The Best Cars to Lease Are Not Always the Ones You Expect
Most "best lease deals" lists just sort by lowest monthly payment. That is a terrible way to shop. A $199/month lease with $5,000 due at signing is not a deal. It is a marketing trick. The real best lease deals are the ones where the total cost over the lease term gives you the most car for your money.
That means looking at three things: residual value (how much value the car holds), money factor (the interest rate equivalent), and manufacturer incentives (rebates and credits that lower your cost). When all three align, you get a genuinely good lease. Here are the models where that is happening in 2026.
Best Compact SUV Leases
Compact SUVs dominate the lease market because they hit the sweet spot of utility, fuel efficiency, and resale value. These are the standouts:
Honda CR-V
The CR-V has been one of the best lease values for years, and 2026 is no different. Honda Financial Services typically offers competitive money factors, and the CR-V's residual value consistently ranks among the highest in its class. You get a practical, reliable SUV with strong resale, which means lower monthly payments. The hybrid version is worth considering too, as it offers better fuel economy with minimal payment increase.
Toyota RAV4
Toyota's lease programs benefit from the RAV4's exceptional resale value. When the residual is high, you pay less in depreciation over the lease term, which directly lowers your payment. The RAV4 Hybrid is particularly compelling: better fuel economy, similar pricing, and Toyota often offers matched or better lease terms on the hybrid compared to the gas model.
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai has been aggressive with lease incentives, and the Tucson benefits from a competitive price point combined with strong rebates. The total cost of a Tucson lease often undercuts Honda and Toyota, though the residual value is slightly lower. If monthly payment is your priority, the Tucson is hard to beat in the compact SUV segment.
Mazda CX-50
Mazda does not always get the attention it deserves in lease discussions, but the CX-50 offers a premium feel at a mainstream price. Residual values are solid, and Mazda's lease programs through Chase Auto have become more competitive. If you want something that feels a step above the typical compact SUV without paying luxury prices, the CX-50 deserves a look.
Best Midsize SUV Leases
Kia Telluride
The Telluride has become one of the most popular family SUVs in America, and for good reason. It offers three rows, a premium interior, and strong resale value. Kia's lease programs have improved significantly, and the Telluride's high residual keeps payments reasonable for a vehicle of this size. Availability can still be tight for popular trims, so plan ahead.
Chevrolet Traverse
GM tends to offer aggressive lease incentives on the Traverse, especially during model year transitions. If you need three rows and want the lowest possible payment in the midsize segment, the Traverse frequently has the best advertised lease deals. Just make sure you compare the total cost (including any due-at-signing amount) rather than just the monthly number.
Best Luxury Leases
Luxury brands often offer the most attractive lease structures because their captive finance companies subsidize residuals and money factors to keep their vehicles accessible. This means you can sometimes lease a luxury vehicle for less total cost than buying a mainstream one.
BMW X3
BMW Financial Services is one of the most aggressive captive lenders in the business. The X3 frequently offers low money factors and strong residual values, making it one of the best luxury leases available. BMW also runs loyalty and conquest incentives that can further reduce your cost. If you are cross-shopping a loaded CR-V or RAV4 against a base X3, the lease math is often closer than you would expect.
Lexus RX
The redesigned RX continues to lease well thanks to Toyota Financial's backing and the RX's strong resale value. The RX 350h hybrid is the sweet spot: lower fuel costs, higher residual, and often similar or identical lease terms to the gas-only version. Lexus also tends to offer competitive loyalty programs for returning lessees.
Genesis GV70
Genesis has been quietly offering some of the best luxury lease values in the market. The GV70 competes directly with the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC but often undercuts both on total lease cost. Genesis's concierge service and comprehensive warranty add value that most luxury competitors charge extra for.
Best EV Leases
Electric vehicles have become some of the best lease values in 2026, primarily because of the federal EV tax credit. When you lease an EV, the leasing company (not you) claims the $7,500 tax credit and typically passes it through as a reduced capitalized cost, directly lowering your monthly payment.
Chevrolet Equinox EV
The Equinox EV has disrupted the EV lease market with its low MSRP combined with the full tax credit pass-through. Monthly payments on a well-equipped Equinox EV can be surprisingly low, often undercutting gas-powered competitors. Range is competitive at over 300 miles for most trims.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 offers fast charging, a spacious interior, and Hyundai's aggressive lease incentives stacked on top of the federal tax credit. The result is one of the most compelling EV lease deals available. If you are considering going electric, the Ioniq 5's lease math makes a strong case.
Tesla Model Y
Love it or not, the Model Y leases reasonably well thanks to Tesla's direct pricing model and the EV tax credit. Tesla's lease terms are more rigid than traditional brands (no purchase option at lease end in most cases), but the monthly payment can be competitive with gas-powered SUVs once the credit is factored in.
What Makes a Lease Deal "Good"?
Before you choose a car, understand what drives lease pricing:
- Residual value: Higher residual = lower depreciation = lower payment. This is the single biggest factor in lease cost.
- Money factor: This is the lease interest rate expressed as a decimal. Multiply by 2,400 to get the approximate APR. Lower is better. A money factor of 0.00125 equals about 3% APR.
- Incentives: Manufacturer rebates, loyalty bonuses, and conquest offers all reduce the capitalized cost, which lowers your payment.
- MSRP discount: The difference between MSRP and the price you negotiate (the selling price) also reduces your capitalized cost. This is where a broker's access to dealer cost pricing makes a significant difference.
Why the Advertised Lease Is Not the Real Lease
Every month, manufacturers publish advertised lease deals. They look great in commercials. But those deals almost always assume a large amount due at signing ($2,000 to $4,000), a specific trim level (usually the base), and a limited mileage allowance (often 10,000 miles per year).
When you add realistic options, adjust mileage to what you actually drive, and calculate the total cost including the due-at-signing amount, the real monthly cost is significantly higher than advertised. This is not dishonest; it is just how lease advertising works. Knowing this helps you compare deals apples-to-apples.
The Broker Difference
A car broker can access dealer cost pricing on any of these vehicles, which lowers the selling price before the lease is even calculated. A lower selling price means a lower capitalized cost, which means a lower monthly payment on top of whatever manufacturer incentives are available.
Brokers also know which dealers have the best allocation, which trims lease best, and when manufacturer programs change. This insider knowledge can save you hundreds per month compared to walking into a dealer and negotiating on your own.
Full Disclosure
Vantage Auto Group earns a broker fee on every vehicle we source. That fee is transparent and disclosed upfront. Even with our fee included, clients typically save money compared to negotiating directly with a dealer because we start from dealer cost, not MSRP. We are brand-agnostic, so we recommend the vehicle that is the best fit for you, not the one that pays us the most.
Find Your Best Lease Deal
The best car to lease in 2026 depends on what you need: commuter, family hauler, luxury, or EV. But regardless of the model, the math is the same. High residual, low money factor, strong incentives, and a selling price below MSRP. Start with the models above, then let a broker sharpen the numbers.
Want to see what your ideal car would actually cost to lease? Get a free quote from Vantage in about 5 minutes and we will show you the real numbers, not the advertised ones. No spam. No pressure. Unsubscribe anytime.
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