Entering into a long and expensive car loan isn’t the only way to get behind the wheel of a new car. Leasing is a good option for drivers who want the perks of driving a new car without the hassle of buying one. Plus, leasing tends to be cheaper than financing.

It’s not all fun and games, though—leasing typically comes with more regulations and fees. While you often pay comparable prices to auto loans, you don’t get the equity that comes with owning the car.

It can be confusing to navigate the leasing process, but

car insurance

comparison and broker app

Jerry

is here to break it down. Whether you’re looking to lease an Acura or just curious about your options, we’ll cover associated costs and services, what to expect from the process, and what you can do when your lease agreement ends. We’ll also help you answer the main question: Is leasing an Acura worth it?

MORE: How to calculate a car lease payment

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How to lease an Acura

The leasing process for an Acura should be pretty simple if you know what to expect. It’s crucial to take your time and find the best deal though—don’t rush into the first lease agreement you’re offered!

To make sure you get the best deal on an Acura lease, here’s a general checklist to start with:

First, you’ll need to check your credit score to know what lease terms you’ll qualify for. Leasing requires a higher credit score than financing, so you’ll need a credit score of at least 650 to lease an Acura.

Figure out your leasing budget. In most cases, your monthly payment should be no more than 15% of your monthly income. So if you make $5,000 per month, you can afford a monthly lease payment of about $750 including taxes and fees.

Decide how much you can spend up front. Acura leases can come with hefty upfront costs, including a large down payment. Just like financing, this down payment is usually a few thousand dollars.

Figure out your annual mileage. The majority of leases come with a limit of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. If you’re on the road more than that, look into getting a high-mileage lease, which allows you to drive up to 20,000 miles per year.

When you’ve got your finances in order, the next step is to

compare lease offers

at your nearest Acura dealership. If you’re hoping to stick to the cheapest Acura lease options, your best bet will be models like the

ILX

RDX

. If you have a bit more wiggle room in the budget, though, you may be able to spring for an NSX!

Before you go in, you can expect that the dealer will likely try to convince you to commit to expensive add-ons, like cosmetic upgrades or accessories. When you have a budget before going to the dealership, you can better avoid these traps and keep your leasing costs as low as possible.

The final step: shop for insurance

Leasing agreements don’t include car insurance. So when you’ve decided on the best Acura lease for your budget, you’ll have to find insurance coverage—and

Jerry

can help make it easy.

Jerry will scan quotes from over 50 top providers and deliver the best deals straight to you. Not only is it simple, but you could also save major dough—the average Jerry user saves $887 a year!

MORE:

Is it better to lease or buy a car?

How much does an Acura lease cost?

Leasing an Acura tends to be more affordable than purchasing one… but how much will it be? The exact price to lease an Acura depends on several different factors, including:

The model you lease

Your negotiated selling price

Your lease term

Money factor (i.e., the interest rate you pay to lease the vehicle)

Additional accessories or other options you choose to include in your lease agreement

Sales tax in your state

Offers for leases fluctuate, but you can typically expect your monthly payment for a 36-month lease to land somewhere between $289 for an ILX and $2,102 for an NSX. You’ll also need to consider the additional costs that will factor into the amount due at signing: your down payment, acquisition fee, and additional fees and taxes.

To put it into context, let’s say you’re going to lease an

MDX

and you have an excellent credit score. Your monthly payment will be about $610 in a 36-month lease, but your upfront cost will likely include:

First month’s payment: $1,197

Down payment: $1,000

Security deposit: $0

Acquisition fee: $595

That puts you at a total of $2,197 due at signing for your new MDX. That doesn’t include sales tax, add-ons, or other factors that may increase that cost.

On the other hand, the amount due up front for an RDX is only $1,899, even though the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $12,600 more than the MDX. That’s why it’s critical to look at the entire picture when it comes to leasing options—not just the monthly payment amount.

Services included in an Acura lease

One perk to leasing an Acura is their Momentum Miles program, which rolls over any of your lease’s unused miles to use for your next Acura lease.

Loyal customers may also be eligible for an excessive wear and use or damage waiver of up to $1,500 depending on the situation. This waiver will cost $750, but it can provide you extra peace of mind if driving a leased car makes you nervous.

Key Takeaway Acura monthly lease payments can range from $289 to over $2,000, but it’s also important to consider your upfront costs as well.

What to do when your Acura lease is up

When your Acura lease ends, you’ll have to decide whether you want to return the car or purchase the vehicle if you’ve decided you can’t live without it.

How to return a leased Acura

When returning your leased Acura, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Schedule an inspection at your local Acura dealership within two months of your lease ending

Make any necessary repairs found in your inspection

Pay for any additional miles you’ve acquired over your mileage limit

Regardless of the condition of your car when you return it, you’re required to pay a $350 disposition fee when your lease is up. However, this doesn’t apply if you lease or purchase another Acura within 30 months.

How to purchase a leased Acura

If you’ve become attached to your Acura, you don’t necessarily have to say goodbye. Acura allows you to buy the car you’ve leased through

Acura Financial Services

. You can also buy the car with an auto loan from your bank or a credit union.

Acura also locks in the end-of-lease purchase price at signing, so if you want to buy the vehicle when your lease ends, you’re protected from market fluctuations.

MORE: How to prepare a car for inspection when returning a lease

How to find affordable car insurance for an Acura

Whether you lease an MDX or an ILX, you’ll need to purchase insurance coverage that can keep up. The best insurance doesn’t always mean the most expensive policy—not with

Jerry

anyways. As the No. 1-rated insurance app, Jerry handles everything from beginning to end.

Using Jerry to get insurance for your leased Acura is easy: just download the app, fill in your information, and instantly get customized quotes from over 50 top insurance companies in less than 60 seconds.

Jerry’s team of insurance experts is there for you every step of the way. And average Jerry users save $887 per year on their premiums!

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Is Acura leasing worth it?

Whether Acura leasing is worth it will depend on your personal finances and priorities. If you’d prefer to avoid big commitments and just want affordable access to your favorite cars, leasing may be a good choice. But if you prefer to have a car that’s all yours, you may want to avoid leasing.

What’s the cheapest Acura you can lease?

The exact cost of leasing an Acura is determined by many factors, like sales tax and your credit score. Typically, though, the lowest monthly payment you can find comes with an MDX and the RDX comes with the lowest upfront costs

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