Compact SUV Leases Ranked: RAV4, CR-V, Escape, Tiguan ($164/Month, $0 Down) And More! (Expired)
Programs valid through January 4, 2016.
2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (source: www.jeep.com)
Crossover SUVs are all the rage now. In fact, they're on track to outsell the traditional four-door sedan. But what are they like to lease? We've crunched the numbers on 11 popular compact crossovers to find out how much you should pay.
How To Use This Guide
The cost of leasing a car is determined by 1) the negotiated selling price of the car and 2) the lease rates set by the manufacturer. We've obtained both types of data to create lease estimates for each compact SUV.
We've provided two kinds of estimates. The "Average Deal" assumes the average selling price in Southern California and the use of incentives that apply to everyone. The "Excellent Deal" assumes an excellent selling price and the use of all incentives, including those that may require special qualifications.
Each of the models ranked below represents the most common configuration. You can customize the estimates by using our lease calculator to adjust inputs like MSRP, selling price, and incentives. The lease estimates below assume $0 down payment, a Southern California zip code, and 12,000 miles per year, unless otherwise noted, and include the acquisition fee.
11. 2016 Subaru Forester Premium - From $274/Month
Subarus typically don't lease very well, and Forester is no exception. Personally, we'd buy one outright and drive until the wheels fall off (or the head gaskets start leaking). Subaru lease programs are national and do not vary by region.
| 2016 Subaru Forester Premium | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $26,645 | $26,645 |
| Target selling price | $25,451 | $24,800* |
| Incentives | $0 | $0 |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 63% | 64%** |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00100 | .00100 |
| Lease Payment | $300 | $274 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**10,000 miles/year option
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
10. 2016 Toyota RAV4 LE - From $248/Month
The 2016 RAV4 just arrived on dealer lots, and deals aren't great. You might have better luck in other regions, as Toyota's programs are highly regional. (In Northern California, there's $900 in lease cash and the MF is .00153.) The lease program on the 2015 is much better, but few are left on dealer lots.
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 LE FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $25,250 | $25,250 |
| Target selling price | $24,603 | $23,500* |
| Incentives | $0 | $750** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 64% | 64% |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00190 | .00118^ |
| Lease Payment | $331 | $248 |
**Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With College Grad rebate
^After Multiple Security Deposits (9)
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
9. Mazda CX-5 Touring - From $242/Month
Mazda's fun-to-drive CX-5 is the enthusiast's choice. However, you'll be paying a bit more for the zoom-zoom as deals are so-so. Oddly, the terms are best on the 33-month lease. Mazda's lease programs are national (with few exceptions) and do not vary by region.
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 Touring FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $26,095 | $26,095 |
| Target selling price | $25,438 | $24,800* |
| Incentives | $500 | $1,250** |
| Months | 33 | 33 |
| Residual | 61% | 62%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00001 | .00001 |
| Lease Payment | $292 | $242 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With Mazda Lease Loyalty Bonus. Alternatively, there's $500 Military or $250 Grad cash.
^10,000 miles/year option
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
8. 2016 Honda CR-V LX - From $241/Month
CR-V is the best-selling SUV in America. We can understand why: it's spacious, efficient, and very practical. Deals are so-so. Honda's lease programs are national and do not vary by region.
| 2016 Honda CR-V LX FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $24,495 | $24,495 |
| Target selling price | $23,692 | $22,500* |
| Incentives | $0 | $500** |
| Months | 39 | 39 |
| Residual | 64% | 64% |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00165 | .00165 |
| Lease Payment | $287 | $241 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With College Grad/Military Appreciation Bonus
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
7. 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE - From $237/Month
Tucson is all-new for 2016 and, with the right set of wheels, it's a looker. Hyundai lease programs are national for the most part and do not vary by region.
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $23,595 | $23,595 |
| Target selling price | $23,314 | $21,500* |
| Incentives | $1,000 | $1,500** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 57% | 58%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00132 | .00132 |
| Lease Payment | $311 | $237 |
**Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With Military, Owner Loyalty, or BoostUp! rebate
^10,000 miles/year option
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
6. 2016 Ford Escape SE - From $227/Month
Ford's Escape is due for a refresh model year 2017. If you can live without the glitz and glamour, the current model has excellent bones and drives quite well. Ford lease programs and incentives vary slightly by region.
| 2016 Ford Escape SE FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $26,195 | $26,195 |
| Target selling price | $24,984 | $23,700* |
| Incentives | $1,750 | $2,750** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 55% | 56%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00094 | .00094 |
| Lease Payment | $299 | $227 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**After Trade-In Assistance rebate (need expiring lease or a trade-in). CA only; other incentives exist for other regions.
^10,500 miles/year option
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
5. 2016 Nissan Rogue S - From $208/Month
Nissan's value-oriented Rogue is a decent lease. Nissan programs are national for the most part and do not vary by region.
| 2016 Nissan Rogue S FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $24,640 | $24,640 |
| Target selling price | $24,298 | $22,000* |
| Incentives | $1,050 | $1,050 |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 60% | 60% |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00055 | .00055 |
| Lease Payment | $273 | $208 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
4. 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude - From $197/Month
You can score a pretty good deal on Cherokee, especially if you're leasing a non-FCA (Fiat Chrysler) car. Critics say Cherokee could use more calibration and refinement, but it does pack a lot of character (and size!) for the money. FCA incentives vary slightly by region.
| 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $26,290 | $26,290 |
| Target selling price | $25,988 | $23,000* |
| Incentives | $1,500 | $2,500** |
| Months | 39 | 39 |
| Residual | 48% | 49%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00005 | .00005 |
| Lease Payment | $306 | $197 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With Conquest Lessee rebate (must currently lease a non-FCA car)
^10,000 miles/year option
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
3. Kia Sportage LX - From $191/Month
Kia's cheap and cheerful Sportage will soon be replaced with an all-new model. Kia lease rates (i.e., money factor) vary ever so slightly by region.
| 2016 Kia Sportage LX FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $23,045 | $23,045 |
| Target selling price | $22,674 | $20,200* |
| Incentives | $1,000 | $1,400** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 55% | 56%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00033 | .00033 |
| Lease Payment | $278 | $191 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With Grad/Military rebate
^10,000 miles/year option
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
2. 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan S - From $164/Month
Thanks to Dieselgate, Volkswagen's Tiguan is a very good lease right now. Tiguan is small for the class, but it packs good driving dynamics and solid build quality. Anyone who currently owns or leases a non-VW qualifies for the $1,500 Conquest Bonus Cash. Volkswagen lease programs are national and do not vary by region.
| 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan S FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $25,755 | $25,755 |
| Target selling price | $25,075 | $23,000* |
| Incentives | $0 | $1,500** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 62% | 63%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00001 | .00001 |
| Lease Payment | $271 | $164 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With Conquest Bonus Cash (must currently own or lease a non-VW)
^10,000 miles/year option
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
1. 2016 Chevrolet Equinox LT - From $94/Month
We've covered Equinox before. If you qualify for certain targeted incentives, you can get a ridiculously good lease. Even with just the Bonus Tag and lesser incentives, sub-$200 per month leases should be possible. GM Financial's lease programs are national, but incentives may vary by region.
| 2016 Chevrolet Equinox LT FWD | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $27,345 | $27,345 |
| Target selling price | $26,641 | $25,000* |
| Incentives | $2,050 | $5,050** |
| Months | 24 | 24 |
| Residual | 68% | 69%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00070 | .00070 |
| Lease Payment | $304 | $94 |
