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 $30,000 and the leasing company has calculated a residual value of 50% after 36 months, that means the total depreciation cost will be $15,000 (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 2024 Toyota Tacoma, with a residual value of 78% over 3 years. With an MSRP of $43,491 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 | 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 | $43,419 | $384 | 78% | Lease | |
| 2 | 2025 Kia Sorento LX | $31,990 | $392 | 72% | Buy | |
| 3 | 2024 Toyota Tacoma i-FORCE MAX TRD Sport | $52,125 | $556 | 71% | Lease | |
| 4 | 2025 Toyota Tundra SR | $48,313 | $482 | 70% | Lease | |
| 5 | 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe SE | $35,615 | $431 | 70% | Buy | |
| 6 | 2025 Toyota Sienna XLE | $48,869 | $553 | 68% | Lease | |
| 7 | 2024 Toyota Sienna LE | $41,770 | $511 | 68% | Buy | |
| 8 | 2025 Toyota Sequoia SR5 | $73,463 | $775 | 67% | Lease | |
| 9 | 2024 Toyota Tundra SR5 | $54,624 | $530 | 67% | Lease | |
| 10 | 2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE PHV | $34,594 | $334 | 67% | Lease | |
| 11 | 2025 Hyundai Palisade SE | $38,215 | $470 | 67% | Buy | |
| 12 | 2024 Kia Sportage X-Line | $39,590 | $373 | 66.2% | Lease | |
| 13 | 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander XLE | $46,822 | $569 | 66% | Buy | |
| 14 | 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SE | $35,365 | $421 | 66% | Buy | |
| 15 | 2024 Toyota Prius LE | $30,899 | $374 | 65% | Buy | |
| 16 | 2025 Honda Ridgeline RTL | $44,375 | $493 | 65% | Lease | |
| 17 | 2025 Subaru Outback Base | $30,315 | $375 | 65% | Buy | |
| 18 | 2024 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX Max LTD | $65,450 | $686 | 65% | Lease | |
| 19 | 2025 Toyota RAV4 LE | $30,574 | $376 | 64% | Buy | |
| 20 | 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive Model 3 Long Range | $42,490 | $410 | 64% | Lease | |
| 21 | 2024 Hyundai Sonata SEL | $28,650 | $320 | 63% | Lease | |
| 22 | 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE | $23,025 | $281 | 63% | Buy | |
| 23 | 2024 Honda Ridgeline RTL | $43,975 | $442 | 63% | Lease | |
| 24 | 2024 Hyundai Palisade SE | $38,045 | $450 | 62% | Buy | |
| 25 | 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT | $65,090 | $647 | 62% | Lease | |
| 26 | 2024 Subaru WRX WRX | $33,855 | $411 | 62% | Buy | |
| 27 | 2024 Toyota RAV4 LE | $31,824 | $394 | 62% | Buy | |
| 28 | 2024 Toyota 4Runner SR5 | $44,901 | $521 | 62% | Lease | |
| 29 | 2024 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select | $31,720 | $367 | 61% | Lease | |
| 30 | 2024 Subaru Ascent Premium | $39,800 | $480 | 61% | Buy | |
| 31 | 2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range | $44,990 | $461 | 61% | Lease | |
| 32 | 2025 Hyundai Tucson SE | $29,750 | $353 | 60% | Buy | |
| 33 | 2024 Nissan Frontier SV | $37,560 | $430 | 60% | Lease | |
| 34 | 2025 Toyota Corolla SE | $25,437 | $316 | 60% | Buy | |
| 35 | 2025 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo Preferred | $41,900 | $489 | 60% | Lease | |
| 36 | 2024 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select | $41,900 | $450 | 59.1% | Lease | |
| 37 | 2025 Toyota Crown Signia XLE | $45,695 | $563 | 59% | Buy | |
| 38 | 2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range | $44,990 | $410 | 59% | Lease | |
| 39 | 2024 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S | $27,920 | $339 | 59% | Buy | |
