Which Cars Better to Lease or Buy
When it comes to leasing, depreciation cost will be the largest portion of your monthly payment. Depreciation is the difference between what the vehicle is worth at time of lease, and what it's worth at the end of your lease (called Residual Value). So it makes sense to lease a car with low depreciation cost, or put another way - high residual value.
Residual value is calculated as a percentage of MSRP. The higher the percentage, the lower your depreciation cost during a lease. For example, if a car has an MSRP of $40,000 and the leasing company has calculated a residual value of 50% after 36 months, that means the total depreciation cost will be $20,000 (that's if you purchase the car at MSRP, which you better not do if you're reading RealCarTips - any price you negotiate below MSRP will reduce your overall depreciation cost).
Below, you'll find a list of the vehicles with the highest 36-month residual values. These are the vehicles you will be paying the least when it comes to depreciation - and which may be better to lease than to purchase, especially if you plan to keep it for only 3 years and not drive more than 12,000 miles per year. The vehicle with the best residual value right now is the 2025 Toyota Tacoma, with a residual value of 77% over 3 years. With an MSRP of $42,854 that means it will depreciate by only about $9,000 over 3 years (if you were to pay full MSRP).
Keep in mind residual values are best-guess estimates, and sometimes leasing companies set them higher than what they actually expect the vehicle to be worth (as a hidden incentive so lease payments are lower). And sometimes, market conditions change during the lease, and the actual worth of the vehicle ends up being way lower than the residual "guesstimate". Since the residual value is set in stone, this is why these vehicles may be a better choice to lease than purchase, especially the ones with residuals over 60%.
However, not all vehicles with high residual values offer good lease deals (due to other factors such as interest rates and other fees). For these types of deals, it's better to purchase the vehicle rather than lease - check out the final column in the table below to see if it's better to lease or buy the vehicle if you're planning to keep it short-term.
As always, I recommend using TrueCar No Haggle and CarsDirect to see the lowest prices your local dealers are willing to offer on these leases.
Better to Lease or Buy
| Rank | Vehicle | MSRP | Lease Payment ($0 Down) | Residual | Better To... | Local Deals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2025 Toyota Tacoma SR5 | $42,854 | $402 | 77% | Lease | |
| 2 | 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 | $42,144 | $363 | 75% | Lease | |
| 3 | 2025 Kia Telluride S | $39,390 | $489 | 74.6% | Buy | |
| 4 | 2025 Toyota Tacoma i-FORCE MAX TRD Sport | $55,372 | $655 | 72% | Buy | |
| 5 | 2024 Toyota Tacoma i-FORCE MAX TRD Sport | $57,984 | $645 | 71% | Lease | |
| 6 | 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 | $58,823 | $625 | 69% | Lease | |
| 7 | 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe SE | $35,775 | $431 | 69% | Buy | |
| 8 | 2025 Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast | $99,990 | $1,228 | 69% | Buy | |
| 9 | 2025 Kia Sorento LX | $31,990 | $392 | 68.9% | Buy | |
| 10 | 2025 Hyundai Palisade SE | $38,675 | $470 | 68% | Buy | |
| 11 | 2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range | $48,990 | $602 | 67% | Buy | |
| 12 | 2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE PHV | $34,668 | $324 | 65% | Lease | |
| 13 | 2024 Kia Sportage X-Line | $39,590 | $373 | 64.2% | Lease | |
| 14 | 2025 Toyota Tundra SR5 | $53,929 | $596 | 64% | Lease | |
| 15 | 2025 Subaru Ascent 8 | $40,330 | $500 | 64% | Buy | |
| 16 | 2025 Honda Ridgeline RTL | $41,600 | $457 | 63% | Lease | |
| 17 | 2024 Hyundai Tucson SEL | $40,100 | $402 | 63% | Lease | |
| 18 | 2024 Subaru WRX WRX | $33,855 | $385 | 63% | Lease | |
| 19 | 2025 Mini Countryman S ALL4 | $40,075 | $470 | 63% | Buy | |
| 20 | 2025 Kia EV9 Wind | $63,900 | $575 | 62.4% | Lease | |
| 21 | 2025 Subaru Forester Base | $31,415 | $380 | 62% | Buy | |
