Top 10 Most Popular Leased Luxury SUVs In The USA

November 9, 2018

Leasing is a very popular way to experience what luxury SUVs have to offer. The benefits of leasing vs. buying are compelling:

• You get a much lower monthly payment
• You can lease a nicer can than you could afford to buy
• You can get into a lease for little or nothing down
• You get the latest safety and infotainment technology
• You have full warranty coverage for the entire term of the lease
• Leasing provides you with generous business-use benefits
• You can walk away at lease end, and into a new vehicle every few years

It’s no wonder that so many luxury SUVs are driven off of dealers’ lots by leasing customers. The overall percentage of luxury vehicles leased, based on the specific brand, hovers around 50 percent for most, and can approach two-thirds in some cases. And with the growing popularity of luxury SUVs, this extends to that body style as well.

Compact & Mid-size Luxury SUVs Rule

It stands to reason that compact and mid-size luxury SUVs, which dominate the sales race, would also come out at the top of the leasing ratings. All of our finalists are from these two general size categories. But our list does not exactly mirror the general sales statistics. Why? Some brands sell more vehicles overall, but have lower leasing percentages, while others sell fewer vehicles, but lease a higher percentage of them. With that in mind, we now present the Top 10 Most-Leased Luxury SUVs.

10. Mercedes-Benz GLE

In tenth place is the Mercedes-Benz GLE, a mid-size two-row luxury SUV. The GLE comes with all-wheel drive standard. The standard V6 engine has 302 horsepower, with options up to 436 horsepower in the plug-in hybrid version. Cargo space in the GLE with the rear seats folded is 80.3 cu. ft. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a powerful and luxurious Mercedes-Benz SUV. An all-new 2020 model of the GLE has been announced, and it will appear in Mercedes showrooms in 2019.

9. BMW X5

The ninth-place BMW X5 is BMW’s mid-size two-row luxury SUV. The all-new 2019 X5 comes with all-wheel drive standard. The standard six-cylinder engine has 335 horsepower, with an optional 446-horsepower V8. Cargo space with the rear seats folded is 72.3 cu.ft. The BMW X5 is a spacious, capable, and luxurious SUV that has that genuine BMW feel.

8. Infiniti QX60

The Infiniti QX60, Infiniti’s mid-size three-row luxury SUV, scores eight place, thanks to Infiniti’s very high percentage of leasing customers. The QX60 is the only legit three-row SUV to make the top ten (the Lexus RX L, with its barely usable third row, doesn’t really count). The Infiniti QX60 comes with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The standard and only engine is a V6 with 295 horsepower. Cargo space with the rear seats folded is 76.2 cu. ft. The Infiniti QX60 gives you a smooth ride, a great-looking and comfortable interior, and a third row that’s easy to use.

7. Acura RDX

Coming in seventh is the Acura RDX, which is all-new for 2019. Acura’s compact two-row luxury SUV has grown in wheelbase, length, and width, which means more room inside. The RDX comes with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Its engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder, rated at 272 horsepower. Cargo space with the rear seats folded is 58.9 cu. ft. The Acura RDX is an extremely safe, well-equipped, sporty, and tech-filled small SUV that offers plenty of value, compared to its European rivals.

6. Cadillac XT5

In the sixth spot is the Cadillac XT5, our only US-branded finalist. The XT5 is Cadillac’s mid-size two-row luxury SUV, and it comes with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The XT5’s standard and only engine is a V6 with 310 horsepower. Cargo space with the rear seats folded is 63 cu. ft. The Cadillac XT5 has very sharp styling, a luxurious interior, and lots of space inside, for both people and cargo.

5. Lexus NX

The Lexus NX, Lexus’ aggressively-styled compact two-row luxury SUV, finishes in fifth place. The NX comes with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Lexus NX’s standard four-cylinder turbocharged engine has 235 horsepower, with 194 total system horsepower in the hybrid version. Cargo space with the rear seats folded is 54.6 cu. ft. The Lexus NX is the entry-level Lexus SUV, but it still has the excellent quality, superb comfort and standard tech features you’d expect from the brand.

4. BMW X3

The BMW X3 is our fourth-place luxury SUV. BMW’s compact two-row SUV comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. The X3’s standard four-cylinder turbocharged engine has 248 horsepower, with an option of six cylinders and 355 horsepower. Cargo space with the X3’s rear seats folded is 62.7 cu. ft. The BMW X3 is the 3 Series of SUVs, equally at home going out for dinner, tackling a winding mountain road, or venturing off-road on a camping trip.

3. Mercedes-Benz GLC

In third place we have the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Benz’s compact two-row luxury SUV. The GLC comes with rear-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Its standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine has 241 horsepower, with an optional 315 horsepower in the hybrid version. Cargo space in the GLC, with the rear seats folded, is 56.5 cu. ft. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is classy, quiet, comfortable and spacious, fulfilling its function as the quintessential Mercedes-Benz compact SUV.

2. Audi Q5

The Audi Q5, a compact two-row luxury SUV, achieves second place on our list. The Q5 comes with all-wheel drive as standard equipment. The Q5’s standard and only four-cylinder turbo engine is rated at 252 horsepower. Cargo space with the rear seats folded is 60.4 cu. ft. The Audi Q5 is quiet and comfortable, embodying the premium look and feel, both inside and out, that leasing customers respond to in a luxury SUV.

1. Lexus RX

Taking the top spot, and by a very wide margin, is the Lexus RX, Lexus’ mid-size two-row luxury SUV. The Lexus RX is the best-selling Lexus, and it is also the top-selling (and top-leasing) luxury SUV. Period. The Lexus RX comes with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The standard V6 engine has 295 horsepower, with 308 total system horsepower in the hybrid version. The recently-added RX L model provides some extra length, and the illusion of third-row seating. Cargo space with the rear seats folded is 56.3 cu. ft. for the RX, and 70.7 cu. ft. for the RX L. The Lexus RX provides what Americans want in a premium SUV – luxurious surroundings, space, advanced safety tech, style, and the acclaimed Lexus ownership experience.