Why do lease payments vary so much between brands?

Two main factors cause variation: residual value and manufacturer incentives. Brands with strong resale values (like Toyota, Honda, and some luxury makes) tend to have higher residuals, which means lower monthly payments. Brands that depreciate faster have lower residuals, which increases the monthly cost. Manufacturer lease incentives (subsidized money factors, loyalty bonuses, conquest offers) can dramatically change the payment on specific models during promotional periods.