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. 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 shown are for 36 months / 10,000 miles per year unless noted, with standard market down payments (first month plus tax/fees). Well-qualified lessees only.
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
EV lease deals are the segment where manufacturers are competing hardest right now. Residuals are artificially elevated and money factors are subsidized. 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 EV breakdown at EV lease deals, May 2026.
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 come down as fast as incentives have risen.
| Vehicle | Payment | Due at signing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger (crew) | ~$389/mo | ~$3,500 | Employee Pricing program + $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 on 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 simultaneously. For more on timing strategy, see best time to buy a car.
All money factors shown are current base MFs before markup. Dealers are entitled to mark up the money factor (equivalent to raising the interest rate). 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
Best APR Deals on New Cars, May 2026
0% and low-APR financing from every major brand this month, ranked by value. Includes Memorial Day weekend programs valid through May 31.
Best EV Lease Deals, May 2026: Equinox EV, IONIQ 5, Model 3
The May 2026 EV lease offers worth chasing. Monthly payment, cash due, residual, and the cars actually worth signing for this month.
Memorial Day Weekend Car Deals 2026: What's Worth Chasing
May 24-26 is the spring's biggest sales event. The Memorial Day weekend offers stacking with end-of-month bonuses, by category.