FuelEcon

Fuel economy for dummies

Lease vs Buy Fuel Factor

Is that low lease payment still a good deal after you factor in the gas savings of a newer car?

Monthly Fuel Savings

$0.00

By switching to the lease option, you'd save this much on gas alone.

Keeping / Buying

Leasing New

How it works

When you're deciding between keeping your current car (which might be paid off but gas-thirsty) and leasing a brand new model, the sticker price doesn't tell the whole story. A lease payment might look high, but if the new car gets 15 more MPG than your current one, your "effective" cost is much lower.

This tool calculates the monthly fuel cost for both vehicles based on your driving habits. We then subtract the fuel savings from the lease payment to show you the "Net Monthly Change" in your wallet.

Why it matters

According to the EPA, the average vehicle on the road today gets about 24 MPG. Many new leases feature hybrid or highly efficient engines that can easily hit 40-50 MPG. For a driver doing 1,000 miles a month, that jump in efficiency can save over $100 in gas. That means a $400 lease payment might actually feel like a $300 payment compared to your old car's budget.

Pro Tip: Don't forget insurance! Newer cars often cost more to insure than older ones. While you're saving on gas, check a quick quote to make sure the insurance bump doesn't eat all your fuel savings.

FAQs

Only if the new car is significantly more efficient than your current one. If you're leasing a similar SUV to what you already own, the fuel factor might be negligible.

If your gas savings cover more than 25% of your lease payment, the "Fuel Factor" is considered very high and a strong reason to consider the upgrade.