Best New Car Lease Deals for February 2024: Hybrids
If an automotive CEO can relearn the tangible benefits of hybrid technology, so can you. That was Mary Barra's recent wake-up call, as GM investors and dealerships begged her to bring back affordable gas-electric cars. GM is returning to hybrids—the plug-in variety, at least for now, according to Barra. Meanwhile, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota keep cranking them out.
Indeed, if you're looking for a regular hybrid, as opposed to a plug-in, only those four automakers consistently offer hybrid-specific lease deals. Ford doesn't break out deals for its hybrid versions of the Escape, Explorer, or Maverick, so they're not here. We've only included full hybrids—those with parallel gas-electric powertrains that can run entirely on electric power in stints, instead of so-called "mild" hybrids with 48-volt batteries, where the electric motor serves only to supplement the gas engine. With those filters applied, here's what we found.
Check Our Leasing Guide First
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.
2024 Toyota Prius
$309 per month/$3999 at signing
39 months/32,500 miles
The Prius can drive more than 600 miles nonstop on just 11 gallons of gas. At this price, and finally with dapper looks and decent power, who would resist a car that might only need refueling once a month? This lease in the Northeast is for the base front-wheel-drive LE, which posts the highest EPA ratings (57 mpg combined). In Florida and surrounding states, the signing payment is $3328 for a slightly higher $329 monthly cost.
$399 per month/$3999 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
The regular RAV4 has a thrashy four-cylinder engine that strains under acceleration. The hybrid RAV4 makes more power with less effort while returning up to 39 mpg combined. That's 30 percent greater efficiency for a 10-percent higher price. This Northeast lease is for the base LE, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, unlike the base gas-only LE. West Coast buyers will see a $2999 signing payment and higher $449 monthly payments. In the Southeast, the same RAV4 Hybrid goes for $349 per month with $3648 at signing.
$359 per month/$3699 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
Like Toyota, Honda's hybrid strategy is to maximize power, fuel economy, and driver enjoyment for a modest premium over the non-hybrid lower-trim models. This is the way we'd order a CR-V. The front-wheel-drive Sport in this lease deal bests the all-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid's city rating at 43 mpg. Going instead for the all-wheel-drive Sport still nets 40 mpg city (and 37 mpg combined) for the same monthly price and $600 more at signing. Currently, these deals are restricted to owners of 2014 and newer Hondas.
$369 per month/$3499 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
Four out of the six Accord trims are hybrids, and while we miss the turbo 2.0-liter of the previous generation, the latest Accord is still strong enough to win a 10Best award for the 38th time. The hybrid's 204 horsepower feel liberated in the Accord's sleek profile, and at the test track, it was nearly a second quicker to 60 mph than the base 1.5-liter turbo-four models. But you'll pay a lot more for that speed and a 51-mpg city rating. This offer is for the Sport trim. A base, non-hybrid LX is only $249 a month with the same $3499 at signing. If you do mostly highway driving, the base car is nearly as economical as the hybrid.
$400 per month/$2499 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
The curvaceous Sonata Hybrid has lighting that traces onto the hood and has the best fuel economy of any midsize sedan: an EPA combined 52 mpg on the Blue trim, which is the model an offer here. In our highway testing, a Sonata Hybrid equaled its 51-mpg highway rating. It's not as engaging to drive as the Accord Hybrid, nor will this base model with the small 16-inch wheels look as sharp. Upper trims get much pricier than the Accord (think $500 and up per month), so we'd avoid going that route. Note that the Sonata Hybrid is only $20 per month more than the compact Elantra Hybrid with the same signing payment, a difference that seems well worth it. That payment includes a $1000 rebate to move this model out the door before the refreshed 2024 modelcomes in.
$419 per month/$2999 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
If you like your compact SUVs to make a visual statement, go for the trendy Tucson Hybrid. The intersecting body creases in the doors either look like the car's been in an accident or left the stamping press too soon, though the lights in the grille are inarguably cool. Unlike Honda and Toyota, Hyundai pairs a turbocharger and a conventional six-speed automatic with its hybrids, at the expense of some smoothness when getting on and off the throttle. All-wheel drive is standard. This SEL Convenience trim gets a 37-mpg combined rating. It also features 19-inch wheels, a larger touchscreen, and a panoramic moonroof. A $1000 rebate is included in the signing payment.
$499 per month/$3999 at signing
36 months/30,000 miles
The littlest Lexus has the highest fuel economy in the lineup at 39 mpg combined. But despite its subcompact size, the UX250h doesn't get better gas mileage than the larger compact SUVs on this list (and only just beats the much larger RX350h). Still, it's priced competitively and is the only hybrid in the subcompact luxury SUV segment. The interior and the new infotainment system are particular strong points.
$349 per month/$3499 at signing
24 months/20,000 miles
Kia has the most flexible lease deals in the market with the option for 24- or 36-month terms. For either duration, Kia charges the same signing payment and monthly charge on a Sportage Hybrid LX or the Sorento Hybrid EX. In the right color, the alien attack face on the Sportage can be appealing, but the driving experience is still rather bland, and the all-wheel-drive version fell short of its 38-mpg EPA highway rating in our testing. Still, for a short-term lease on a brand-new SUV, this is a strong deal.
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