Best Luxury Car Lease Deals for May 2026

Luxury lease programs are usually more stable month-to-month than mainstream deals, but May 2026 has a few standouts I'd flag — especially from BMW and Cadillac, which are running unusually aggressive money factors and residuals. All examples below are 36 months / 10,000 miles per year unless stated, and the MSRP and effective monthly are for the volume trim at each brand. Programs run through May 31, 2026.

German brands

BMW

BMW is running some of the most competitive luxury leases of the year in May, with money factors at or near buy-rate on several models.

The 3 Series at $549/mo is the headline — money factor at 0.00098 (~2.4% APR), among the lowest BMW has offered on the 330i in 18 months, with a healthy 57% residual at 36/10K. That's the one I'd be writing about to friends.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes is more conservative on lease support this month but has competitive numbers on the C-Class and GLC.

Mercedes EV residuals have softened, which is why the EQS leases at a premium to BMW's electric lineup. The GLC 300 is the volume seller, and $699/mo is fair current pricing.

Audi

Audi's May programs are middle-of-the-road — not as aggressive as BMW, stronger than Mercedes at upper trims.

The A4's money factor (0.00108) is slightly above the BMW 3's, but its lower MSRP makes the effective monthly comparable. The Q5 is the volume trim and $679/mo is in line with market.

Japanese luxury brands

Lexus

Lexus leans on strong residuals more than rate subsidies, and May is no exception.

The NX 250 at $599/mo is the standout — good residuals (52% at 36/10K) keep the payment reasonable despite Lexus's higher-than-market money factor (0.00135).

Acura

Acura is running one of the better Japanese luxury programs this month, especially on the MDX.

The TLX at $529/mo is the lowest effective monthly in the luxury sedan category this month — $20 under the BMW 330i. The MDX remains one of the best-valued three-row luxury leases out there.

Domestic luxury

Cadillac

Cadillac is running aggressive Memorial Day programs, especially on the Escalade and CT5.

The Cadillac LYRIQ at $599/mo with only $3,999 due is the best luxury EV lease value in May — money factor at 0.00082 (sub-2% APR equivalent) with a 54% residual. GM is clearly prioritizing LYRIQ lease volume, and I'd let them.

How to read these numbers at the dealer

Money factor markup: dealers can mark up the money factor above the buy-rate the captive lender sets. Ask for the "buy-rate money factor," and if the quote is more than 0.0003 above the published buy-rate (Edmunds forums post these monthly), you're being marked up. Push back.

Acquisition fee: luxury brands charge $895– class="relative z-10",095, typically non-negotiable but it should be disclosed up front, not buried in the cap cost.

Residual is not negotiable: unlike the selling price and money factor, the residual is set by the manufacturer. Put your energy into negotiating the cap cost (the effective vehicle price) down to or below invoice, then apply the lease program on top — that's where the real money is.

For mainstream segments, see my May 2026 best lease deals; for the German sedan head-to-head, BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes C-Class.