| 22 | 2025 Subaru Outback Base | $30,430 | $375 | 62% | Buy | |
| 23 | 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range | $42,490 | $395 | 62% | Lease | |
| 24 | 2025 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX Max LTD | $64,419 | $742 | 62% | Lease | |
| 25 | 2025 Hyundai Tucson SE | $30,155 | $363 | 61% | Buy | |
| 26 | 2025 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S | $26,615 | $325 | 61% | Buy | |
| 27 | 2025 Nissan Rogue S | $30,710 | $380 | 60% | Buy | |
| 28 | 2025 Honda Passport EX-L | $43,850 | $505 | 60% | Lease | |
| 29 | 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select | $31,920 | $393 | 59% | Buy | |
| 30 | 2025 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select | $39,500 | $481 | 59% | Buy | |
| 31 | 2025 Kia Niro EV Wind | $39,600 | $305 | 59% | Lease | |
| 32 | 2025 Acura MDX - | $54,750 | $653 | 59% | Buy | |
| 33 | 2025 Nissan Murano SV | $42,625 | $504 | 59% | Buy | |
| 34 | 2025 Acura RDX - | $46,050 | $556 | 59% | Buy | |
| 35 | 2024 BMW 2 Series 228i Gran Coupe | $42,495 | $499 | 58% | Buy | |
| 36 | 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S | $30,190 | $364 | 58% | Buy | |
| 37 | 2025 Mercedes GLB GLB 250 | $46,950 | $561 | 57% | Buy | |
| 38 | 2025 Kia EV6 Light Long Range | $46,200 | $450 | 56.8% | Lease | |
| 39 | 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT | $65,190 | $740 | 56% | Lease | |
| 40 | 2025 Mercedes C-Class C 300 | $49,600 | $597 | 56% | Buy | |
| 41 | 2025 Mercedes GLA 250 | $44,150 | $531 | 56% | Buy | |
| 42 | 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT | $65,090 | $644 | 56% | Lease | |
| 43 | 2025 Toyota Crown XLE | $43,549 | $520 | 55% | Buy | |
| 44 | 2024 BMW i7 eDrive50 | $106,695 | $1,191 | 55% | Lease | |
| 45 | 2025 BMW i7 eDrive50 | $106,875 | $1,200 | 55% | Lease | |
| 46 | 2025 Mazda CX-70 Premium | $55,855 | $553 | 54% | Lease | |
| 47 | 2025 BMW 7 Series 740i | $100,225 | $1,210 | 54% | Buy | |
| 48 | 2025 Mercedes CLA 250 | $45,550 | $528 | 54% | Lease | |
| 49 | 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 | $69,795 | $745 | 54% | Lease | |
| 50 | 2025 BMW i5 eDrive40 | $69,925 | $812 | 54% | Lease | |
| 51 | 2025 BMW iX xDrive50 | $90,925 | $858 | 53% | Lease | |
| 52 | 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 | $60,425 | $535 | 53% | Lease | |
| 53 | 2024 Kia Niro EV Wind | $39,600 | $295 | 51.7% | Lease | |
| 54 | 2024 Ford Mach-E Select | $41,990 | $451 | 50% | Lease | |
| 55 | 2025 Mercedes EQE Sedan EQE 350+ | $76,050 | $740 | 49% | Lease | |
| 56 | 2025 Subaru Solterra Premium | $39,915 | $329 | 49% | Lease | |
| 57 | 2025 Nissan Ariya Engage | $41,805 | $267 | 48% | Lease | |
| 58 | 2024 Mercedes EQE Sedan EQE 350+ | $76,050 | $710 | 48% | Lease | |
| 59 | 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Range | $45,950 | $334 | 47.4% | Lease | |
| 60 | 2024 Honda Prologue Touring 1 Speed | $56,150 | $395 | 46% | Lease | |
| 61 | 2025 Mercedes EQE SUV EQE 350+ | $79,050 | $864 | 46% | Lease | |
| 62 | 2025 Mercedes EQS Sedan EQS 450+ | $105,550 | $1,179 | 46% | Lease | |
| 63 | 2025 Nissan LEAF S 40 kWh | $29,815 | $334 | 46% | Lease | |
| 64 | 2024 Mercedes EQB EQB 250+ | $54,200 | $484 | 45% | Lease | |
| 65 | 2025 Mercedes EQS SUV EQS 450+ | $106,400 | $1,128 | 45% | Lease | |
| 66 | 2024 Mercedes EQE SUV EQE 350+ | $79,050 | $834 | 45% | Lease | |
| 67 | 2025 Mercedes EQB EQB 250+ | $54,200 | $537 | 45% | Lease | |
| 68 | 2024 Mercedes EQS Sedan EQS 450+ | $105,550 | $1,019 | 45% | Lease | |
| 69 | 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV EQS 450+ | $105,550 | $1,139 | 44% | Lease | |
| 70 | 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec 1 Speed | $65,850 | $573 | 44% | Lease | |
| 71 | 2025 Toyota bZ4X XLE | $41,534 | $305 | 44% | Lease | |
| 72 | 2024 Subaru Solterra Premium | $46,340 | $249 | 38% | Lease | |
| 73 | 2024 Toyota bZ4X XLE | $47,509 | $266 | 35% | Lease | |
| 74 | 2025 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup e4WD 2X | $99,720 | $1,065 | -% | Lease | |
| 75 | 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Giulia Sprint | $45,285 | $521 | -% | Lease | |
| 76 | 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron 45 Premium Plus | $54,895 | $635 | -% | Lease | |
