The New Honda Accord Practically Drives Itself. Here's How Much It Costs To Lease One. (Expired)

For 2016, Accord gets a facelift and newly available driver assistance technology called Honda Sensing.

Honda Sensing includes Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts vehicle speed based on traffic ahead.

It also includes a Lane Keeping Assist System, which helps center the car in its lane. Together, these two features enable the car to effectively drive itself under certain circumstances.

Honda says the intent of these systems is to enhance driver comfort and safety. These systems do not truly provide autonomous driving; the driver is still very much responsible for monitoring and controlling the vehicle.

Still, this is exciting technology that was unimaginable only a few years ago. Now you can get Honda Sensing on any Accord as an option.

Leasehackr has crunched the numbers on Honda's October 2015 lease program for the Accord. Here's an example of an excellent but totally doable deal.

  
    2016 Honda Accord LX with Honda Sensing - Sample Lease
  
    MSRP
    $24,725
  
    Target Capitalized Cost
    $22,895*
  
    36-Month Residual
    $14,340 (58% of MSRP)**
  
    Money Factor
    .00051 (1.22% APR)
  
    Estimate
    $257 per month
  
    Valid Through
    10/31/15

$0 down payment with only first month's payment and government fees due at signing. Does not include sales tax.

*Assumes a 95th percentile sales price of $22,300 plus $595 acquisition fee. Southern California market.

**Assumes 12,000 miles per year.

Leasehackr Score: 8.0 years
Leasing this car for one year amounts to paying 12% of its MSRP.

Our Take:

Although 2016 Accords have only begun to arrive at dealer, you should still be able to get a big discount off MSRP. This is, after all, one of the best-selling cars in America, and the streets will soon be flooded with 2016s.

Should you lease or buy? You can't go wrong with either. We think Honda Sensing helps futureproof the Accord, making it a good car to keep for a very long time, in which case you should buy. But if you're less certain about your future vehicle needs, then lease it. Honda's lease program for the 2016 Accord is reasonable (the money factor is just .00051), and it affords you more flexibility and protection against depreciation than buying.

Conditional Incentives:

There's a $500 recent college graduate or military appreciation bonus. It will save you about $15 each month.

2015 or 2016?

You'll find bigger discounts on the 2015, which will be $50-$60 cheaper per month to lease than a comparable 2016. If you see a lot of benefit in Honda Sensing (we think it's pretty cool!), then the 2016 is your only option. If you can do without, then the 2015 is a solid choice.

Manufacturer's Offer: None available yet.

Also consider: Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat
We love the: Roominess. Efficiency. Honda Sensing.
But watch out for: Not as engaging to drive as previous Accords. Fiddly infotainment system.