How to read an EV lease offer

Three numbers, not one

An offer gives a monthly payment, a term, and an amount due at signing. The monthly alone leaves out the money paid up front.

Real monthly is everything you pay over the term divided by the months. When the amount due at signing already includes the first payment, count one fewer payment after it.

A worked example

Kia's offer for a 2026 EV6 Light Long Range in Austin on Oct 10: $4,499 due at signing, which includes the first payment, then 35 payments of $419. That is $19,164 over 36 months, or $532 a month. The ad says $419.

It allows 10,000 miles a year and ends Nov 2.

When the maker does not state it

Tesla's price for a Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive in California on Oct 10 is $419 a month for 36 months with $3,000 down and a $695 acquisition fee. Tesla does not state the total due at signing, so we show it as $419/mo + $3,000 down and do not compute a real monthly.

Before you sign

Tax, title, license and dealer fees are in none of these. Ask for the total due at signing, the money factor and the residual in writing. Your contract is final.

Sources

Checked Oct 10. Numbers are the maker's own offer data as read that morning.