| 77 | 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4-door Sport S | $49,345 | $533 | -% | Lease | |
| 78 | 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SE Tech | $42,305 | $513 | -% | Buy | |
| 79 | 2025 Chrysler Pacifica Select | $52,750 | $589 | -% | Lease | |
| 80 | 2024 Buick Encore GX Preferred | $27,770 | $289 | -% | Lease | |
| 81 | 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE S-AWC | $45,010 | $402 | -% | Lease | |
| 82 | 2025 Lexus NX 250 | $43,240 | $491 | -% | Lease | |
| 83 | 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE S-AWC | $44,910 | $379 | -% | Lease | |
| 84 | 2025 GMC HUMMER EV SUV e4WD 2X | $99,720 | $1,187 | -% | Buy | |
| 85 | 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Stelvio Ti | $52,645 | $599 | -% | Lease | |
| 86 | 2024 Genesis G80 - | $75,625 | $768 | -% | Lease | |
| 87 | 2025 Audi Q6 e-tron 50 Premium | $67,615 | $693 | -% | Lease | |
| 88 | 2025 Volvo S90 B6 Plus | $59,495 | $507 | -% | Lease | |
| 89 | 2024 Lexus RZ 450E Premium | $62,970 | $557 | -% | Lease | |
| 90 | 2025 Dodge Charger R/T | $61,590 | $628 | -% | Lease | |
| 91 | 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV 2LT | $51,070 | $488 | -% | Lease | |
| 92 | 2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Core | $54,895 | $472 | -% | Lease | |
| 93 | 2025 Cadillac Lyriq Luxury | $60,865 | $643 | -% | Lease | |
| 94 | 2025 Lexus RX 350 | $50,825 | $569 | -% | Lease | |
| 95 | 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation | $57,770 | $483 | -% | Lease | |
| 96 | 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce | $50,435 | $499 | -% | Lease | |
| 97 | 2024 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup e4WD 2X | $99,720 | $992 | -% | Lease | |
| 98 | 2025 Audi S3 Premium Plus | $52,395 | $626 | -% | Buy | |
| 99 | 2024 Chevrolet Colorado LT | $37,670 | $457 | -% | Buy | |
| 100 | 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge Core | $53,745 | $660 | -% | Buy | |
| 101 | 2024 Jeep Gladiator Sport S | $46,555 | $543 | -% | Lease | |
| 102 | 2025 Cadillac XT5 Luxury | $46,565 | $543 | -% | Lease | |
| 103 | 2025 Lexus RZ 300E | $43,975 | $443 | -% | Lease | |
| 104 | 2025 GMC Sierra EV e4WD Denali | $92,870 | $1,101 | -% | Buy | |
| 105 | 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron 55 Premium Plus | $79,995 | $793 | -% | Lease | |
| 106 | 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV e4WD 2X | $99,720 | $1,110 | -% | Lease | |
| 107 | 2025 Genesis G70 2.5T | $43,850 | $518 | -% | Buy | |
| 108 | 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST | $97,370 | $982 | -% | Lease | |
| 109 | 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4-door Sport | $43,450 | $449 | -% | Lease | |
| 110 | 2025 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck | $41,570 | $492 | -% | Buy | |
| 111 | 2025 Lexus UX 300h | $39,615 | $394 | -% | Lease | |
| 112 | 2025 GMC Terrain Elevation | $32,270 | $390 | -% | Buy | |
| 113 | 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation | $58,070 | $475 | -% | Lease | |
| 114 | 2025 Genesis G80 2.5T | $58,450 | $712 | -% | Buy | |
| 115 | 2024 Dodge Charger R/T | $61,590 | $588 | -% | Lease | |
| 116 | 2025 Jeep Gladiator Sport | $39,995 | $426 | -% | Lease | |
| 117 | 2025 Chevrolet Equinox LT | $30,870 | $359 | -% | Lease | |
| 118 | 2025 Honda CR-V Fuel Cell | $51,395 | $418 | -% | Lease | |
| 119 | 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 | $100,370 | $1,152 | -% | Lease | |
| 120 | 2025 Genesis GV60 Standard | $53,800 | $564 | -% | Lease | |
| 121 | 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Eawd | $53,930 | $614 | -% | Lease | |
| 122 | 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude | $45,435 | $505 | -% | Lease | |
| 123 | 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom | $50,820 | $537 | -% | Lease | |
| 124 | 2024 GMC Terrain SLE | $30,970 | $311 | -% | Lease | |
| 125 | 2025 Lexus ES 350 | $43,544 | $482 | -% | Lease |
Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate
the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
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