(June 15, 2015) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar finds that June is the best month for great deals on midsize sedans, and that among the segment's many outstanding models the hybrid version of Hyundai's Sonata is available at a particularly attractive 17.8 percent discount off the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).

Over the last three years June has proven to be the best time to buy a midsize car, with discounts averaging 8.2 percent off MSRP, based on a TrueCar analysis.

This year's drop in average gasoline prices — down 23 percent from a year ago to $2.80 nationwide per gallon as of June 14, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report — has further enhanced the appeal of compact and midsize crossover utility vehicles at the expense of family sedans, triggering higher discounts on midsize cars.

"We see the pace of the secular shift from sedans to utilities increasing this year, with compact utilities outselling midsize sedans for the first time ever," said John Krafcik, president of TrueCar. "These massive midsize sedan discounts show how aggressive carmakers must be to balance declining sedan demand with their high inventories."

From 2000 to 2013 the midsize car segment led in terms of market share. So far this year, mass-market midsize cars' share of sales has fallen to 15.5 percent through May from 16.7 percent in the same period a year ago. By comparison, TrueCar estimates that compact utilities will account for 15.9 percent of total new light vehicle sales this year to reign as the industry's biggest segment.

TrueCar finds that overall incentive spending is up 1.5 percent year-to-date for the entire industry from the same period in 2014. This compares to a 9.9 percent increase in incentive spending by manufacturers aimed at getting consumers into midsize cars.

Ford's Fusion S sedan follows the Sonata Hybrid, selling this month at an average discount of 15.3 percent off MSRP. Kia's Optima Hybrid LX is close behind, currently selling for an average discount of 15.2 percent off MSRP.

Published monthly, the "TrueSavings" report analyzes recent transaction prices and identifies opportunities for consumer savings.

"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.

Below is a snapshot of some of the best manufacturer lease and finance deals currently available in certain regions: