Top 10 Cheapest Cars to Lease

Sami Haj-Assaad
by Sami Haj-Assaad
top 10 cheapest cars to lease
top 10 cheapest cars to lease

While it might not appeal to everyone, leasing is a great way to get into a car for a lot less cash than buying. That said, here’s a list of 10 low-cost lease deals that are hard to ignore, since none of them crack the $200 a month price-point.

An automatic Kia Rio LX sedan costs $15,500 up front. While that’s a low, low price tag for an attractive looking subcompact, the real deal is with the lease offer. After putting down just $1,999, you can lease a Rio LX for just $159 a month. The LX model is the most stripped out Rio you can get, sporting 15″ wheels with hubcaps. There’s a few optional extras like the Eco driving mode and power windows.

The Rio is the ideal choice for those looking for a powerful subcompact, since the vehicle is powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine which makes 138-hp. The cars small size and peppy engine also make it pretty thrifty on fuel, with EPA ratings of 28 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway and 31 mpg combined. Check out the Kia Rio specs and read our full review here.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
The Honda Fit subcompact is one of the most popular small cars on the market due to its fun driving dynamics and practicality. It’s worth $17,015 but you can spend considerably less than that by opting to lease, which will cost you just $159 a month, after a $1,999 down payment.

Making just 117 hp, the Honda Fit is less powerful than some of its main competitors, but it is incredibly spacious, and nets some solid fuel economy. Expect to get 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, good for 31 mpg combined. At that price the Fit sports a five-speed automatic transmission, stability control, cruise control and 160-watt sound system which has MP3 and USB compatibility. Read our Honda Fit Review here and check out the full Honda Fit specs.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
The only vehicle on this list with standard AWD, the Subaru Impreza is a practical and all-weather capable vehicle which is available for just $159/month. A car that is worth its $17,895 price tag, the Impreza is a solid choice, and is one of the most spacious vehicles on this list.

The Imprezas two-liter boxer engine makes just 148 hp, and the extra weight of the AWD system means that the car isn’t the most efficient vehicle on this list, getting 25 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined. The base Subaru Impreza features Bluetooth connectivity and an handy trip computer which gives you all the details on your driving habits. Read our Subaru Impreza review and checkout the specs too.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease

The Scion xD subcompact has a hard-to-miss style and price. A car worth $17,555 is a solid lease at $149 a month, and is a steal when you consider you’re spending under $2,000 upfront. This makes the xD one of the most affordable hatchbacks for those in the market for a lease.

Earning 29 mpg combined, the xD isn’t the most fuel friendly vehicles on this list, but at least it’s one of the cheapest. The xD also features quite a few convenience features including power windows and locks and 60/40 split folding rear seats. Read our latest Scion xD review and check out the full specs of the Scion xD.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
Lease deals are a great way to get customers in the door of some dealerships, which is likely why Mitsubishi has such low price tags on its Lancer sedans. The base model SE is available for $149 a month, with a hefty upfront cost, and if you want a few more standard features you can still get a Lancer ES for the same monthly rate for under $100 more up-front.

The Lancer features power windows and locks, and sports a solid 140-watt sound system. The Lancer also features seven airbags. Read our latest Mitsubishi Lancer Review, and check out the Lancer’s full specs.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
While the Chevrolet Spark subcompact is no longer available with a national leasing deal, the Cruze still is, and Chevy is hoping to move some 2013 models before the 2014 vehicles begin to take over. This sale means that you can get a car worth $17,130 for as little as $149 a month, and spend just $1,629 up front.

The Chevy Cruze features some solid styling and adequate space for rear seat passengers. The Cruze also features a spacious trunk. A safety powerhouse, the Cruze comes with 10 airbags as standard equipment. Those into high-tech offerings will appreciate the OnStar service, and the vehicles standard Bluetooth connectivity. Read our Chevy Cruze Review, and take a look at the full specs.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
The attractive and practical Nissan Versa Note is a solid car worth $13,990 brand new. Savvy buyers will be able to spend just $139 a month with an attractive lease offer from Nissan which costs you just $1,999 up front.

A new vehicle for 2013, the Versa Note is available with a suite of high tech features, like an around view parking camera. The car’s bubbly styling is sure to be a hit, and the extra practicality of the hatchback is a great reason to look at a Versa Note. This model sports power mirrors, air conditioning and 60/40 split folding rear seats. Read our Nissan Versa Note Review, and check out the full specs of the Nissan Hatchback.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
Nissan’s Versa subcompact is a perfect choice for those who don’t want to suffer with a micro-subcompact. It might not be the most eye-catching car around, but it certainly is affordable with a starting MSRP of $11,990 and can be leased for $129 a month with under $2,000 due at the time of signing.

Making just 109 hp, the 1.6L four-cylinder engine isn’t a highlight of the Nissan Versa, but the fuel economy might be. Earning 30 mpg combined, the Versa is a no-frills fuel sipper. Other standard features include a CD player and air conditioning. Read our Nissan Versa Review, and check out the full specs here.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
The Scion iQ is a micro subcompact car with four seats. That means you and your crew can scoot in and out of traffic and park practically anywhere with no worries. With a starting pricetag of $16,250 after destination and handling, the iQ is a decent value.

Even better is the national leasing deal that’s currently going on which helps make the IQ stand out to buyers. That $99/month deal comes with a $1,919 payment due at the time of signing, which might be a bit steep for a car of this price tag. Still, you get 11 standard airbags in the iQ, and the six-speaker sound system is sure to be a hit in such a small vehicle. Read our Scion iQ review and see the specs for yourself.

top 10 cheapest cars to lease
The Smart fortwo, in the pure trim is one of the most affordable vehicles on the market. It starts at $12,490, and continues to save money at the pump with EPA estimated mileage of 36 mpg combined; the car is an easy buy for those who want a new, efficient car without spending a lot of cash.

The Pure coupe is pretty barebones, with 15-inch wheels and manual windows. A radio and AC are optional extras. Those are just a few of the sacrifices one will have to make when getting a car for $99 a month. See the full specs of the smart fortwo and read the latest Smart fortwo review.

Sami Haj-Assaad
Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.

More by Sami Haj-Assaad

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  • Bill Bill on Mar 26, 2014

    This site claims it 2000 grand down. It's actually 3000. Just thought I'd point that out.

  • Leasify Leasify on Sep 27, 2014

    There is a new iPhone app called Leasify that helps you determine if you are getting a good leasing deal and educates you about the process. The app also scores your deal using a proprietary algorithm and provides negotiation advice too. Check out Leasify in the Apple App Store - it's free!

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