Best Lease Deals For January 2021

Many manufacturers are offering lease deals and incentives this month on 2020 and 2021 models for all different types of vehicles.

Let's break down these offers by category and highlight some of the best lease deals right now.

Best Lease Deals Right Now (across all vehicle types)

Here's our picks for the best vehicle lease deals for the month of January.

#1 Deal: 2020 Nissan Leaf

Lease Deal: $199/month for 36 months, $199 due at signing

Check Nissan Leaf Prices

#2 Deal: 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid

Lease Deal: $159/month for 36 months, $2,999 due at signing

Check Corolla Hybrid Prices

#3 Deal: 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

Lease Deal: $149/month for 39 months, $3,499 due at signing

Check VW Jetta Prices

#4 Deal: 2021 Toyota Tacoma

Lease Deal: $199/month for 39 months, $2,999 due at signing

Check Toyota Tacoma Prices

#5 Deal: 2021 Honda Civic

Lease Deal: $260/month for 36 months, $0 due at signing

Check Honda Civic Prices

#6 Deal: 2021 Kia Sportage

Lease Deal: $179/month for 36 months, $3,299 due at signing

Check Kia Sportage Prices

#7 Deal: 2021 Volvo S60

Lease Deal: $329/month for 36 months, $3,629 due at signing

Check Volvo S60 Prices

#8 Deal: 2021 BMW X1

Lease Deal: $429/month for 36 months, $2,999 due at signing

Check BMW X1 Prices

#9 Deal: 2021 Mazda3 Sedan

Lease Deal: $203/month for 36 months, $2,499 due at signing

Check Mazda3 Prices

#10 Deal: 2021 Subaru Impreza

Lease Deal: $199/month for 36 months, $1,999 due at signing

Check Subaru Impreza Prices

Our Top Pick in Each Vehicle Class & Category

Best Lease Deals (Video)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you lease without a down payment?

Yes, some car brands advertise zero down leases.  Here’s the full list of zero down offers right now.

Even if it’s not advertised, some dealers make the down payment optional if you meet their credit requirements.  Keep in mind that a zero down lease will raise your monthly payment since you are not pre-paying some of the lease obligation.

Is it cheaper to buy or lease a car?

Monthly payments are cheaper when leasing a car.  But if you buy and keep a car after it’s paid off, it’s cheaper in the long run. Here are some of the cheapest lease offers with monthly payments under $200.

Does leasing a car build credit?

Yes, leasing a car builds credits in the same way that buying a car does.  You just need to show a history of paying in full and on time.

What credit score do I need to lease a car?

With some exceptions, the typical minimum credit score to lease a car is 620. However, unless your credit score is over 680, you will not qualify for the best lease deals.

What is capitalized cost in a car lease?

Capitalized cost is the total amount being financed with a lease.  This is the price of the vehicle and all associated fees, minus whatever you pay in cash for your down payment and your trade-in.

What is the money factor in a car lease?

The money factor is the financing rate on a lease, similar to interest paid on a loan, but expressed a little differently.  The lower the money factor, the less your monthly payment will be.

Is it better to buy or lease a car?

Leasing a car does result in lower monthly car payments.  But for most car buyers, it makes more financial sense to buy a car outright than to lease.  The exceptions are if you are deducting the car as a business expense or you want to replace your car every 2-3 years.  Learn more about the reasons to buy or lease a car.

Why do dealers want you to lease?

Dealers love to offer leases because they will make more profit than a typical car sale.  And consumers are less likely to negotiate a lease due to seemingly low payments and confusing financial terms like money factor and capitalized cost.