The Cheapest Cars To Lease In 2026 (So Far)

The option to lease a vehicle is attractive for many drivers. Given the ugly truth that new cars depreciate at a rapid pace, leasing provides an alternative pathway to sourcing personal transportation without having to worry about retaining resale value to support an eventual trade-in or sale. Leasing a car is essentially the automotive equivalent of renting your home. The contract requires an upfront payment — though you typically won't get this back as you would with a home's security deposit — followed by monthly rental payments spanning the duration of the lease term. The average car lease worked out to $659 per month in June 2025, according to Experian, which was considerably lower than the $765 monthly auto loan payment the outlet reported in mid-2026. This difference suggests average lease terms can slash your monthly transportation costs.

Leasing can also make driving a brand-new vehicle more financially viable, while allowing you to avoid the rapid depreciation-based value loss that starts essentially the second you buy a new car. Kelley Blue Book data indicates the average vehicle loses 39% of its value — or $17,550 for a $45,000 car — in the first three years after it's purchased. After consulting the general lease terms outlined in U.S. News and World Report's roundup of the most affordable new vehicles available for lease in 2026, we found drivers may spend considerably less than that on all but one of the models the outlet explored. In addition to ranking these cars from least to most affordable, we also looked into the projected amount drivers could spend on fuel, insurance, and maintenance on each of these models if they chose one as their daily driver.

The Ford F-150 is the brand's best-selling truck, and one of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. The 2026 F-150 upholds this tradition, and U.S. News and World Report notes that it also has the lowest cash amount due at signing among this group of frugal options, requiring an upfront payment of just $1,498 to lease. This is paired with a $499 monthly payment adding up to a total cost for 36 months of $18,963, assuming the typical practice of bundling the first month's payment into the figure due at signing.

There are some potential drawbacks to consider: Consumer Reports has previously listed versions of the F-150 as some of the most unreliable cars on the market, although the 2026 model did skirt this designation. However, trucks tend to be more costly to operate than others: The Environmental Protection Agency's FuelEconomy.gov estimates 2026 F-150s get a combined 20 miles per gallon with four-wheel drive and 21 with two-wheel drive. Even on the lower end, this mileage could result in an expected spend of at least $4,000 above the average 2026 vehicle's fuel costs over five years, assuming 15,000 annual miles and Fall 2026 gas prices. Similarly, CarEdge gives it a C- value rating, estimating $2,424 in average annual insurance costs and an estimated five-year maintenance expenses of $3,594. Maintenance schedules are sometimes included in lease contracts, but this isn't always the case, so understanding if you'll be on the hook for this upfront is crucial.

The Subaru Outback is among the best vehicles for retirees. These iconic SUVs offer drivers enough interior space to ensure a comfortable ride, and the 2026 Outback sports a 27-mile-per-gallon fuel efficiency figure. This performance is roughly in line with the 28 miles per gallon combined that 2026 models are reported to achieve on average, according to FuelEconomy.gov. The baseline lease terms for the 2026 Outback reported by U.S. News and World Report are for 36 months at $299 per month, with $4,298 due at signing. These figures would add up to $14,763 over a three-year period.

CarEdge gives the Outback a B- value rating, and notes an average annual insurance cost for the vehicle of $1,972. While auto insurance prices can vary immensely between states, this drop suggests Outback drivers could enjoy a nice discount on coverage compared to the national average of $2,254 that Experian reported drivers spend on car insurance per year in September 2026. CarEdge data also indicates that Subaru Outbacks beat the SUV average for maintenance costs by $1,100 over the first five years of ownership, racking up a bill of around $2,730 in that time. So, if you're on the hook for repairs, per the terms of your lease, the Outback could prove a good cost-mitigating option.

A classic sedan that easily scores points for those looking to drive a cost-effective ride, the 2026 Toyota Prius was named the car with the best gas mileage by U.S. News and World Report. According to comparisons by FuelEconomy.gov, the combined 57 miles per gallon it achieves towers over the 2026 model year average of 28. Assuming drivers travel 15,000 miles annually and pay late-2026 gas prices, they can expect the Prius to save them an estimated five-year total of $5,750 at the pump compared to the average new car. Though the Prius is a hybrid, you won't have to pay a premium to get behind the wheel of this gas sipper, even compared to models on this list powered by internal combustion engines. According to data compiled by U.S. News and World Report, the baseline lease pricing stands at $299 per month for 36 months and $3,999 down at signing, totaling $14,464 over a three-year term.

The 2026 Prius garners top marks from Car and Driver, with a perfect 10-out-of-10 rating and an Editors' Choice designation. Fuel efficiency is among the key talking points here, but the outlet does note that the hybrid features some stylish adornments that make it more than just a basic people mover. CarEdge gives it a value rating of A, estimating maintenance costs over the first five years of around $1,437. While that beats the average hatchback by $821, it is worth noting the Prius is a bit pricey to insure: CarEdge projects an annual premium of $2,466.

The sole brand-new 2027 model year example on this list, the 2027 Kia Seltos is a crossover SUV that offers plenty of interior room to stretch out without becoming a burden to maneuver on the roads during your daily commute. The front-wheel drive LX trim is available for a lease deal as low as $259 per month for 36 months and a $3,799 first payment, per U.S. News and World Report. That amounts to a three-year expense of $12,864.

