50 Cars That Are Better To Lease Than Own

There may be nothing quite as sweet as that new car smell — but that aroma gets real old, real fast when you consider just how much money you’re potentially throwing away on a brand new automobile.

Thanks to depreciation, a new car begins to lose value as soon as you drive it off the lot — and its value continues to plummet year over year. Ethan Taub, CEO of Goalry Inc., tells GOBankingRates that new cars “lose up to 60% of their value in the first three years, assuming that it has traveled no more than 10,000 miles per year.”

Often the savvier move when looking to save money is to lease a car. Not only does leasing let you dodge a lose-lose investment, but it gives you the opportunity to exchange, upgrade and trade in your vehicle. One of the infamous downsides of leasing a car is the fact that monthly loan payments are never-ending, whereas at least with a purchased vehicle, you have an end date in sight. Still, there can be money-saving advantages to leasing a car — but it really does depend on the car. This is why GOBankingRates took an in-depth look at models that offer the highest cost-benefits to customers who opt to lease.

When factoring in various components, including MSRP, lease payments, depreciation and more, here’s a look at 50 cars that are more affordable to lease than to buy.

• Starting MSRP: $14,830
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $16,406
• 5-year lease payments total: $8,640
• Total 5-year depreciation: $8,534
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $7,766

• Starting MSRP: $15,295
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $16,919
• 5-year lease payments total: $8,880
• Total 5-year depreciation: $8,801
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $8,039

• Starting MSRP: $15,650
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $17,290
• 5-year lease payments total: $9,120
• Total 5-year depreciation: $9,005
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $8,170

• Starting MSRP: $17,490
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $19,338
• 5-year lease payments total: $10,200
• Total 5-year depreciation: $10,064
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $9,138

• Starting MSRP: $17,890
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $19,778
• 5-year lease payments total: $10,440
• Total 5-year depreciation: $10,294
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $9,338

• Starting MSRP: $19,825
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $21,905 
• 5-year lease payments total: $11,520
• Total 5-year depreciation: $11,408
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $10,385

• Starting MSRP: $20,800
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $23,000 
• 5-year lease payments total: $12,120
• Total 5-year depreciation: $11,969
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $10,880

• Starting MSRP: $21,500
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $23,800
• 5-year lease payments total: $12,540
• Total 5-year depreciation: $12,372
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $11,260

• Starting MSRP: $22,930
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $25,346
• 5-year lease payments total: $13,380
• Total 5-year depreciation: $13,194
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $11,966

• Starting MSRP: $23,490
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $25,998
• 5-year lease payments total: $13,680
• Total 5-year depreciation: $13,517
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $12,318

• Starting MSRP: $24,300
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $26,880
• 5-year lease payments total: $14,160
• Total 5-year depreciation: $13,983 
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $12,720

• Starting MSRP: $24,100
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $26,660
• 5-year lease payments total: $14,040
• Total 5-year depreciation: $13,868  
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $12,620

• Starting MSRP: $24,270
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $26,814 
• 5-year lease payments total: $14,160 
• Total 5-year depreciation: $13,966   
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $12,654

• Starting MSRP: $27,750 
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $30,690 
• 5-year lease payments total: $16,140  
• Total 5-year depreciation: $15,968    
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $14,550 

• Starting MSRP: $28,265
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $31,273
• 5-year lease payments total: $16,440
• Total 5-year depreciation: $16,264   
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $14,833

• Starting MSRP: $30,040
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $33,248
• 5-year lease payments total: $17,520
• Total 5-year depreciation: $17,286  
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $15,728

• Starting MSRP: $31,630
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $35,006
• 5-year lease payments total: $18,420
• Total 5-year depreciation: $18,201
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $16,586

Important: 13 Things That Increase Your Car’s Value

• Starting MSRP: $31,990
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $35,378
• 5-year lease payments total: $18,660
• Total 5-year depreciation: $18,408
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $16,718

• Starting MSRP: $32,250
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $35,670
• 5-year lease payments total: $18,780
• Total 5-year depreciation: $18,557
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $16,890

• Starting MSRP: $32,525
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $35,965
• 5-year lease payments total: $18,960
• Total 5-year depreciation: $18,716
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $17,005

• Starting MSRP: $33,650
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $37,210
• 5-year lease payments total: $19,620
• Total 5-year depreciation: $19,363
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $17,590

2019 model year shown here

• Starting MSRP: $35,145
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $38,889
• 5-year lease payments total: $20,460
• Total 5-year depreciation: $20,233
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $18,429

2021 model year shown here

• Starting MSRP: $35,875
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $39,695
• 5-year lease payments total: $20,880
• Total 5-year depreciation: $20,643
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $18,815

• Starting MSRP: $36,050
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $39,850
• 5-year lease payments total: $21,000
• Total 5-year depreciation: $20,744
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $18,850

• Starting MSRP: $37,190
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $41,098
• 5-year lease payments total: $21,660
• Total 5-year depreciation: $21,400
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $19,438

• Starting MSRP: $37,400
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $41,380
• 5-year lease payments total: $21,780
• Total 5-year depreciation: $21,521
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $19,600

• Starting MSRP: $37,850
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $41,830
• 5-year lease payments total: $22,020
• Total 5-year depreciation: $21,780
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $19,810

• Starting MSRP: $37,990
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $42,038
• 5-year lease payments total: $22,140
• Total 5-year depreciation: $21,860
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $19,898

• Starting MSRP: $38,100
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $42,120
• 5-year lease payments total: $22,200
• Total 5-year depreciation: $21,924
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $19,920

• Starting MSRP: $38,200
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $42,260
• 5-year lease payments total: $22,260
• Total 5-year depreciation: $21,981
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $20,000

2020 model year shown.

