Best Lease Deals, May 2026
The sharpest new-car lease offers across sedans, SUVs, trucks, and EVs in May 2026, with money factors and Memorial Day weekend programs.
May's lease market is strong, and I'd take advantage of it. Between Memorial Day programs, tariff-driven inventory pressure on domestic builds, and automakers burning through leftover 2025 stock, there are legitimate deals across segments. Here's what's actually worth leasing right now. All payments are 36 months / 10,000 miles per year unless noted, with standard market down payments (first month plus tax/fees), for well-qualified lessees.
Best SUV leases
| Vehicle | Payment | Due at signing | Money factor | Residual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevy Equinox AWD | ~$289/mo | ~$3,100 | .00125 (3.0% APR equiv.) | 52% |
| Kia Sportage Hybrid | ~$299/mo | ~$2,900 | .00140 | 56% |
| Hyundai Tucson AWD | ~$309/mo | ~$3,200 | .00135 | 54% |
| Honda CR-V AWD | ~$349/mo | ~$3,400 | .00155 | 53% |
| Mazda CX-5 AWD | ~$329/mo | ~$3,000 | .00145 | 55% |
Best EV leases
EVs are where manufacturers are competing hardest right now — residuals are propped up and money factors are subsidized, so this is the cheapest time to drive an EV without buying one.
| Vehicle | Payment | Due at signing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevy Equinox EV | ~$279/mo | ~$2,800 | Best EV value by far |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 | ~$311/mo | ~$3,100 | 800V charging; solid program |
| Hyundai IONIQ 6 | ~$299/mo | ~$3,000 | Sedan form factor; excellent range |
| Kia EV6 | ~$319/mo | ~$3,200 | GT-Line trim; sharp equipment list |
| VW ID.4 | ~$289/mo | ~$2,900 | Available May only at this rate |
| Nissan Ariya | ~$269/mo | ~$2,700 | Softest deal in the segment; impressive |
Full breakdown at EV lease deals, May 2026 — and note these are driven by manufacturer cash now that the federal credit is gone, not a tax break.
Best sedan leases
| Vehicle | Payment | Due at signing |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | ~$229/mo | ~$2,500 |
| Toyota Camry | ~$259/mo | ~$2,800 |
| Hyundai Elantra | ~$219/mo | ~$2,400 |
| VW Jetta | ~$239/mo | ~$2,600 |
| Mazda 3 | ~$249/mo | ~$2,500 |
Best truck lease
Full-size truck leases are elevated this year because transaction prices haven't fallen as fast as incentives have risen.
| Vehicle | Payment | Due at signing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger (crew) | ~$389/mo | ~$3,500 | Employee Pricing + $3k bonus cash |
| Chevy Colorado | ~$369/mo | ~$3,200 | Z71 trim; strong value |
| Toyota Tacoma | ~$419/mo | ~$3,800 | High residual helps; tight money factor |
Memorial Day window
Programs change June 1. If you're close to a decision, running the numbers over the May 23–26 weekend gives you maximum leverage — manufacturer programs, dealer volume targets, and end-of-month motivation all stack at once. For more on timing, see my best time to buy a car guide.
One habit I'll nag you about: all money factors shown are base MFs before markup. Dealers are entitled to mark up the money factor (the lease equivalent of raising the interest rate), so always ask for the base MF in writing.
Deal details change frequently. Always confirm terms with the dealer before purchase.
From the Buying Guide
Negotiating with dealers
OTD pricing, the email-only playbook, and the four dealer-side tricks to expect.
Read more →OTD price calculator
Verify the real total on any quoted deal before you sign.
Read more →Leasing primer
Money factor, residual, MSDs — the math that decides whether the headline number is real.
Read more →Related articles
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Memorial Day Weekend Car Deals 2026: What's Worth Chasing
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