What Are the 5 Best SUV Lease Deals of 2018?
As 2018 draws to a close and summertime fades away, many Americans are realizing that they didn’t take the time to enjoy the season. So, they are turning to SUVs, with their extra space and maneuverability, for those last-minute vacations that are fun for the whole family.
Of course, there’s no reason to buy a new SUV if you won’t be driving it much — it’s a much better call to just lease one of these hardy vehicles. Leasing is when you place a small down payment on a vehicle and then drive that vehicle, paying monthly payments until the car needs to be returned. Common reasons to lease a vehicle include vacations, road trips, and business expenses.
Of course, it bears noting that some of these deals will vary slightly based on region and accessibility of dealerships. Plus, they’ll require a decent credit score.
1. 2018 Honda HR-V
This excellent leasing deal comes directly from Honda itself as they offer their 2018 Honda HR-V for an almost negligible $189 a month. You can be behind the wheel after one initial down payment of $2,999 and the lease lasts three years, giving you plenty of time and 12,000 miles a year to enjoy this pristine SUV.
The base Honda HR-V sells for $19,670, meaning that you get nearly $10,000 dollars in savings with the total leasing price of $9,803.
The HR-V has been called one of the best SUVs for its price, even winning the 2018 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money category from U.S. News and World Report. Honda has a history of offering excellent vehicles at competitive prices, but the HR-V is a step beyond.
There are no major changes to the HR-V’s features in 2018 — that said, it didn’t really need them. The largest advantage the HR-V carries comes from its backseat, which is both roomy enough to seat a car full of adults and rearrangeable enough to store even large luggage you might have.
This deal expires on September 4, so if a last-minute summer vacation is in the cards, you’ll want to act fast to lock this SUV down.
2. 2019 Kia Sorento
The next great deal comes from Kia, whose 2019 Sorento boasts a wide range of adjustments and improvements like a newly stylized exterior and upgrades in driver assistance. The Sorento is slightly pricier in the end for $179 a month with a down payment of $3,466 due when you sign — leaving the total price at $9,910 compared to a purchase price of $26,000.
The major advantage of the Sorento this year comes from its driver assistance features, boasting front parking alarms and sensors that monitor the driver’s level of fatigue to alert you if you’re falling asleep. Seating seven, these features make the Sorento a great choice for families who don’t need to drive incredibly often but want to be secure when they do.
This leasing deal lasts for three years and gives you 12,000 miles a year with which to enjoy this midsize SUV, but it also expires on September 4.
3. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Unlike the other vehicles included on this list, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a true off-roading vehicle. It has four-wheel drive and more than enough power under the hood to take you where you need to go. Unlike the Sorento and HR-V, the Cherokee’s leasing deal only lasts 24 months — you pay $199 for each of these months as well as $3,579 on signing. The Grand Cherokee’s base trim sells for $30,695, whereas this two-year lease costs around $8,355 in total.
Despite that more limited leasing period, the Cherokee is also one of the best SUVs on the road. The excellent off-road capabilities are paired with smooth handling that makes it a dream in the city or on the highway. It also comes with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system that provides support and entertainment while you’re on the road. The only true drawback to this 2018 offering from Jeep comes from the Grand Cherokee’s crash test ratings, which were inferior to much of the competition.
Like the other deals preceding it, this offer from Jeep expires on September 4. Unlike the other deals preceding it, the Cherokee is capped at 10,000 miles per year.
4. 2018 Mazda CX-5
Admittedly, the Mazda CX-5 isn’t the beefiest or most supercharged SUV on this list — but you won’t find much better from the compact SUV category. Mazda is offering a 36-month lease with $2,799 as a down payment and $179 dollars a month. This ends up totaling around $9,243 over the course of the lease, substantial savings for an SUV retailing at $24,000.
Fuel economy has been improved a little for the 2018 season, bringing the CX-5 to a combined rating of 27 miles per gallon. Mazda has also added blind spot monitoring as a driver assistance feature, combining with this vehicle’s pristine handling to make it a safe and viable SUV for the whole family. Really, the main drawback of the CX-5 comes from the limited cargo space. If you’re planning on using this SUV to move, it might not be the right choice.
The Mazda CX-5 is available under these terms until September 4 and allows for 36,000 miles over the contract period as a whole.
5. 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen’s largest vehicle is the most expensive on this list. VW’s deal on the 2018 Atlas boasts a signing payment of $3,499 with subsequent monthly payments of $239 for three years. The Atlas retails for $30,750, meaning you save roughly $18,000 over the course of this $12,103 deal.
The major advantage of the Atlas is its size, which gives it sufficient seating room for seven and a substantial amount of cargo space. It also handles impressively for a larger SUV. That said, the engine sometimes lacks the power to get up to speed as fast as some drivers might desire. On the highway, it underperforms. Despite this limitation, the Atlas is a great choice for families or those who mostly drive in the city.
This deal expires on September 4 and allows 30,000 miles of driving over the course of the three-year contract.
If September 4 has already passed and you’ve missed out on these great deals, have no fear. Automotive companies release new offers every month, so you still have a chance to lease the SUV that’s right for you.