Compact Sedan Leases Ranked: Civic, Focus, Jetta, Cruze Limited ($58/Month) And More! (Expired)
We've crunched the numbers on 10 popular compact sedans to find out how much you should pay.
2016 Honda Civic Touring Sedan (source: www.hondacars.com)
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 sedan.
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.
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.
10. 2016 Subaru Impreza - From $221/Month
Don't expect huge discounts on Impreza. It's the most expensive car here to lease, but for those who want all-wheel drive, this is the only game in town. Subaru lease programs are national and do not vary by region. Program valid through March 31, 2016.
| 2016 Subaru Impreza CVT 2.0i | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $20,090 | $20,090 |
| Target selling price | $19,540 | $19,100* |
| Incentives | $0 | $0 |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 60% | 61%** |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00045 | .00045 |
| Lease Payment | $239 | $221 |
*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.
9. 2016 Mazda 3 - From $180/Month
Mazda's 3 is a superb car to drive. Too bad it's more expensive to lease than its more mainstream, high-volume competitors. Mazda's lease programs are national (with few exceptions) and do not vary by region. Program valid through May 2, 2016.
| 2016 Mazda 3 i Sport Automatic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $19,730 | $19,730 |
| Target selling price | $19,260 | $18,800* |
| Incentives | $915 | $1,665** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 56% | 57%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00001 | .00001 |
| Lease Payment | $219 | $180 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**With $750 Mazda Lease Loyalty Bonus. Alternatively, there's $500 Mazda Owner Loyalty, $500 Military, $500 Mazda Driving School, 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 Volkswagen Jetta - From $165/Month
Visually, Volkswagen's Jetta is as exciting as a bar of soap, but beneath its staid styling lies a decent powertrain, solid chassis, and cavernous interior. Volkswagen lease programs are national and do not vary by region. Program valid through April 4, 2016.
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta S 1.4T Automatic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $19,600 | $19,600 |
| Target selling price | $18,470 | $16,800* |
| Incentives | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 53% | 54%**^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00010 | .00010 |
| Lease Payment | $217 | $165 |
*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.
7. 2016 Honda Civic - From $159/Month
Packing adventurous styling, advanced safety features, and excellent fuel economy, Honda's all-new Civic returns near the top of its class for 2016. Honda's lease programs are national and do not vary by region. Programs valid through May 2, 2016.
| 2016 Honda Civic LX CVT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $20,275 | $20,275 |
| Target selling price | $19,600 | $18,200* |
| Incentives | $0 | $1,000** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 64% | 64% |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00083 | .00083 |
| Lease Payment | $228 | $159 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**$500 College Grad + $500 Military Appreciation Bonus
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
6. 2016 Ford Focus - From $137/Month
Despite its age, Focus is still one of the best-driving cars in its class, thanks to precise steering, a rigid chassis, and independent rear suspension. Deals can be great, too. Ford lease incentives vary slightly by region. Programs valid through April 4, 2016.
| 2016 Ford Focus SE Automatic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $20,485 | $20,485 |
| Target selling price | $19,510 | $18,000* |
| Incentives | $2,650 | $3,150** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 51% | 52%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00010 | .00010 |
| Lease Payment | $199 | $137 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**After $500 Grad/Military cash. Alternately, there's $250 Competitive Lease/RCL Lease Renewal cash.
^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 Toyota Corolla - From $134/Month
With its renowned reliability and reasonable price, Corolla is great for those who simply need, well, a car. Those seeking an enjoyable driving experience should look elsewhere. Toyota's programs vary by region. Programs valid through April 4, 2016.
| 2016 Toyota Corolla CVT LE Plus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $19,970 | $19,970 |
| Target selling price | $19,230 | $17,900* |
| Incentives | $1,000 | $1,750** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 64% | 64% |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00075 | .00075 |
| Lease Payment | $193 | $134 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**$1,000 TFS lease cash + $750 College Grad incentive
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
4. 2015 Nissan Sentra - From $117/Month
Nissan's soul-crushing Sentra is a cheap lease. Deals are best on leftover 2015 models. The face-lifted 2016 is marginally more interesting to look at but also more expensive to lease. Nissan incentives vary depending on region. Programs valid through March 31, 2016.
| 2015 Nissan Sentra CVT SV | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $19,185 | $19,185 |
| Target selling price | $19,300 | $16,560* |
| Incentives | $2,675 | $3,175** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 51% | 51% |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00003 | .00003 |
| Lease Payment | $207 | $117 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**$2,175 Lease Cash + $500 Bonus Cash + $500 College Grad Program
Sales tax not included. First month's payment, license/registration, document fee, and upfront taxes (if any) due at signing.
3. 2016 Kia Forte - $104/Month
Although a bit rough around the edges, Forte packs a lot of style, space, and equipment into an affordable package. Kia lease rates (i.e., money factor) vary ever so slightly by region. Programs valid through March 31, 2016.
| 2016 Kia Forte LX Automatic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $18,550 | $18,550 |
| Target selling price | $18,400 | $16,200* |
| Incentives | $2,100 | $2,900** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 55% | 56%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00026 | .00026 |
| Lease Payment | $193 | $104 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
**$2,100 lease cash + $400 Grad + $400 Military 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.
2. 2016 Hyundai Elantra - From $90/Month
Elantra is all-new for 2017; however, deals are better on the 2016. As for the car itself, it feels a bit unsubstantial compared to the class leaders, but there's no disputing the value. Hyundai lease programs are national for the most part and do not vary by region. Programs valid through February 29, 2016.
| 2016 Hyundai Elantra SE Automatic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $19,085 | $19,085 |
| Target selling price | $18,650 | $16,600* |
| Incentives | $2,000 | $3,900** |
| Months | 36 | 36 |
| Residual | 53% | 54%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00028 | .00028 |
| Lease Payment | $206 | $90 |
*Lowest price offered by a dealer on a car buying site or obtained from a quote.
$2,000 lease cash + $500 Military + $500 Competitive Owner/Loyalty + $500 BoostUp! + $400 Grad 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.
1. Chevrolet Cruze Limited - From $58/Month
We'll start with the bad news: GM ended the $2,500 Volt Loyalty incentive, so Volt owners looking for a free car (as some readers have reported) will be disappointed. On the upside, amazing deals can still be had, especially if you qualify for targeted incentives.
Go with the 24-month lease, which is more favorable than the 36-month term. Ask GM Financial to waive the $595 acquisition fee by marking up the money factor from .00040 to .00095—it saves money in this situation. Finally, consider the single-pay lease, which lowers the total cost even further.
Current lessees of non-GM cars qualify for a $1,500 incentive. Alternately, there's a $500 incentive for owners of non-GM cars. You can stack the $500 Farm Bureau incentive on top of either incentive. (It's easy to be a Farm Bureau associate member, but you need to have been a member for at least 30 days to qualify for the incentive.)
GM programs are national for the most part and do not vary much by region. Programs valid through March 31, 2016.
| 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Limited 1LT Automatic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Average Deal | Excellent Deal | |
| MSRP | $21,070 | $21,070 |
| Target selling price | $20,690 | $19,290* |
| Incentives | $3,455 | $5,455** |
| Months | 24 | 24 |
| Residual | 61% | 62%^ |
| Money Factor (MF) | .00040 | .00040 |
| Lease Payment | $211 | $58 |
