See it in action
"Should I buy or lease my next car?"
Lease if you drive under ~12,000 miles/year and want a new car every 3 years with lower monthly payments. Buy if you drive more, want to keep it long-term, and prefer building equity.
It comes down to total cost of ownership. Leasing avoids repair risk but you never own an asset. Buying costs more upfront but a well-kept car holds residual value and is cheaper over 6+ years.
Run the numbers: compare the lease's money factor, mileage fees, and disposition fee against depreciation, financing, and maintenance. For most drivers keeping a car 7+ years, buying wins.
Leasing is effectively renting — you pay for the depreciation plus fees. It suits people who value predictable costs and new tech. Buying suits those who want flexibility and no mileage caps.
Buy, unless you're allergic to owning things. Leasing is a monthly tax on people who can't commit. The math almost always favours buying and driving it into the ground.
Consensus: Buy if you drive more than ~12,000 miles/year, plan to keep the car 6+ years, or want to build equity. Lease if you prefer lower monthly payments, a new car every 3 years, and predictable maintenance costs. Across all five models, the deciding factors are the same — mileage, ownership horizon, and total cost of ownership — so run those three numbers for your situation and the right answer follows.