The best leasing offers for new cars at the lowest prices

 


There's no shame in driving an entry-level car in the most basic trim. While there will be people who swear that anything below a certain price is awful and not worth talking about, that attitude ignores the truth: Today's bargain-level subcompacts and crossovers are higher quality and better equipped than ever before. To that end, we've selected lease specials on 12 vehicles with starting prices of $25,000 or less, including delivery fees. We've tested them all, and while we won't pretend they all deserve our highest honors and recommendation, they do the basics and are easy on your budget.

Read our leasing guide

Be sure to read our leasing guide first . We've covered everything that could be missed on the showroom floor: promotional fees, financial factors, residual values, legal implications, and all the other fine print that could cost you thousands more than you'd expect. When comparing similar cars, keep in mind that a lower monthly price often requires more money up front. As with any national leasing special, enter your zip code on a car manufacturer's website to see if these deals apply to your area. Prices do not include taxes or fees and may be higher or lower depending on your location. Research is always your friend.



Nissan

Nissan Kicks (model year 2025)

$249 per month/$3519 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

The Kicks is brand new for 2025, having launched in 2018 as the successor to the Juke. We just drove it and it's much improved. Nissan has given it some edgy styling, added all-wheel drive, upgraded the interior's sore spot and given the engine (a little) more oomph. This lease deal in the New York area for the S AWD trim seems to be the cheapest in the country, although the plastic hubcaps ruin the style.


Marc Urbano|Car and Driver

Chevrolet Trax (model year 2024)

$249 per month/$3269 at signing,
24 months/20,000 miles

American automakers have a terrible track record in this segment, so we understand if you're having a hard time accepting our recommendation for the Chevy Trax. Still, the Trax landed on our list of the 10 best trucks and SUVs (technically, it's a crossover), and that's why we're putting 40,000 miles on a 2024 Trax -- even though it's the mid-level Activ trim. Our outlook is hopeful, and even the base LT model offers a lot for just over $20,000. In comparison, the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul seem a bit overpriced.



Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Buick Envista (model year 2024)

$199 per month/$4,356 at signing,
24 months/20,000 miles

Buick packs all the Trax's advantages into a sportier and slightly more premium package. The Envista is essentially a budget BMW X2 - a crossover coupe, but costs $60 less than the Trax for the same lease term. The lack of all-wheel drive and slow acceleration are big drawbacks, but at this price for the base Preferred trim, you don't need those to stop you from considering this Buick.



Nissan

Nissan Sentra (2024)

$279 per month/$2549 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

Nissan prices its cars aggressively, and it helps that the latest models look snazzy and are well-made. The Sentra gets new grille and bumper designs, updated wheels and an upgraded CVT for 2024. The fancy SR with the contrasting black roof and 18-inch wheels costs $329 a month if the base S model isn't stylish enough for you on this lease.



Andi Hedrick|Car and Driver

Volkswagen Jetta (2024)

$189 per month/$3,499 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

The Jetta represents solid, economical transportation, but with a dash of spice. Volkswagen has always strived to provide good steering feel and handling in all of its cars, and that's true even for the base Jetta S. For 2024, the Jetta gets standard driver assistance systems, a synthetic leather wrap for the steering wheel, a real leather shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rain-sensing wipers. A six-speed manual transmission is also standard. That's something you won't find in any other car on this list - and it's going away with the 2025 model.



Hyundai

Hyundai Elantra (2024)

$159 per month/$3,999 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

It took the Elantra six generations to impress us, but here we are. While the meager acceleration of this SEL trim won't wow anyone, the build quality and standard features are quite solid. The available powertrains -- a four-cylinder, a hybrid, and two turbo four-cylinders -- offer plenty of flexibility for your budget. This lease deal includes the larger 10.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument panel, 16-inch alloy wheels, and hands-free trunk release. Despite a $500 higher final lease payment than the other non-hybrid trims, it's less expensive over three years than the base SE model ($179 per month). The Limited ($249) and N Line ($279) models are available with the same lease terms as the SE model.



Hyundai

Hyundai Venue (2024)

$229 per month/$3,499 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

Hyundai's smallest of the five gasoline-powered crossovers is also the least expensive vehicle: The SE costs just over $20,000 on this lease. You'll have to make do with key ignition, a basic six-speaker stereo, and front-wheel drive. In return, Hyundai delivers a roomy subcompact crossover that's the perfect size for city drivers. It's also considerate of Hyundai to offer bright, vibrant colors (like Green Apple and Intense Blue) at no extra cost.


Subaru

Subaru Impreza (2024)

$249 per month/$2549 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

The Impreza is the most affordable new vehicle with standard all-wheel drive. It enters its sixth generation in 2024, although what Subaru defines as "new" is actually more "evolutionary." So the Impreza offers few bells and whistles and an interior that could have come from a much older car. And the engine is loud and underpowered. But with those low acquisition fees and monthly payments, you could easily become a loyal Subaru customer.



Toyota

Toyota Corolla (2024)

$229 per month/$3,999 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

There is a Corolla of our dreams , but this base LE is not it. Instead of the rough and tumble rally experience of the GR, the LE is a predictable and quiet commuter car, just as the Corolla has been for six decades. For more money, you get the all-wheel-drive hybrid, which approaches the efficiency of the Prius for less money and with more rear-seat headroom. The front-wheel-drive LE Hybrid costs $289 a month, while a 2025 Corolla hatchback costs $249.

 



Kia

Kia Soul (model year 2025)

$249 per month/$3499 at signing,
24 months/20,000 miles

inherited the coolness of the Scion xB , and it's still going strong after 15 years. Although the 2023 refresh drops the 201-hp turbo engine and rugged X-Line trim, the subcompact Soul retains just enough oomph to feel alive. As always, standard features are generously sized even on this base LX, and the cube-shaped cabin is plenty spacious—there's 62 cubic feet of cargo space, as much or more than many compact luxury SUVs. Kia is also the most flexible automaker when it comes to leasing terms. We appreciate the choice between a two- or three-year lease for the exact same price. A 2024 model maintains those terms and costs $20 less per month.



Kia

Kia Forte (2024)

$189 per month/$3,499 at signing,
24 months/20,000 miles

The first Forte sedan and coupe weren't as big a hit as the Soul. The latest Forte didn't impress us either, so it comes in last among compact sedans. But we're picky. What the Forte lacks in driver involvement, it makes up for in value. The LXS in this lease comes with lane-keeping assist and alloy wheels, and gets an estimated 41 mpg on the highway.



Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Chevrolet Trailblazer (2024)

$299 per month/$3299 at signing,
36 months/30,000 miles

The Trailblazer used to be bigger than the Trax, but the latest Trax is now bigger than the Trailblazer. The real difference? The Trailblazer has all-wheel drive options and a more powerful turbo three-cylinder with a nine-speed transmission, even if that extra power doesn't equate to a noticeable increase in performance . The base 137-horsepower engine is what you get in this LT AWD. If you're currently leasing a 2019 or newer vehicle, GM is dropping the lease fee to $1799.

 

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