Car lease guide · Updated Oct 17, 2026
$0 down car leases: how they work and the best deals today
A zero-down lease lets you drive a new car home without a big check at the dealership. It is one of the easiest nothing-down deals to find, but “$0 down” and “$0 due at signing” are not the same thing, and the difference shows up in your payment.
Live Oct 17, 2026
Today’s best car leases with nothing due at signing
- 2026 Toyota Corolla LE$296/mo$0 due at signing
- 2026 Hyundai Kona SE$297/mo$0 due at signing
- 2026 Hyundai Sonata SE$302/mo$0 due at signing
- 2026 Hyundai Elantra SE$307/mo$0 due at signing
- 2026 Mazda Mazda3 2.5 S$307/mo$0 due at signing
- 2026 Mazda CX-30 2.5 S AWD$312/mo$0 due at signing
$0 down vs. $0 due at signing
These two phrases get used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t.
| $0 down lease | $0 due at signing lease | |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment (cap cost reduction) | None | None |
| First month’s payment | Usually due at signing | Rolled into the lease |
| Bank acquisition fee | Often due at signing | Rolled into the lease |
| Taxes, title and registration | Often due at signing | Rolled in where state law allows |
| Cash you bring | Typically several hundred to a few thousand dollars | Nothing |
A $0-due-at-signing lease spreads every upfront cost across the term, so the monthly payment is a bit higher. Toyota’s October Camry Hybrid lease, for example, is $0 down but still asks for the $359 first payment when you sign.
What a $0 down lease really costs
Money you don’t pay at signing doesn’t vanish; it moves into the payment. As a rough guide, every $1,000 you skip up front adds about $28 a month to a 36-month lease, before interest. That is why a lease advertised at $239 a month with $2,999 down can become roughly $320 a month with nothing down.
The good news: putting money down on a lease is risky anyway. If the car is totaled or stolen early, insurance and gap coverage pay off the lease, but your down payment is usually gone. Paying nothing up front keeps that cash safe.
Who qualifies for a zero-down lease
- Credit: advertised $0-down programs assume top-tier credit, often a score around 700 or higher. Lower scores can still lease, but usually with money down or a security deposit.
- Region: many manufacturer offers are regional, so the same car can have different terms in California and New York.
- Timing: most programs run for a month and end on a set date, often the first business days of the next month.
Which brands offer the best $0 down leases
Mainstream brands publish the most zero-down leases. This month the lowest payments come from compact cars and small SUVs at Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, Kia and Nissan, while Volkswagen’s Sign Then Drive event covers the first payment as well. Browse by brand: Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru and Chevrolet.
How to get a zero-down lease approved
- Check your credit firstPull your score before you shop so you know whether you fit the top tier the ad assumes.
- Ask for the deal in writingRequest a quote that lists the selling price, money factor, residual, acquisition fee and total due at signing.
- Compare the total costMultiply the payment by the term and add anything due at signing. Use that number to compare cars and dealers.
- Pick your mileage honestlyOverage charges often run 15 to 25 cents a mile. Paying for extra miles up front is usually cheaper.
- Watch the add-onsPaint protection, tire packages and extended warranties can quietly erase a good zero-down deal.
Questions people ask
Can you really lease a car with nothing down?
Yes. Many brands and dealers offer $0-due-at-signing leases to buyers with strong credit. Every upfront cost, including the first payment and fees, is added to the monthly payment.
Is it smart to put $0 down on a lease?
Often, yes. A lease down payment only lowers your monthly payment, and it can be lost if the car is totaled early. Many experts suggest putting as little down as possible on a lease.
What credit score do I need for a $0 down lease?
Advertised zero-down lease programs usually assume top-tier credit, commonly around 700 or higher. Requirements vary by lender and brand.
Does $0 down mean $0 due at signing?
No. $0 down means no down payment, but you may still owe the first payment, fees and taxes at signing. $0 due at signing means you pay nothing when you sign.