50 Cars That Are Better To Lease Than Own

For some cars, a lease might be the better route to take.

By Joel Anderson Jul 22, 2021 Auto Loans 101

Cars are notoriously bad investments: on average, they lose 57% of their value in the first five years they spend on the road. Now, if you’re the sort of person who likes to buy a car every other decade and squeeze out every last penny of that purchase, that might not be so big a concern. But for most people, it means the process of selling your used car can be downright depressing.

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That’s why GOBankingRates has taken a look at the models that offer the most cost-benefits to customers who lease instead of buy. By looking at the cost of your monthly payments for each and factoring in the interest costs of a basic car loan, the study identified which cars are best to lease and just how much you’ll save over the course of the first five years by opting to lease instead of own.

Last updated: July 21, 2021

Make Your Money Work for You

2019 Hyundai Elantra GT

Starting MSRP: $19,450
Total 5-year depreciation: $11,192
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $294
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $21,530
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $189
Total lease payments over 5 years: $11,340

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,190

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2019 Honda Civic Sedan

Starting MSRP: $19,450
Total 5-year depreciation: $11,192
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $294
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $21,530
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $189
Total lease payments over 5 years: $11,340

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,190

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2019 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sedan

Starting MSRP: $19,480
Total 5-year depreciation: $11,209
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $294
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $21,536
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $189
Total lease payments over 5 years: $11,340

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,196

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2019 Hyundai Sonata SE

Starting MSRP: $19,750
Total 5-year depreciation: $11,365
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $298
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $21,830
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $192
Total lease payments over 5 years: $11,520

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,310

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2019 Subaru Impreza 2.0i 5-Door

Starting MSRP: $19,980
Total 5-year depreciation: $11,497
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $302
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $22,116
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $194
Total lease payments over 5 years: $11,640

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,476

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

Starting MSRP: $19,990
Total 5-year depreciation: $11,503
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $302
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $22,118
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $194
Total lease payments over 5 years: $11,640

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,478

2019 Ford EcoSport

Starting MSRP: $19,995
Total 5-year depreciation: $11,506
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $302
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $22,119
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $194
Total lease payments over 5 years: $11,640

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,479

Make Your Money Work for You

2019 Mazda 3

Starting MSRP: $21,000
Total 5-year depreciation: $12,084
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $317
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $23,220
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $204
Total lease payments over 5 years: $12,240

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $10,980

2019 Volkswagen Golf

Starting MSRP: $21,845
Total 5-year depreciation: $12,570
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $330
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $24,169
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $212
Total lease payments over 5 years: $12,720

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $11,449

2019 Honda Accord

Starting MSRP: $23,720
Total 5-year depreciation: $13,649
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $358
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $26,224
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $230
Total lease payments over 5 years: $13,800

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $12,424

2019 Toyota Camry

Starting MSRP: $24,095
Total 5-year depreciation: $13,865
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $364
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $26,659
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $234
Total lease payments over 5 years: $14,040

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $12,619

2020 Nissan Altima

Starting MSRP: $24,100
Total 5-year depreciation: $13,868
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $364
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $26,660
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $234
Total lease payments over 5 years: $14,040

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $12,620

2019 Honda Accord Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $25,320
Total 5-year depreciation: $14,570
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $382
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $27,984
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $246
Total lease payments over 5 years: $14,760

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $13,224

2019 Ford Mustang

Starting MSRP: $26,395
Total 5-year depreciation: $15,189
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $398
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $29,159
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $256
Total lease payments over 5 years: $15,360

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $13,799

2019 Chevrolet Volt

Starting MSRP: $33,520
Total 5-year depreciation: $19,289
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $487
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $35,924
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $323
Total lease payments over 5 years: $19,380

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $16,544

Make Your Money Work for You

2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $31,630
Total 5-year depreciation: $18,201
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $478
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $35,006
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $307
Total lease payments over 5 years: $18,420