• Starting MSRP: $39,090
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $43,218
• 5-year lease payments total: $22,800
• Total 5-year depreciation: $22,493
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $20,418

• Starting MSRP: $39,995
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $44,239
• 5-year lease payments total: $23,280
• Total 5-year depreciation: $23,014
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $20,959

• Starting MSRP: $42,500
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $47,020
• 5-year lease payments total: $24,780
• Total 5-year depreciation: $24,456
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $22,240

• Starting MSRP: $44,500
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $49,220
• 5-year lease payments total: $25,920
• Total 5-year depreciation: $25,606
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $23,300

• Starting MSRP: $44,950
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $49,730
• 5-year lease payments total: $26,160
• Total 5-year depreciation: $25,865
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $23,570

• Starting MSRP: $52,400
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $57,940
• 5-year lease payments total: $30,540
• Total 5-year depreciation: $30,152
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $27,400

2021 model year shown.

• Starting MSRP: $52,810
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $58,382
• 5-year lease payments total: $30,780
• Total 5-year depreciation: $30,388
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $27,602

• Starting MSRP: $53,950
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $59,630
• 5-year lease payments total: $31,440
• Total 5-year depreciation: $31,044
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $28,190

• Starting MSRP: $54,050
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $59,770
• 5-year lease payments total: $31,500
• Total 5-year depreciation: $31,102
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $28,270

2021 model year shown.

• Starting MSRP: $54,900
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $60,720
• 5-year lease payments total: $31,980
• Total 5-year depreciation: $31,591
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $28,740

• Starting MSRP: $54,900
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $60,720
• 5-year lease payments total: $31,980
• Total 5-year depreciation: $31,591
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $28,740

• Starting MSRP: $56,300
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $62,260
• 5-year lease payments total: $32,820
• Total 5-year depreciation: $32,396
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $29,440

• Starting MSRP: $61,600
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $68,120
• 5-year lease payments total: $35,880
• Total 5-year depreciation: $35,446
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $32,240

• Starting MSRP: $64,900
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $71,780
• 5-year lease payments total: $37,800
• Total 5-year depreciation: $37,345
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $33,980

• Starting MSRP: $69,950
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $77,350
• 5-year lease payments total: $40,740
• Total 5-year depreciation: $40,251
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $36,610

• Starting MSRP: $75,195
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $83,139
• 5-year lease payments total: $43,800
• Total 5-year depreciation: $43,269
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $39,339

• Starting MSRP: $76,185
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $84,237
• 5-year lease payments total: $44,400
• Total 5-year depreciation: $43,839
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $39,837

• Starting MSRP: $85,415
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $94,483
• 5-year lease payments total: $49,740
• Total 5-year depreciation: $49,150
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $44,743

• Starting MSRP: $86,800
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $95,960
• 5-year lease payments total: $50,580
• Total 5-year depreciation: $49,947
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $45,380

• Starting MSRP: $87,200
• 5-year monthly loan payments and 20% down payment: $96,400
• 5-year lease payments total: $50,820
• Total 5-year depreciation: $50,177
• Total saved over 5 years when you lease: $45,580

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Photos are for representational purposes only and may not reflect the exact model listed.

Methodology: GOBankingRates found 50 cars that are more affordable to lease than own, given the following assumptions. For owning, it was assumed that the purchase would involve a five-year loan (60 months), 20% down payment and 5% APR. Estimated tax, title, tags and other fees were excluded. For leasing, it was assumed the terms would involve a five-year lease (60 months), a money factor of 0.0020833 (which is the equivalent of 5% APR) and no down payment. Estimated fees, trade-in value offset and taxes were excluded. Operating under these assumptions, GOBankingRates found the (1) monthly lease payment, (2) monthly loan payment, (3) total paid in lease payments over five years and (4) total paid in loan payments over five years plus a 20% down payment for each model. Factors No. 3 and 4 were then compared to each other to give a value for (5) total saved over five years through leasing each vehicle versus purchasing. Vehicle prices were sourced from the respective car manufacturer’s website, vehicle financing calculations were found using Cars.com’s car loan calculator and lease payment calculations were found using the Edmunds Inc. Auto Lease Calculator. Vehicles selected for analysis were sourced from Edmunds Inc.’s Best Cars of 2020 rankings. Each car’s total estimated depreciation over five years was also provided as supplemental information, calculated using Navy Federal Credit Union’s Car Depreciation Calculator. All data was collected and is up to date as of Sept. 9, 2020.