| 40 | 2024 Hyundai Elantra SE | $22,775 | $271 | 58% | Buy | |
| 41 | 2024 Nissan Altima SV | $28,920 | $329 | 58% | Lease | |
| 42 | 2023 Hyundai Nexo Limited | $64,920 | $748 | 58% | Lease | |
| 43 | 2024 Honda Accord EX | $31,005 | $373 | 58% | Buy | |
| 44 | 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE PHV | $47,124 | $443 | 58% | Lease | |
| 45 | 2024 Nissan Pathfinder SV | $41,400 | $509 | 57% | Buy | |
| 46 | 2024 BMW i7 eDrive50 | $106,695 | $1,191 | 55% | Lease | |
| 47 | 2024 Hyundai Tucson SE | $28,975 | $343 | 55% | Buy | |
| 48 | 2024 BMW i4 M50 | $72,545 | $728 | 54% | Lease | |
| 49 | 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 | $69,795 | $812 | 54% | Lease | |
| 50 | 2025 Nissan LEAF S 40 kWh | $29,815 | $354 | 54% | Buy | |
| 51 | 2025 BMW i5 xDrive40 | $72,925 | $864 | 54% | Buy | |
| 52 | 2024 BMW 7 Series 740i | $99,145 | $1,128 | 54% | Lease | |
| 53 | 2024 Kia Niro EV Wind | $39,600 | $324 | 53.8% | Lease | |
| 54 | 2024 Kia EV9 Light Long Range | $59,200 | $527 | 53.3% | Lease | |
| 55 | 2025 BMW iX xDrive50 | $90,925 | $858 | 53% | Lease | |
| 56 | 2024 Mercedes EQE Sedan EQE 350+ | $76,050 | $750 | 53% | Lease | |
| 57 | 2025 BMW i4 eDrive40 | $60,425 | $596 | 53% | Lease | |
| 58 | 2024 Infiniti QX50 Pure | $42,350 | $518 | 53% | Buy | |
| 59 | 2024 Mercedes EQS Sedan EQS 450+ | $105,550 | $1,074 | 51% | Lease | |
| 60 | 2024 Infiniti QX55 Luxe | $51,500 | $586 | 51% | Lease | |
| 61 | 2024 Mercedes EQS SUV EQS 450+ | $105,550 | $1,179 | 51% | Lease | |
| 62 | 2024 Mercedes EQE SUV EQE 350+ | $79,050 | $874 | 51% | Lease | |
| 63 | 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Range | $45,950 | $334 | 49.4% | Lease | |
| 64 | 2024 Honda Prologue TRG 1 Speed | $53,095 | $310 | 49% | Lease | |
| 65 | 2024 Mercedes EQB EQB 250+ | $54,200 | $544 | 47% | Lease | |
| 66 | 2024 Nissan LEAF S | $29,810 | $335 | 47% | Lease | |
| 67 | 2024 Subaru Solterra Premium | $46,340 | $280 | 42% | Lease | |
| 68 | 2023 Subaru Solterra Limited | $49,720 | $379 | 39% | Lease | |
| 69 | 2024 Toyota bZ4X XLE | $47,779 | $296 | 38% | Lease | |
| 70 | 2025 Volvo S90 B6 Plus | $59,495 | $699 | null% | Buy | |
| 71 | 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV 2X | $99,720 | $1,117 | null% | Lease | |
| 72 | 2024 Volvo C40 Recharge Core | $54,895 | $556 | null% | Lease | |
| 73 | 2024 Dodge Durango GT Plus | $52,505 | $570 | null% | Lease | |
| 74 | 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron 55 Premium | $61,095 | $567 | null% | Lease | |
| 75 | 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman | $54,190 | $578 | null% | Lease | |
| 76 | 2025 GMC HUMMER EV SUV e4WD 2X | $99,720 | $1,060 | null% | Lease | |
| 77 | 2024 Cadillac XT5 Luxury | $46,165 | $505 | null% | Lease | |
| 78 | 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE S-AWC | $45,010 | $396 | null% | Lease | |
| 79 | 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation | $58,070 | $491 | null% | Lease | |
| 80 | 2025 Buick Encore GX Preferred | $26,161 | $274 | null% | Lease | |
| 81 | 2024 Jeep Compass Limited | $35,340 | $336 | null% | Lease | |
| 82 | 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge Core | $53,745 | $655 | null% | Buy | |
| 83 | 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T | $44,590 | $378 | null% | Lease | |
| 84 | 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback 55 Premium | $64,095 | $596 | null% | Lease | |
| 85 | 2025 GMC Sierra EV e4WD Denali | $92,870 | $999 | null% | Lease | |
