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Best end of Japanese financial year deals: SUVs

The Isuzu M-UX is on runout with a new model due to launch later this year.

There are still some very attractive bargains in SUVs despite a tight Australian market with some models in poor supply.

For the best deals, smart new-SUV buyers should also be aware that the end of the Japanese financial year (EOJFY) this month creates a great opportunity to find their new car. So now is the best time to buy a Japanese SUV – or any new Japanese vehicle – as car-makers quit their stock to make way for a new model year.

Some of the excellent cut-price bargains include savings of up to almost $11,000, and others come with bonuses such as complete tow kits.

Here’s some of the best deals from Japanese car-makers to make it very attractive to get you behind the wheel. Check CarsGuide regularly for specials as bargains could be as close as today or this weekend at your local car dealer.

The biggest saving seen this month has been from Isuzu Ute that is showing its MU-X seven-seat SUV the door to make way for an all-new model later this year. Buy the LS-M seven-seat 4x4 wagon for $46,990 including on-road costs and you’ll save a blistering $10,641 - enough to fuel a trip around Australia six times!

The extra bait is the free tow kit that comes with the 4x4 models. This is the tow bar, wiring harness and plug, and the electronic brake controller. No excuse not to buy a caravan.

The bonus is also available on the MU-X LS-T that is now $54,990, saving $9260. There is also the LS-U at $50,990 (normally $60,199) which is a healthy $9209 off the normal price. This also includes the tow kit.

The biggest saving seen this month has been from Isuzu. The biggest saving seen this month has been from Isuzu.

For a buyer who wants the seven seats and the rugged build of the MU-X but doesn’t need 4x4, there is a 2WD version of the LS-T at $47,990 drive-away, saving $8463. This is not eligible for the tow kit bonus.

Mitsubishi has really embraced the end of the 2021 financial year with a string of big savings on nearly all its models. The biggest savings come in the seven-seat Pajero with the GLX version cut by almost $10,000 at $51,490 drive-away.

The Pajero hasn’t changed heaps in the past decade yet remains durable, comfortable, reliable and affordable to make an attractive big wagon for the family for the suburbs or towing a van on the open road.

For more gear, the GLS adds leather, parking sensors and a few other items for a drive-away price of $58,490, down $8515 on its normal price. The top-spec Exceed is now $61,990, discounted by $8210.

For buyers wanting a different 4x4 wagon, the Pajero Sport – similar name, different vehicle – now starts at $47,490 for the five-seater, off $6165 from the normal price. The GLS is a step up and has seven seats and things like sat-nav for $53,740 (discounted by $5011) and the flagship Exceed is $60,990, down $3566. This version adds leather, premium audio and a digital instrument panel over the GLS.

Mitsubishi has really embraced the end of the 2021 financial year with a string of big savings on nearly all its models. Mitsubishi has really embraced the end of the 2021 financial year with a string of big savings on nearly all its models.

Mitsubishi has also applied the scissors to the Outlander price list, with savings around $4000 available, and even some money off the growing favourite, the PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) version.

The Outlander starts with the ES manual with a 2.0-litre engine and front-wheel drive and five seats at $30,490 drive-away, saving $3717, but the better buy is the automatic with the bigger 2.4-litre engine for $32,990, saving $3925.

The Black Edition ($35,490, down $4168) with seven seats is also a good buy as it looks sharp with its exterior black-out trim and black wheels. There’s also a fuel-efficient diesel available in the Exceed trim that is now $49,990 drive-away, a saving of $3665.

The PHEV runs off electric and/or petrol and is a real fuel miser when used in city and suburban conditions. It is unusual for Mitsubishi to discount this vehicle because demand is strong and growing. It’s now $51,990 including on-road costs, cutting $2173 from the usual price.

Another Japanese car maker who has really embraced the spirit of the end-of-financial-year discounting is Nissan. There are good deals on most models with the biggest on the X-Trail SUV that now starts at $29,990 for the ST manual 2WD, representing a saving of $4920.

This comes with a six-speed manual gearbox and 2.0-litre petrol engine. There is also an automatic version that comes with the bigger 2.5-litre engine at $31,990, down from $36,994 drive-away for a saving of $5004.

There are more features in the ST-L grade including leather upholstery, multi-zone aircon, sat-nav and park sensors. The ST-L has 2WD and the 2.5-litre engine and automatic transmission for $39,490 including on-road costs, saving $3930. The flagship Ti is now $45,490, saving $6300, and comes with all the ST-L goodies with additional active cruise control, premium audio system, LED headlights and sunroof.

Another Japanese car maker who has really embraced the spirit of the end-of-financial-year discounting is Nissan. Another Japanese car maker who has really embraced the spirit of the end-of-financial-year discounting is Nissan.

Nissan can also offer a diesel X-Trail with the TS coming with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and all-wheel drive and priced at $41,996 drive-away.

Always a favourite, the Nissan Qashqai is discounted as part of the EOJFY and starts at $28,290 drive-away for the manual to save buyers $4145 off the normal price. The automatic is $30,290 to save $4229.

There are drive-away deals on other versions but the Midnight Edition is worth a look, mainly because it’s an affordable price and looks quite stunning in its black kit and 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels. It also comes with a heap of safety gear including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning and a surround-view monitor. The Midnight Edition is now $36,740, saving $3739.

Mazda has some selected SUVs on the cutting block with the biggest savings available on the seven-seat CX-9 that starts at $46,990 – saving $4615 – for the Sport with the peppy 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, eight-speed auto and front-wheel drive. This comes with solid safety gear and also has LED headlights, head-up display instrumentation, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and sat-nav.

The more expensive GT version is now $63,990, saving $5885, and has the same drivetrain as the Sport but packs in more features. These include leather upholstery, premium audio, paddle shifters for the auto transmission, and electric sunroof,

Mazda also has some selected SUVs on the cutting block. Mazda also has some selected SUVs on the cutting block.

The mid-range CX-5 also has some variants with price cuts, such as the GT with all-wheel drive and 2.5-litre engine for $49,490, saving $3249, and comes with leather, the upmarket sound system and a sunroof, amongst a host of other items.

There is also the top-shelf Akera version that has the same drivetrain. It’s now $52,490 (saving $2891) drive-away or the turbocharged Akera model that is $55,490 drive-away, discounted by $2553.

For something a tad smaller, there’s Mazda’s city-friendly CX-3 that is available as the Neo Sport manual for $24,990 (save $1501) or the Maxx Sport manual that is $27,990 drive-away, saving $585. Or enough to put fuel in the CX-3 to travel almost 7000km.