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $16,586

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2019 Mercedes Benz A-Class

Starting MSRP: $32,500
Total 5-year depreciation: $18,702
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $491
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $35,960
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $316
Total lease payments over 5 years: $18,960

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $17,000

2019 Kia Stinger

Starting MSRP: $32,990
Total 5-year depreciation: $18,984
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $498
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $36,478
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $320
Total lease payments over 5 years: $19,200

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $17,278

2019 Nissan Maxima

Starting MSRP: $34,050
Total 5-year depreciation: $19,594
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $514
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $37,650
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $331
Total lease payments over 5 years: $19,860

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $17,790

2019 Volvo S60

Starting MSRP: $35,800
Total 5-year depreciation: $20,601
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $540
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $39,560
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $348
Total lease payments over 5 years: $20,880

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $18,680

2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia

Starting MSRP: $38,545
Total 5-year depreciation: $22,180
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $582
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $42,629
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $374
Total lease payments over 5 years: $22,440

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $20,189

2019 BMW 3-Series

Starting MSRP: $40,750
Total 5-year depreciation: $23,449
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $615
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $45,050
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $396
Total lease payments over 5 years: $23,760

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $21,290

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Starting MSRP: $41,400
Total 5-year depreciation: $23,823
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $625
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $45,780
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $402
Total lease payments over 5 years: $24,120

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $21,660

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2020 Acura MDX

Starting MSRP: $44,400
Total 5-year depreciation: $25,549
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $670
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $49,080
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $427
Total lease payments over 5 years: $25,620

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $23,460

2020 BMW 4-Series

Starting MSRP: $44,950
Total 5-year depreciation: $25,866
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $679
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $49,730
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $436
Total lease payments over 5 years: $26,160

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $23,570

2019 Lincoln Continental

Starting MSRP: $46,145
Total 5-year depreciation: $26,553
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $697
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $51,049
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $448
Total lease payments over 5 years: $26,880

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $24,169

2019 Lexus GS

Starting MSRP: $46,860
Total 5-year depreciation: $26,965
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $707
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $51,792
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $455
Total lease payments over 5 years: $27,300

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $24,492

2019 Cadillac XTS

Starting MSRP: $46,895
Total 5-year depreciation: $26,985
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $708
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $51,859
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $455
Total lease payments over 5 years: $27,300

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $24,559

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2019 Jaguar F-Pace

Starting MSRP: $47,250
Total 5-year depreciation: $27,189
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $713
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $52,230
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $459
Total lease payments over 5 years: $27,540

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $24,690

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

Starting MSRP: $47,300
Total 5-year depreciation: $27,218
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $714
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $52,300
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $459
Total lease payments over 5 years: $27,540

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $24,760

2019 Volvo S90

Starting MSRP: $47,350
Total 5-year depreciation: $27,247
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $715
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $52,370
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $460
Total lease payments over 5 years: $27,600

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $24,770

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2019 Volvo XC90

Starting MSRP: $47,700
Total 5-year depreciation: $27,448
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $720
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $52,740
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $463
Total lease payments over 5 years: $27,780

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $24,960

2019 Audi S4

Starting MSRP: $50,200
Total 5-year depreciation: $28,887
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $758
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $55,520
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $487
Total lease payments over 5 years: $29,220

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $26,300

2019 Infiniti Q70

Starting MSRP: $50,400
Total 5-year depreciation: $29,002
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $761
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $55,740
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $489
Total lease payments over 5 years: $29,340

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $26,400

2019 Audi SQ5

Starting MSRP: $52,400
Total 5-year depreciation: $30,153
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $791
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $57,940
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $509
Total lease payments over 5 years: $30,540

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $27,400

2019 Lexus GX

Starting MSRP: $52,505
Total 5-year depreciation: $30,213
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $793
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $58,081
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $510
Total lease payments over 5 years: $30,600

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $27,481

2019 BMW 5-Series

Starting MSRP: $53,900
Total 5-year depreciation: $31,016
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $814
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $59,620
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $523
Total lease payments over 5 years: $31,380

