9 Sport 2WD Large SUV / $30,865 / $25,687 / $5,178 / 16.8% / $308 / 17 / 24 / 20.2
2015 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4x4 Midsize SUV / $28,090 / $23,796 / $4,294 / 15.3% / $285 / 21 / 28 / 24.3
2015 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LS Midsize SUV / $25,395 / $21,714 / $3,681 / 14.5% / $260 / 22 / 32 / 26.6
2015 Dodge Journey Crossroad FWD Midsize SUV / $27,590 / $23,733 / $3,857 / 14.0% / $284 / 19 / 26 / 22.3
2015 GMC Terrain FWD Denali Midsize SUV / $36,415 / $31,722 / $4,693 / 12.9% / $380 / 22 / 32 / 26.6
2015 Cadillac SRX Base FWD Luxury SUV / $38,600 / $33,821 / $4,779 / 12.4% / $405 / 17 / 24 / 20.2
*“Market Average” is based on the national average of recent vehicle transactions, including destination and delivery charges after incentives that are subject to change. This does not include tax, title, licensing, documentation or processing fees, other state and governmental charges and/or fees or any other charges or fees allowed by law. **Estimated monthly payments are based on a 2.5% APR for 72 months with 20% down on the current market average price, and excludes sales tax and other fees and charges that may vary by region or state. Actual APR may be subject to credit approval and other factors. These examples are for information purposes only, and are not an offer to lend. See dealer/lender for details, including actual available offers.

Our last edition of “TrueSavings” shared great offers for six cars available in orange for Halloween. If you had your eye on one of those fun car deals, keep on looking, as some of those great discounts may still be available in the upcoming weeks at a Certified Dealer near you.

Ready To Go Shopping for a New Truck or SUV This Tailgating Season?

This edition of "TrueSavings" demonstrates eight great deals available on trucks and utility vehicles that could be great for tailgating, based on the possible discount from the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). These choices may include potential savings from such special offers as manufacturer’s rebates or cash incentives, which helps place them among the greatest savings opportunities for new car shoppers over the upcoming weeks.

As always, here are some really important things to remember:

• Each edition of “TrueSavings” highlights the top discounts off the MSRP down to a particular trim level, since potential discounts can vary greatly between the trim levels. In this edition, the 2015 Ford F-150 2WD SuperCab in XLT trim was the most highly discounted model of the entire Ford truck lineup in relation to its MSRP.
• “Market Average” is based on the national average of recent vehicle transactions. This includes destination and delivery charges after incentives that are subject to change, but does not include tax, title, licensing, documentation or processing fees, other state and governmental charges and/or fees, or any other charges or fees allowed by law. This is a national average, so you might find different pricing based on sales in your local area at TrueCar/USPTA Auto Buying Program. Be sure to visit TrueCar/USPTA Auto Buying Program to view local pricing on any car and to be connected with your local Certified Dealer who will provide you additional pricing information for the vehicle you are researching.
• Deals are limited to inventory on hand, so your Certified Dealer must confirm that actual inventory, including your preferred options and colors, is in stock.

Once you’ve chosen your desired tailgating transportation, request a Certificate to get your negotiation-free Guaranteed Savings* (available in most states) and streamline the buying process to save you both time and money.

*Guaranteed Savings not available in all states. In these states, a Target Price is shown, which is a market-based example of what you can reasonably expect to pay for your vehicle as configured. Your configured vehicle may not be available or in-stock at the Certified Dealer.