It has been a long, cold winter in many areas of the country. Some regions experienced record cold and snowfall, accompanied by crippling power outages. All of this served to limit car sales, and prompt carmakers to offer excellent lease deals. Now that the weather is warming if you are shopping for a great lease deal right now, your timing could be excellent. And since you’re reading this we bet you’d like to know what the best car lease deals of the month are. We at Driving Today believe it is both our duty and our privilege to have the answers for you.
Before we get to the list, though, let us take a moment to explain why we believe our list of the best car lease deals is superior to others floating around the Internet. Many websites that create lists of “the best lease deals of the month” simply don’t have the experience and expertise in evaluating cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs that we do. They see a low lease price and immediately label that a “good deal.” But a low monthly payment on a so-so vehicle isn’t a good deal, and it certainly isn’t the “best deal.”
A low monthly payment on a so-so vehicle isn’t a good deal
Our approach is different. Instead of identifying vehicles with the lowest monthly payments, we identify the models our extensive research tells us are among the best overall values, and then we look at the lease deals. It’s not wise to give up quality, safety, and convenience just to save a few bucks a month. Our experience has proven this approach will give you a much better result over the course of your lease. Our expert DT panel of car testers and evaluators has helped us construct the following roundup of the lease deals that are the very best values this month.
2021 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla sedan is one of the most popular small cars of all time, and the current version is the best of the bunch. Its 106.3-inch wheelbase helps the car handle like a larger vehicle, and the power from the car’s two engine options are for more than just getting groceries. The Corolla sedan L, LE, and XLE grades use a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the SE and XSE trims are powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injection inline 4-cylinder engine with 169 peak horsepower. Toyota Safety Sense delivers a wealth of standard driver-assists. And the standard multimedia system includes Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Scout GPS Link compatibility. Right now in many areas of the country Corollas are being offered for $189 per month for 36 months with $1,999 due at signing.
2021 Mazda Mazda3
If you enjoy driving for its own sake, you should take a long look at the 2021 Mazda3. More enjoyable to drive than its competitors, the Mazda3 has been a perennial favorite of car enthusiast testers since it first hit the road. For 2021 the Mazda3 offers three engine choices: a 155-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, a 186-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and a 250-horsepower intercooled turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Both front-drive and all-wheel-drive versions are available. You can lease a 2.0-liter version of the 2021 Mazda3 sedan for as little as $179 a month for 36 months with $2,499 due at lease signing.
2021 Nissan LEAF
One of the oldest battery-electric vehicles in the U.S. market, the Nissan LEAF can deliver great service as a commuter car. It is low-priced when compared to the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Kia Niro EV and its limited range shouldn’t be held against it. Yes, its standard 40.0-kWh battery pack delivers less than 150 miles of range on a charge, but for a commuter car that should be more range than you’ll ever need. The base LEAF comes with a 147-horsepower electric motor. LEAF Plus models have a 214-horsepower motor and fancier interiors. But the lower trim levels are cheaper to lease and will do all you need them to do. You can lease a LEAF for $199 per month for 36 months with an incredibly low $600 due at lease signing.
2021 Hyundai Sonata
A great-looking sedan filled with comfort and convenience features, the Hyundai Sonata is one heck of a great lease deal. that might surprise you. Upper-level versions have a panoramic sunroof, electric parking brake, hands-free “smart” trunk, and high-speed wireless smartphone charging pad with a cooling fan. The top-level infotainment display is a customizable 10.25-inch touchscreen that features cloud-based speech recognition. But even on the lower end of the spectrum, the Sonata is well-equipped and pleasant to drive. Two drivetrains are available: a 180-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Customers can lease a ’21 Sonata for $229 per month for 36 months with $0 due at lease signing.
2021 Volkswagen Arteon
A particularly handsome 4-door, the Volkswagen Arteon has been updated for the 2021 model year with a new front end, more interior refinement, better connectivity, and new driver assistance options. Up to five adults plus an amazing amount of luggage will find a comfortable place inside the Arteon. If you seek full-on luxury, massaging driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, leather seating surfaces, and harman/kardon premium audio fill the bill. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offers 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of peak torque. For bad-weather traction, the VW 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system is available, while in base trim the Arteon is front-driver The updated 2021 Arteon can be leased with $0 down, $0 security deposit, $0 first month’s lease payment with $0 due at signing for $409 per month for 39 months.
2021 Hyundai Elantra
Getting a great lease deal on the 2021 North American Car of the Year makes the all-new 2021 Hyundai Elantra compact sedan an irresistible deal. With a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, the new Elantra looks, rides, and handles like a midsize car. Its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine uses Atkinson cycle technology for better efficiency, and it is paired with a standard 6-speed manual or optional Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, enough to offer plenty of driving fun. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are among the leading-edge tech features. You can lease a 2021 Elantra for $159 per month for 36 months with $2,899 due at delivery.
