If you’re looking for an affordable way to drive a Subaru, leasing is your best bet. With lower monthly payments than car loans, lease agreements are generally easier to manage. But you’ll also have additional restrictions and costs to contend with, including mileage caps and a disposition fee.
For new car enthusiasts, leasing is the perfect set-up. You won’t have to break the bank to get that shiny new Subaru Ascent, and when the next one comes out, you can sign a new lease to experience the best that Subaru has to offer.
However, there are drawbacks to leasing. Your monthly payments only cover the depreciation of the car—they don’t help you move towards owning a car. And with extra restrictions and fees, you could end up paying way more for your leased vehicle.
To help you avoid the pitfalls of leasing a Subaru, car insurance
super app Jerry
is here with a helpful guide. We’ll start with how to plan for your lease, what kind of expenses to expect, how to return your Subaru when the lease term is up, and the fastest way to save on your Subaru insurance cost
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How to lease a Subaru
To get the best deal on your Subaru lease, plan ahead! By taking a bit of time to follow the steps below, you can go into your lease agreement with confidence and save on your lease agreement.
Check your credit score. Leasing a vehicle usually requires a higher credit score than taking out a car loan. To lease a Subaru, you’ll need a credit rating of at least 700.
Map out your leasing budget. Consider how much you can afford to pay per month—this amount should not be more than 15% of your monthly income.
Decide how much you can pay upfront. Your finances will have to handle a down payment and additional fees at the time of signing your lease—usually a few thousand dollars.
Consider your annual mileage. A mileage limit or cap will be a part of your lease agreement. You can generally expect a cap of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year, but a high-mileage lease may allow for up to 20,000 miles per year.
The next step is to compare your leasing options. A cheaper Subaru to lease is the Outback Premium
. More expensive options include the Forester
Wilderness and the Ascent Touring
models. The perfect Subaru to lease, however, will depend on your driving needs and what the dealership has available. A dealer may try to get you to add features and expensive options that you don’t need. These accessories often won’t add much to your vehicle and will only increase your monthly payments. Since you’ve decided beforehand how much you can afford, you’ll be able to avoid unnecessary additions with ease.
The final step: Shop for insurance
In addition to finding the best lease conditions for your Subaru, you’ll also have to find the best insurance to cover your vehicle. Jerry
can help! You won’t have to fill out any forms or make any calls—Jerry will do all the work of finding you the best insurance premiums. Just fill out a quick questionnaire on the app. In less than a minute, Jerry will have a list of personalized quotes for you to peruse. The average Jerry user saves $887 per year on car insurance!
How much does a Subaru lease cost?
Is leasing really the most affordable way to drive a brand-new Subaru off the lot? There are a few factors that will impact the exact cost of your lease:
Which vehicle trim level, options, and packages you select
The selling price of the vehicle
The interest rate or “money factor”
If you have added features or accessories
The sales tax in your state
The time of year and the special deals available may also impact your lease costs. Generally, monthly payments on a 36-month lease will be somewhere between $416 for an Outback Premium and $635 for an Ascent Touring model. And don’t forget to factor in the fees, taxes, and the total down payment you’ll have to fork out when you sign your lease.
As an example, consider the Forester Wilderness. Your monthly payments will fall around the mid-range mark for Subarus at $464. Up-front costs you can expect are:
First month’s payment: $434
In total, you’ll have to pay $2,029 of upfront costs for your Forester Wilderness lease. With add-ons, taxes, and other fees, you could be looking at an even higher amount due when you sign your lease.
MORE: Here’s how to save money on car expenses
Services included in a Subaru lease
When you lease a Subaru vehicle, most of your repairs will be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. If you decide that you want to buy your vehicle at the end of your lease term, you’ll be able to pay the preset purchase price without a problem. You can find more special offers and lease options on Subaru’s website
. Key Takeaway Leasing a Subaru is generally more affordable than buying a car outright. Monthly payments range from $416 to $635, but upfront costs and additional fees will add to your overall costs.
What to do when your Subaru lease is up
When you reach the end of your lease term, you’ll have to decide if your time with your Subaru is over or if you want to buy it.
How to return a leased Subaru
If you decide to say goodbye to your Subaru, you’ll need to:
Take your Subaru for a pre-inspection
Pay for miles over your mileage cap
Schedule the final return and inspection with the dealership
You’ll also have to pay a $300 disposition fee, regardless of your car’s condition. If you purchase or lease another vehicle right away, you may be exempt from this fee.
How to purchase a leased Subaru
If you decide not to part with your Subaru, you may have the option to purchase it outright. Depending on the dealer and the details of your lease agreement, you may have to apply for a car loan before you can buy your leased Subaru.
MORE: How to prepare a car for inspection when returning a lease
How to find affordable car insurance for a Subaru
With your lease in hand, you’re almost ready to take your Subaru out on the road—but first, you’ll have to get car insurance coverage. If you want to find stress-free affordable insurance, try Jerry
. Jerry is the car insurance
super app that can find you the best premiums on your car insurance. In under a minute, Jerry will browse quotes from more than 50 top-rated providers to find you the best deals. Once you make your pick, Jerry will do all the work of getting you set up with your new policy. No forms, no hassle—just savings. Using Jerry can save you an average of $887 a year on your car insurance!
“After signing up with Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.