Best New Car Lease Deals on the Lowest-Priced Cars
There's no shame in driving an entry-level car in its most base trim. While there will be people who swear that anything below a certain price point is horrid and unworthy of consideration, that attitude ignores this truth: Today's bargain-level small cars and crossovers are higher in quality and better equipped than ever before. To that end, we've picked lease specials for 12 vehicles with starting prices of $25,000 or less, including destination fees. We've tested all of them, and while we won't pretend they're all deserving of our highest honor and recommendations, they nail the basics and go easy on your budget.
Check Our Leasing Guide
Make sure you first read our leasing guide. We've covered everything that may get glossed over in the showroom: advertising fees, money factors, residuals, legal implications, and all the other fine print that could cost you thousands more than you'd expect. When comparing similar cars, be aware that a lower monthly price often demands more money up front. As with any national lease special, enter your ZIP code on an automaker's website to check 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.
2025 Nissan Kicks
$249 per month/$3519 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
The Kicks is brand-new for 2025 after launching as the Juke's replacement in 2018. We've just driven it, and it's much improved. Nissan sprinkled some funky style, added all-wheel drive, upgraded the sore-spot interior, and added (a bit) more gusto to the engine. This lease in the New York metro area for the S AWD trim looks to be the most affordable in the nation, though the plastic wheel covers kill the style.
2024 Chevrolet Trax
$249 per month/$3269 at signing
24 months/20,000 miles
American automakers have a horrible track record in this segment, so we understand if you have a hard time accepting our commendation of the Chevy Trax. Nonetheless, the Trax landed on our list of 10Best Trucks and SUVs (technically, it's a crossover) and why we're putting 40,000 miles on a 2024 Trax—although that one is the midlevel Activ trim. Our outlook is hopeful, and even the base LT offers a lot for just over $20,000. It makes the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul feel a little overpriced.
2024 Buick Envista
$199 per month/$4356 at signing
24 months/20,000 miles
Buick puts all the goodness of the Trax in a sportier and slightly more upscale package. The Envista is essentially a budget BMW X2—it's a crossover coupe, yet it's $60 less than the Trax over the same lease term. The lack of all-wheel drive and slow acceleration are major downers, though at this price for the base Preferred trim, they needn't dissuade you from considering this Buick.
2024 Nissan Sentra
$279 per month/$2549 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
Nissan prices its cars aggressively, and it helps that the latest models are sharp-looking and well-made. The Sentra receives new grille and bumper designs, updated wheels, and an upgraded CVT for 2024. The snazzy SR with the contrasting black roof and 18-inch wheels is $329 per month, if the base S in this lease is not stylish enough for you.
2024 Volkswagen Jetta
$189 per month/$3499 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
The Jetta stands for solid, economical transport but with a dash of spice. Volkswagen has always made the effort to deliver steering feel and handling poise across all of its cars, and that's true even on the base Jetta S. For 2024, the Jetta adds standard driver assists, a faux-leather wrap for the steering wheel, a real leather gearshift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and rain-sensing wipers. There's also a six-speed manual as standard. That's something you won't find on any other car on this list—and it goes away with the 2025 model.
2024 Hyundai Elantra
$159 per month/$3999 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
It took the Elantra six generations to impress us, but here we are. While the meager acceleration on this SEL trim won't excite anyone, the build quality and standard features are quite substantial. The available powertrains—a four, hybrid, plus two turbo-fours—offer a lot of flexibility for your budget. This lease brings the larger 10.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument panel, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a hands-free trunk release. Despite a $500 higher signing payment than the other nonhybrid trims, it's cheaper over three years than the base SE ($179 per month). The Limited ($249) and N Line ($279) are available with the same lease terms as the SE.
2024 Hyundai Venue
$229 per month/$3499 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
Hyundai's smallest of its five gas-powered crossovers is also its most affordable vehicle, at just over $20,000 for the SE in this lease. You'll have to deal with a keyed 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 thoughtful of Hyundai to offer bright, vibrant colors (like Green Apple and Intense Blue) at no extra charge.
2024 Subaru Impreza
$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 for 2024, although what Subaru’s defines as “new” is really more “evolutionary.” As such, the Impreza offers few frills and an interior that could be from a much older car. And the engine is noisy and underpowered. But you could easily become part of the Subaru faithful with these low signing charges and monthly payments.
2024 Toyota Corolla
$229 per month/$3999 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
There is a Corolla of our dreams, but this base LE is not it. Instead of the GR's raucous and wild rally-car experience, the LE is a predictable and pacified commuter, just as the Corolla has been for six decades. More cash buys the all-wheel-drive hybrid, which approaches the efficiency of the Prius for less money and with more back-seat headroom. The front-wheel drive LE Hybrid is $289 per month, while a 2025 Corolla hatchback is $249.
2025 Kia Soul
$249 per month/$3499 at signing
24 months/20,000 miles
The Soul took the Scion xB's cool and after 15 years is still going strong. Although the 2023 update dropped the 201-hp turbocharged engine and the rugged-look X-Line trim, the subcompact Soul retains just enough pep in its step to feel lively. As always, standard equipment is generous even on this base LX, and the cube-shaped cabin is plenty roomy—there’s 62 cubic feet of cargo space, as much or more than many compact luxury SUVs. Kia is also the most flexible automaker with lease terms. We appreciate the choice of a two- or three-year lease at the exact same price. A 2024 model keeps these terms and charges $20 less per month.
2024 Kia Forte
$189 per month/$3499 at signing
24 months/20,000 miles
The first Forte sedan and coupe wasn’t a smash hit like the Soul. We’re also nonplussed by the latest Forte, hence its last-place ranking among compact sedans. But we’re demanding. What the Forte lacks in driver involvement it makes up for in value. The LXS in this lease offer comes with lane-keep assist and alloy wheels, and it gets an estimated 41 mpg on the highway.
2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer
$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 options for all-wheel drive and a more powerful turbo-three with a nine-speed transmission, even if that extra power doesn’t equate to any noticeable performance increase. The base 137-hp engine is what you get on this LT AWD. If you’re currently leasing a 2019 or newer vehicle, GM lowers the signing payment to $1799.