17(ish) car companies that offer military discounts

By Megan Wells, Police1 Contributor

Did you know, as an active duty or military veteran, you can take advantage of discounts from more than a dozen vehicle manufacturers? Play your cards right and you could be saving thousands of dollars on your auto purchase, especially if the dealership lets you combine available military discounts with other deals like trade-in programs. Here is a list of all the car companies that offer military discounts.

Highest dollar-value discounts

Dollar for dollar, these car brands offer the highest discounts for military personnel:

1. Acura offers $750 toward any 2015 or newer Acura. A few stipulations: you must finance through Acura Financial Services, and the deal is only effective within 180 days of separation from active service. The deal is currently valid through March 31, 2016.
2. Mitsubishi offers up to $750 in military rebates. This combines a $500 rebate on select models with a matching $250 down payment assistance program. The offer is currently valid through March 31, 2016.
3. The General Motors auto group offers discounts for its Chevrolet, Buick and GMC products (sorry, Cadillac lovers). GM touts that you can get even more discounts by combing military discounts with other current offers. The 2016 Chevy Cruze Limited LTZ model’s military discount starts at $900. If you combine other offers, the savings start to add up. Refer to the GM site for an idea of how much you can save.
4. Lexus is technically in the Toyota/Scion group, but Lexus offers a discount $500 greater than its sister brands (probably due to its luxury reputation). Military personnel looking to purchase a Lexus can take advantage of $1,000 in rewards for purchasing a new or L/Certified vehicles.

The $500 club

The following automakers all offer $500 discounts for military personnel. The decision-maker among them lies in your vehicle preference.

1. Ford and Lincoln offer service members a $500 cash bonus for a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle through the Ford Military Appreciation program.
2. Eligible Honda customers can receive a $500 discount on 2015 or 2016 Honda vehicles until March 31, 2016. While Honda and Acura are technically a combined entity, their military discounts are different, so we’re mentioning them separately.
3. Jeep, Fiat, Chrysler and Dodge all offer $500 military bonus cash on select models. This auto group also pairs with Military Auto Source for additional incentives if you’re purchasing a vehicle while overseas.
4. Toyota and Scion both offer a $500 discount for military customers.
5. Hyundai offers a $500 discount on eligible 2015 and 2016 model vehicles. Sister company Kia keeps their discounts separate from Hyundai’s offer.
6. If you’d like to take advantage of Mazda’s military discount ($500 bonus cash), you’ll need to purchase a 2015 Mazda CX-9 or any 2016 Mazda model.

Discounts for service members stationed abroad

This category is definitely cornered by luxury automakers. If you’d like to splurge on a vehicle, do it before your deployment ends.

1. Audi offers discounts for active duty military, civilian and DOD employees stationed outside of the United States. The program allows for shipping of the vehicles back to the United States as a part of the incentive.
2. Jaguar and Land Rover are two more luxury automakers that provide special pricing for U.S. military sales. Both Jaguar and Land Rover discounts work for U.S. military stationed abroad.
3. BMW and Mini is another auto cluster that offers discounts specific to U.S. service personnel located overseas. The discounts include tax-free purchasing, international warranty and fixed prices worldwide, among others.

The ‘talk to a representative’ discounts

Figuring out exactly what you’ll save with the following auto brands will require a bit more homework. Factors like where you live and what vehicle model you’re interested in will be necessary to find what discounts are offered.

1. Nissan and Infiniti are a little more nuanced. To find clear answers about discounts through Nissan or Infiniti, you’ll need to speak with a dealership representative directly. You’ll also need to verify your military experience with the dealership up front.
2. If a Subaru is your car of choice, reach out to your local dealership to see what discounts they can offer. While we couldn’t find a global or national military program, certain local Subaru dealerships offer military discounts. Take for instance the location in Keene, N.H., that offers discounts for the purchase or lease of a new Subaru. Subaru
3. Kia provides a list of year-round deals for armed forces, but the discounts can vary by location and model. You’ll need to refer to their site for specific savings. Kia also touts major deals to honor Veterans Day, meaning there may be added savings if you purchase a car in November.

Honorable mention

1. Volvo offers military customers 50 percent off extra equipment on particular vehicle models. If Volvo is your brand but you’re not satisfied with a floor model, you’ll be able to stretch your dollar further with their military discount.

Always ask about military discounts. Offers change quickly, and each dealership might offer something greater than the national deals we’ve found. These discounts are just the start. Be sure to ask about additional deals you can combine with your military discount for added savings.