Every month, manufacturers roll out new lease programs. Some are genuinely aggressive—strong residuals, low money factors, real savings. Others look good on paper but hide poor equity outcomes. The difference matters.

Here's what's happening this month and how to separate the real deals from the marketing.

What Makes a Lease Program Strong

A strong lease program has three components: high residual value, low money factor, and honest structure. When all three align, you get lower payments and better equity position at lease end.

The problem: most people only look at the monthly payment. That's how manufacturers hide weak programs.

Programs Worth Your Attention

Right now, a few brands are offering genuinely strong residuals on specific models. These aren't across-the-board—they're targeted at moving inventory on specific trims or configurations.

What makes them strong:

  • Residuals set at 65%+ for 36-month terms
  • Money factors below 0.00150 (that's 3.6% APR equivalent)
  • No hidden acquisition fees or inflated documentation costs

The Programs to Avoid

Some manufacturers are offering "low payments" through tactics that hurt your equity:

Inflated residuals: Setting the residual artificially high makes the payment look low, but you'll be underwater at lease end. The car won't be worth what they claim it will be.

Long terms: 48- or 60-month leases with low payments sound attractive, but you're paying depreciation longer without building equity faster.

Front-loaded rebates: Manufacturers advertise big rebates, but those are often built into the residual calculation. You're not actually getting ahead—you're just seeing the math done differently.

What This Means for You

A lease that looks "too good to be true" usually is. I evaluate programs by looking at the residual, money factor, and actual equity position at lease end—not just the monthly payment. That's how you avoid fake deals and protect your equity.

How to Evaluate a Program

Don't just compare monthly payments. Compare:

  • The residual percentage (higher is better, but only if it's realistic)
  • The money factor (multiply by 2400 to get the APR equivalent)
  • The total cost of ownership over the lease term
  • Your equity position at lease end (will the car be worth more or less than the residual?)

The reality: A $350/month lease on a car with a 55% residual might actually cost you more than a $380/month lease on a car with a 68% residual. The numbers don't lie—but you have to look at the right numbers.

Bottom Line

Strong lease programs exist, but they're not always the ones with the lowest advertised payments. The difference is structure. I evaluate every program by looking at residual, money factor, and real equity outcomes—not just the monthly number. That's how you get a deal that actually works long-term.