The Best Cars to Lease if You Want a Great Deal

The truth is, most of your monthly payment goes toward depreciation. So if you pick a car that holds its value like a rock, you pay less. Pick a car that depreciates like a brick falling off a cliff, and you'll pay through the nose.

It's that simple. Yet most car shoppers completely ignore this.

The general rule: Japanese brands (Toyota, Lexus, Honda) crush it when it comes to holding value. Trucks and SUVs beat sedans. Hybrids often beat their gas-only siblings. And anything that's popular now will probably stay popular on the used market—which means higher residual values for you.

Quick numbers: Most cars have residual values between 45% and 60% for a 36-month lease. The vehicles below blow past that average—which directly translates to lower payments since you're financing a smaller chunk of the car's value.

Top Vehicles with Best Residual Values (2025-2026)

This list comes from J.D. Power's 2025 ALG Residual Value Awards and other industry data. All percentages are for 36-month leases with 12,000 miles per year.

SUVs & Crossovers

1. Kia Telluride SX - 74.6% residual (segment leader—this thing barely depreciates)
2. Lexus TX Luxury - 69.8%
3. Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro - 69.0%
4. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon - 67.5%
5. Subaru Crosstrek Limited - 66.8%
6. Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L - 66.5%
7. Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE - 66.2%
8. Lexus RX 350h - 65.8%
9. Lexus GX Premium - 64.6%
10. Mazda CX-5 Turbo - 64.0%
11. Subaru Forester Wilderness - 63.8%
12. Lexus NX 350h - 63.2%
13. Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Platinum - 62.3%
14. Lexus LX 600 - 62.0%

Trucks

1. Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road - 70.5% (one of the highest residuals of ANY vehicle—Tacomas are basically gold)
2. Toyota Tundra TRD Pro - 67.0%
3. GMC Sierra AT4 - 65.5%
4. Ford Ranger Raptor - 64.3%
5. Jeep Gladiator Rubicon - 61.7%
6. GMC Canyon AT4X - 61.0%

Sedans & Cars

1. Honda Civic Si - 67.8%
2. Toyota Corolla Hybrid XLE - 65.2%
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE - 63.5%
4. Acura Integra Type S - 62.9%
5. Honda Accord Hybrid Sport - 62.6%

Sports & Performance Cars

1. Porsche 911 Carrera - 71.2%
2. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - 68.5%
3. Porsche 718 Cayman - 68.1%

Electric Vehicles

EVs are a different animal when it comes to leasing. Their residual values have historically been all over the place because the technology changes so fast and everyone's worried about battery life. But here's the thing—that can actually work in your favor.

Why leasing an EV often makes sense:

• Manufacturer incentives are huge: Automakers are throwing cash at EV leases to move inventory. Take advantage of it.
• You avoid the depreciation nightmare: EV tech evolves so quickly that buying one is risky. Leasing lets you upgrade in 3 years without getting stuck with yesterday's technology.
• Lower operating costs: No gas, minimal maintenance. Your total cost during the lease can be surprisingly low.

Top EVs for Leasing (2025-2026):

1. Tesla Model Y Long Range - 61.4% residual (best-in-class for EVs)
2. Hyundai Kona Electric Limited - 64.9%
3. Hyundai IONIQ 5 - Excellent lease deals with manufacturer incentives
4. Hyundai IONIQ 6 - Competitive lease pricing
5. Honda Prologue - Among the cheapest EVs to lease right now
6. Ford Mustang Mach-E - Strong lease incentives
7. Kia Niro EV - One of the most affordable lease options out there

One thing to watch: EV lease deals change month-to-month depending on manufacturer incentives. What's a great deal today might not be next month. Always shop current offers.

Why These Vehicles Hold Value

It's not random. Here's what separates the value-holders from the value-losers:

• Brand reputation matters: Toyota, Lexus, and Honda consistently top residual value lists. Why? Because everyone knows they're reliable. That reputation carries over to the used market.
• Supply and demand: Vehicles like the Tacoma and 4Runner are always in demand—new or used. Strong demand = strong residuals.
• Trucks and SUVs beat sedans: People want capability and versatility. That's not changing anytime soon.
• Hybrids are winning: With gas prices unpredictable, hybrid models often outperform their gas-only counterparts in residual value.
• Limited production helps: Performance cars like the Corvette and Porsche 911 hold value because there aren't that many of them.

Brand-Level Winners

According to J.D. Power's 2025 ALG Residual Value Awards:

• Best Luxury Brand: Lexus (4th year in a row—no surprise there)
• Best Mass-Market Brand: Honda (also 4th year running)
• Most Model-Level Awards: Lexus (5), Toyota (4), GMC (3), Honda (3), Subaru (3)

See a pattern? If you want a great lease deal, Japanese brands are your friends.

Tips for Getting the Best Lease Deal

Picking the right car is step one. Here's how to maximize your savings:

1. Start with high-residual vehicles: Use this list as your starting point. You're already ahead of 90% of shoppers.
2. Hunt for manufacturer incentives: Lease cash and reduced money factors can save you hundreds per month. Don't skip this step.
3. Negotiate the selling price: A lot of people don't realize you can negotiate the price on a lease. You absolutely can—and you should. A lower cap cost means lower payments, period.
4. Time it right: End of model year and holiday sales often have the best lease deals. Patience can pay off.
5. Don't overbuy miles: Extra miles cost extra money. Be honest about how much you actually drive and stick to that number.

Last reviewed: January 2026