The Seltos gets a combined 30 miles per gallon, per FuelEconomy.gov, giving it an edge over the average 2026 model year vehicle and providing drivers fuel cost savings estimated at $750 over five years — or $450 over three years — assuming Fall 2026 gas prices and 15,000 miles of driving per year. CarEdge's assessments are somewhat mixed for this vehicle: The outlet gives the Seltos a C+ value rating, but also notes that it comes in with a lower-than-average insurance estimate pegged at $2,001. Its projected short-term maintenance expenses are also less than stellar, with CarEdge estimating drivers will spend around $2,599 over five years.

The Hyundai Tucson was the brand's best-selling model in 2025, maintaining the No. 1 slot it held the year before (via Best-Selling Cars). The Tucson is a crossover SUV that offers an elevated ride height with good interior space. It also comes with favorable baseline lease offers. U.S. News and World Report data indicates that drivers can access it for as little as $249 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing. That equates to a total three-year cost of $12,714.

In addition to favorable pricing, the Tucson is among the market's best-selling cars that are also highly reliable. According to CarEdge's reporting, the Tucson offers a favorable insurance estimate of $1,984 per year, but features a projected five-year maintenance estimate of $2,694. That might be a bit pricey for some drivers, unless they can land a service plan in their lease agreement, but it still beats the SUV average by $1,136. All told, it earns a respectable B- value rating from CarEdge. In terms of efficiency, the 2026 Tucson gets 28 miles per gallon, according to FuelEconomy.gov data, placing it right in line with the 2026 model year average.

The Mazda 3 ranks among some of the most affordable cars for new drivers. The 2026 model year is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ in both the hatchback and sedan trims. The 2026 Mazda 3 is also a seriously affordable option for drivers looking to lease instead of buy: U.S. News and World Report identifies a deal price of $262 per month for 36 months, with $2,499 due at signing. This adds up to $11,669 in total costs across the lease term.

Even as a vehicle that looks and feels dynamic and powerful, the Mazda 3 gets surprisingly good gas mileage. FuelEconomy.gov reports the 2026 model gets a combined 30 miles per gallon rating, saving drivers an estimated $750 over the average 2026 vehicle across five years of driving. Car and Driver gives the 2026 Mazda 3 a 9 out of 10 rating and an Editors' Choice pick, praising its stylish layout and the wide selection of body types and transmissions Mazda makes available to drivers across this model year's trims. CarEdge awards the Mazda 3 an A- value rating, and projects an estimated five-year maintenance cost of $1,891 alongside below-average insurance pricing of around $2,038 per year.

The Honda Accord is one of the few models on this list to receive an A value rating from CarEdge, and both its leasing costs and driving expenses back that result up. It features a significantly under-average $1,874 five-year maintenance cost estimate, beating the typical sedan by $810. Additionally, it exhibits a fairly low 7.52% chance of needing a major repair during this time, which is also below average for its class. U.S. News and World Report pegs the 2026 Accord's lease deal at $229 per month for a 36-month term, with an additional $3,999 due upfront. These costs total $12,243 for the full lease duration.

CarEdge also reports a bang-average insurance cost estimate, at $2,255 annually, and the sedan also receives a 10 out of 10 rating from Car and Driver. Much of this reputation comes thanks to its surprisingly spacious interior and favorable fuel efficiency: FuelEconomy.gov reports the base 2026 Accord's base trim gets a combined 32 miles per gallon, effectively guaranteeing drivers considerable gas savings. The Accord Hybrid performs even better on this front, achieving 48 miles per gallon combined, for drivers considering swinging for more environmentally friendly transmission.

The CX-30 from Mazda is a crossover SUV with similar stylings to those of the Mazda 3. However, it is moderately taller and better tailored to drivers with greater gear-storage needs and accessibility requirements than a lower car may provide. The 2026 Mazda CX-30 is similarly favorable in its lease deal offers, though. U.S. News and World Report finds that the CX-30 delivers an even better overall cost than the Mazda 3, coming in at $241 per month for 36 months with $2,999 due at signing. That adds up to $11,434 in total.

The Mazda CX-30 also gets an A- value rating from CarEdge. It reports an estimated $1,988 in annual insurance costs to maintain the vehicle, which is a small but notable departure from average. It also comes with a five-year maintenance estimate of $2,468, beating the SUV average by $1,362 over this stretch, while exhibiting a notably lower likelihood that it will need a major repair in that time compared to the typical crossover. FuelEconomy.gov reports the CX-30 gets a combined 27 miles per gallon, placing it just a hair shy of average for the model year. Still, Car and Driver awards this versatile and high-value SUV an Editors' Choice designation and an overall 9.5 out of 10 rating, while praising its plush interior and agile performance.

Possibly the least expensive lease option you'll find on the market in late 2026 is for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra. U.S. News and World Report projects a 36-month term priced at $219 per month with $3,599 due at signing to get this compact sedan on the road. This adds up to $11,264 over a three-year lease, making it the most cost-effective choice on this list.

This is another vehicle that might be worth considering an upgrade to a hybrid model if your budget can swing it. The hybrid 2026 Hyundai Elantra gets a combined 50 miles to the gallon, per FuelEconomy.gov data, though the base trim still achieves an admirable 31. Over the course of five years, the hybrid would save a driver $5,000 over an average alternative model, assuming 15,000 miles of driving per year and Fall 2026 fuel prices. Meanwhile, the gasoline-powered build would still save drivers around $1,000 over the same time frame, or roughly $600 across the duration of a three-year lease. CarEdge gives the Elantra an A- value rating and estimates it racks up a $1,996 five-year maintenance bill. In addition to general upkeep coming out to around $688 below that of the average sedan, CarEdge also estimates drivers will pay around $2,477 per year to insure it.