Cadillac Lease

Leasing a Cadillac is an affordable way to drive a high-end vehicle.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Leasing a Cadillac is an affordable way for drivers to get behind the wheel of a high-end vehicle without the expenses of long-term financing. But it’s important to have a clear understanding of what monthly costs, restrictions, and terms are associated with a lease agreement before you sign. 
It’s no surprise that almost all dealerships offer leasing options—it’s an attractive prospect, especially for those who aren’t ready for the kind of commitment purchasing entails. That being said, a lease has its drawbacks as well. 
Wondering whether or not to pull the trigger on a lease?
Car insurance
broker and comparison app
Jerry
has put together a guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of leasing a Cadillac. In this article, we’ll cover the basics: how the leasing process works, what it costs, what happens at the lease term’s end, and how you can save on
Cadillac insurance costs
.
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How to lease a Cadillac

While both
buying and leasing a vehicle
are pretty uncomplicated, it’s not recommended that you enter a lease agreement on a whim. If you have your eye on a Cadillac there are a few key steps you must take so that you walk into the dealership prepared. Here’s what you need to do:
  • Step one is checking your credit score. This is the most important piece because it determines if you’re eligible for a lease. More often than not, you’ll need to have a
    credit score
    of at least 700 to ink a good lease agreement. 
  • Figure out your leasing budget. Map out a plan so that your
    monthly car lease payments
    are not more than you can realistically manage—keep it at 15% or less than your monthly income. 
  • You’ll also want to calculate what you will be able to pay up front. The dealership will expect you to put down somewhere around $2,000 when you sign the lease. A larger down payment will help lower the amount you owe each month.  
  • Know how many miles you drive in a year. A traditional lease comes with a mileage cap of 10,000 to 15,000 miles each year. If you’re someone who takes a lot of weekend trips or gives a bulk of your annual miles to a lengthy commute, it might be in your best interest to consider a high-mileage lease to increase your yearly allotment to 20,000 miles. 
Once you have all the numbers laid out, you are ready to shop around for the best
lease offer
. Some of the most sought-after Cadillac models to lease are the sleek
CT5 Sport
and the luxurious
XT5 SUV
. But if you’re able to splurge a little and aren’t put off by driving a bigger vehicle, there’s always the eternally eye-catching
Escalade
When you go to the dealership, avoid any temptation to stray from your budget. As you walk through the Cadillac showroom filled with sparkling clean cars, the dealer may try to talk you into purchasing fancy cosmetic upgrades, or the latest tech package. If your financial plan doesn’t allow for add-ons, simply decline them.

The final step: shop for insurance

As you navigate your leasing budget, don’t overlook the fact that you’ll also need to purchase car insurance. Your Cadillac lease agreement does not come with an insurance policy. Luckily, finding the best prices on coverage is super easy with the help of
Jerry
To get set up with major savings, download the Jerry app, answer a few general questions about yourself and your Cadillac, and in just 45 seconds, Jerry grabs the most competitive online quotes from over 50 top-rated insurance companies and puts them in a list for you. With a few clicks of a button, you could save an average of $887 a year on car insurance!  

How much does a Cadillac lease cost?

A big part of the lure of leasing as opposed to financing a vehicle lies in the amount of money you could save. But just how much do you save when you lease a Cadillac instead of purchasing one? To get a clearer picture of what costs make up the price of a lease, here’s a look at some of the contributing factors: 
  • The model you decide to lease
  • The price you negotiate at the dealership
  • Your lease term
  • How much interest you’ll be charged on your lease payments (also called the money factor or rent charge)
  • The cost of any add-ons or upgrade packages you buy
  • What you’ll pay in sales tax where you live
You might be able to score additional savings if you sign a lease during one of the dealership’s promotional offers, but you should still expect to shell out between $546 a month to lease the Cadillac CT5 and $1,154 if you go with the Escalade. These figures are based on drivers who have an excellent credit rating
Don’t underestimate what your upfront cost is going to look like. There’s more than just the down payment that is included in the amount due at signing. Let’s look at an example: you’ve decided to sign a lease agreement for a 2022 Cadillac CT5 and are willing to put down $2,000 as your
down payment
. Here’s what the amount due at signing will look like: 
  • Payment for the first month of the lease: $546
  • Cost of the down payment: $2,000
  • Acquisition fee (what you pay to get the keys to the car): $595
With the above data considered, the total amount due at signing is $3,141. This does not include the charge for sales tax or any additional upgrades you may have purchased. 