| 86 | 2024 Chevrolet Blazer 2LT | $42,820 | $527 | null% | Buy | |
| 87 | 2024 Lexus NX 450h+ | $64,155 | $693 | null% | Lease | |
| 88 | 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 | $100,370 | $1,192 | null% | Buy | |
| 89 | 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SE S-AWC | $44,910 | $386 | null% | Lease | |
| 90 | 2025 Chevrolet Equinox LT | $31,955 | $374 | null% | Buy | |
| 91 | 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition | $71,995 | $721 | null% | Lease | |
| 92 | 2025 Lexus ES 350 | $43,715 | $538 | null% | Buy | |
| 93 | 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Tonale | $53,930 | $624 | null% | Lease | |
| 94 | 2024 Audi Q5 e e 55 S line Premium | $65,780 | $687 | null% | Lease | |
| 95 | 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV 2LT | $51,070 | $490 | null% | Lease | |
| 96 | 2024 Lexus RX 350 | $52,060 | $577 | null% | Lease | |
| 97 | 2024 GMC Terrain SLE | $35,185 | $370 | null% | Lease | |
| 98 | 2025 Chrysler Pacifica Select | $52,750 | $622 | null% | Buy | |
| 99 | 2024 Buick Encore GX Preferred | $29,770 | $333 | null% | Lease | |
| 100 | 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4-door Sport | $40,990 | $458 | null% | Lease | |
| 101 | 2025 Lexus NX 250 | $43,090 | $517 | null% | Buy | |
| 102 | 2025 Audi Q5 55 Tfsi e Premium Plus | $66,815 | $737 | null% | Lease | |
| 103 | 2024 Genesis G80 2.5T | $55,650 | $682 | null% | Buy | |
| 104 | 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron e-tron Premium | $80,840 | $773 | null% | Lease | |
| 105 | 2024 Chevrolet Equinox LT | $31,765 | $329 | null% | Lease | |
| 106 | 2024 Lexus RZ 300E Premium | $58,875 | $443 | null% | Lease | |
| 107 | 2025 Dodge Durango GT | $45,985 | $496 | null% | Lease | |
| 108 | 2024 Buick Envision Preferred | $38,170 | $467 | null% | Buy | |
| 109 | 2025 Lexus RX 350 | $50,825 | $587 | null% | Lease | |
| 110 | 2024 Genesis GV60 Standard | $53,350 | $511 | null% | Lease | |
| 111 | 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback Sportback e-tron S line Premium | $78,995 | $787 | null% | Lease | |
| 112 | 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom | $47,420 | $494 | null% | Lease | |
| 113 | 2024 Lexus TX 350 Premium | $62,860 | $643 | null% | Lease | |
| 114 | 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 S | $44,855 | $402 | null% | Lease | |
| 115 | 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec 1 Speed | $65,850 | $642 | null% | Lease | |
| 116 | 2025 Genesis GV60 Standard | $53,700 | $569 | null% | Lease | |
| 117 | 2024 Cadillac CT4 excluding V Premium Luxury | $41,764 | $480 | null% | Lease | |
| 118 | 2025 Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX Limited i-Force MAX 5.5’ Bed | $62,950 | $771 | null% | Buy | |
| 119 | 2024 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup e4WD 2X | $99,720 | $998 | null% | Lease | |
| 120 | 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan S | $28,880 | $329 | null% | Lease | |
| 121 | 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Select | $52,750 | $612 | null% | Lease | |
| 122 | 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Ti | $47,435 | $560 | null% | Buy | |
| 123 | 2025 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup e4WD 2X | $99,720 | $1,068 | null% | Lease | |
| 124 | 2024 Cadillac Lyriq Luxury | $67,065 | $714 | null% | 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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