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $28,240

2019 Audi A6

Starting MSRP: $54,100
Total 5-year depreciation: $31,131
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $817
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $59,840
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $525
Total lease payments over 5 years: $31,500

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $28,340

2020 Acura RLX

Starting MSRP: $54,900
Total 5-year depreciation: $31,591
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $829
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $60,720
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $533
Total lease payments over 5 years: $31,980

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $28,740

Make Your Money Work for You

2019 Chevrolet Stingray

Starting MSRP: $55,900
Total 5-year depreciation: $32,167
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $844
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $61,820
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $543
Total lease payments over 5 years: $32,580

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $29,240

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2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

Starting MSRP: $56,300
Total 5-year depreciation: $32,397
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $850
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $62,260
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $547
Total lease payments over 5 years: $32,820

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $29,440

2020 Jaguar F-Type

Starting MSRP: $61,600
Total 5-year depreciation: $35,447
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $930
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $68,120
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $598
Total lease payments over 5 years: $35,880

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $32,240

2019 Cadillac CT6

Starting MSRP: $62,595
Total 5-year depreciation: $36,019
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $945
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $69,129
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $608
Total lease payments over 5 years: $36,480

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $32,739

2019 BMW X6

Starting MSRP: $63,550
Total 5-year depreciation: $36,569
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $959
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $70,250
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $617
Total lease payments over 5 years: $37,020

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $33,230

2020 Lexus RC F

Starting MSRP: $64,750
Total 5-year depreciation: $37,259
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $978
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $71,630
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $629
Total lease payments over 5 years: $37,740

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $33,890

2019 Infiniti QX80

Starting MSRP: $65,500
Total 5-year depreciation: $37,691
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $989
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $72,440
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $636
Total lease payments over 5 years: $38,160

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $34,280

2019 Porsche Cayenne

Starting MSRP: $66,800
Total 5-year depreciation: $38,439
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $1,008
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $73,840
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $649
Total lease payments over 5 years: $38,940

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $34,900

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Starting MSRP: $68,650
Total 5-year depreciation: $39,504
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $1,036
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $75,890
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $666
Total lease payments over 5 years: $39,960

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $35,930

2019 Lincoln Navigator

Starting MSRP: $73,205
Total 5-year depreciation: $42,125
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $1,105
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $80,941
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $711
Total lease payments over 5 years: $42,660

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $38,281

2020 Cadillac Escalade

Starting MSRP: $75,195
Total 5-year depreciation: $43,270
Monthly loan payments at 5% APR: $1,135
Total loan payments over 5 years with 20% down: $83,139
Monthly lease payments at 5% APR: $730
Total lease payments over 5 years: $43,800

Total savings over 5 years when you lease: $39,339

More From GoBankingRates

Methodology: GOBankingRates found 75 cars that are more affordable to lease than to own using the following assumptions. For owning: five-year loan (60-month) and 20 percent down payment, excluding estimated tax, title, tags and other fees, and an APR of 5%. For leasing: five-year lease (60 months) and a money factor of 0.0020833 (the equivalent of 5% APR); no down payment, fees, trade-in value or taxes were included. GOBankingRates then found the (1) monthly lease payment; (2) monthly loan payment; (3) 5-year lease payment total; and (4) 5-year loan total plus a 20% down payment. Factors three and four were then compared to give a value for (5) total saved over 5 years when you opt to lease instead of own. Vehicle prices were sourced from the respective car manufacturer’s website, vehicle financing calculations were found using CarMax’s car payment calculator and lease payment calculations were found using Edmunds.com’s auto lease calculator. Each car’s 5-year depreciation was found using Navy Federal Credit Union’s car depreciation calculator for supplemental data. All data was collected and is up to date as of Aug. 12, 2019.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by American Express.

About the Author

Joel Anderson

Joel Anderson is a business and finance writer with over a decade of experience writing about the wide world of finance. Based in Los Angeles, he specializes in writing about the financial markets, stocks, macroeconomic concepts and focuses on helping make complex financial concepts digestible for the retail investor.