Services included in a Cadillac lease

While the upfront fees can be a bit unsettling, another perk of leasing a Cadillac is the complimentary maintenance and warranty that will protect your vehicle for most of—if not all—of your lease term. For example, 2019 and 2020 models come with Cadillac Premium Care, which includes the following:
  • Oil change 
  • Oil filter change
  • Tire rotation
  • Multi-point vehicle inspection
  • Four year or 50,000-mile warranty coverage—whichever comes first
To find out more about what the warranty covers, visit the
Cadillac website
Key Takeaway The upfront fees associated with leasing a Cadillac are offset by the warranty and services included in the lease agreement. 

What to do when your Cadillac lease is up

When your lease term is about to end, it’s important for you to have a plan of action in place. In order to have a seamless transition out of your lease agreement, you will need to decide the following:
  • You can return your leased vehicle and walk away with no further attachment. From there you will be able to look into leasing a different vehicle or purchasing one.
  • If you loved your lease experience and wish to buy your Cadillac, you can talk to the dealership about your next steps. 
  • Not ready to purchase? Ask your dealer about extending your current lease. 

How to return a leased Cadillac 

Here’s what you need to do when it’s time to
return your Cadillac
to the dealership. 
  • Start by scheduling a
    pre-return inspection
    . It’s free of charge and the inspector will let you know if there are any repairs needed before turning the Cadillac in. 
  • You can contact 1-800-556-2811 or visit
    AutoVINLive.com
    to set up a time for the inspection. 
  • Make an appointment with the dealership to return the vehicle. 
  • Pay the applicable fees. The disposition fee (also called the turn-in fee) should cost $595. Check your lease contract to confirm this number. 
  • How to purchase a leased Cadillac

    The purchase option is available to you at any time during your lease. To get the lease purchase price for your Cadillac, you can contact GM Financial at 1-866-631-0132. 
    You’ll be asked to meet at the dealership to go over the paperwork, including applying for a loan or going over the figures of your car loan preapproval.  

    How to find affordable car insurance for a Cadillac

    No lease is complete without a good
    car insurance
    policy that keeps you safe and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. To help find the cheapest deal on the coverage that’s right for you, give car insurance comparison and licensed broker super app
    Jerry
    a try. 
    Jerry fits right in your pocket and is available 24/7. Plus, the app is free and so easy to use! All you need to do is answer a few simple questions about yourself and your Cadillac and in under a minute, you’ll be browsing through a comprehensive list of the most competitive rates from over 50+ top insurance companies to find the best deal on your
    Cadillac insurance costs
    .
    You won’t have to fill out any forms or wait on hold with insurance agents to get a quote. Plus, once you select your new coverage, Jerry will even help cancel your existing policy! The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance! 
    “A super easy app for great savings. I gave them my information and got quotes from
    Jerry
    very quickly! Now I’m saving $108/month.” —Kiyoshi A.
    Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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    FAQs

    Seasonal promotions can cause lease rates to fluctuate but, in general, certain Cadillac models like the CT4 and CT5 sedans as well as the XT4 subcompact SUV are the cheapest to lease. If you put down between $3,420 and $4,950 at the time of signing, the monthly payments for these vehicles will hover around $379 to $409.
    The disposition fee is what the leasing company charges to prepare the vehicle you just returned for a future buyer or leaser. Oftentimes, if you buy the vehicle at the end of your lease term, the disposition fee is waived.
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