If you’re looking to lease a new Kia, there are many options to choose from, but it’s important to be aware of all the extra costs associated with leasing before you commit to your new vehicle.

Buying a new or used vehicle isn’t the only way to get out on the open road. For drivers who don’t want the high price of a new car or the maintenance costs of a used one, leasing is a happy in-between. When you lease, you’ll get access to brand-new features and services for a lower price than a traditional auto loan.

However, leasing does have some drawbacks. Leasing a car often comes with restrictions, and you’ll be paying for convenience and depreciation as opposed to the car’s actual value.

The leasing process can be confusing. That’s why

car insurance

comparison and broker app

Jerry

wants to walk you through everything you need to know about a Kia lease. In this article, we’ll go through the entire leasing process—including the total costs associated with leasing and the services provided. We’ll talk about how to find cheap

Kia car insurance cost

, what to do when your lease agreement comes to an end and help you find your own answer to the question: is leasing worth it?

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Are Kias expensive to maintain?

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How to lease a Kia

Leasing a Kia may seem like a fairly straightforward process, but this doesn’t mean you should drive to the nearest dealership and sign up for the first car that you see! It’s important to take your time when selecting a vehicle. Use this handy checklist to get the best deal on a leased Kia:

First, check your credit score. You’ll usually need a

good credit score

to lease a vehicle than to finance one. To lease a Kia, your credit score should be at least 700. If your credit score is any lower than that, consider building up your score before leasing.

Decide on your leasing budget. To keep costs reasonable, your monthly lease payment should be no more than 15% of your total monthly income. For example, if you make $3,500 a month, your lease payment should not exceed $525, including taxes and fees.

Estimate what you can afford to pay up front. All leases come with upfront costs—many of which may include a sizable down payment of a few thousand dollars.

Calculate your mileage. Most leases come with mileage limits of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. If you think you’ll exceed that, you might consider looking for a high-mileage lease plan that will allow you to drive 20,000-plus miles per year.

Once you’ve locked down your finances, it’s time to find your Kia! Head to your local Kia dealership to

compare lease offers

. If you’re looking for the cheapest Kia lease, we recommend sticking to options like the

Kia Forte

or the

Kia Telluride

. If you’re looking to splurge a little, you may even opt for a hybrid—the Kia Sorento Plug-in XS would be our pick there!

One thing’s for sure: the dealer will try to talk you into add-ons—like cosmetic upgrades and extra accessories. Having a clear budget before you get to the dealership will help you avoid the trap of spending more than you had planned on your lease.

The final step: shop for insurance

Car insurance won’t be included in your lease agreement (but wouldn’t that be cool?), so when you’ve settled on the Kia that fits your budget, you’ll need to purchase an insurance policy.

Jerry

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How to calculate a car lease payment

How much does a Kia lease cost?

Leasing a Kia may be more affordable than buying one—but how much more? The true cost to lease your Kia will depend on certain factors, including:

The Kia model you choose

The price you negotiate

The term of your lease (usually a longer lease will be less expensive overall)

The interest rate on the vehicle

The extra accessories or add-ons you purchase

The sales tax in your state

Lease offers vary seasonally, but in general, you can expect your monthly payment for a 36-month lease to fall between $386 for a

Kia Forte

and $659 for a Kia Sorento Plug-in XS.

However, these are just the monthly fees. You’ll want to take into account other costs that contribute to the amount due at signing. These include your down payment, acquisition fee, and additional taxes and fees.

Let’s look at an example for clarity. To lease a 2022 Kia Forte, you’ll pay about $386 a month, but your upfront costs may include:

First month’s payment: $386

Down payment: $1,000

Acquisition fee: $650

In total, you’ll have $2,036 due at signing for your new Kia Forte. This estimate is based on an excellent credit score and a 36-month lease but doesn’t include sales taxes, add-ons, or other fees that could increase your specific costs.

In another example, the amount due at signing for a 2022 Kia Telluride is $2,439—just $403 more than the Forte—even though the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the Telluride is over $10,000 more! It’s important to take more than just the monthly payment into consideration when looking at lease options.

Services included in a Kia lease

Kia vehicles are under factory warranty for the duration of your lease; however, you’ll be responsible for regular maintenance costs.

You may opt to purchase

Kia’s Maintenance Plan

—a prepaid plan, available in one to six-year terms, covering two services per year.

The following services are included in a Kia Maintenance Plan:

Comprehensive inspections

Oil and oil filter replacement

Cabin air filter, engine air filter, and brake fluid filter replacement

Tire rotation

Spark plug replacement

High voltage battery system replacement (EVs only)

Check Kia’s website for a complete list of what is covered.

Another option is to purchase a Kia Protection Plan through

Kia Finance

. This plan waives charges for excess wear and tear at the end of your lease—although restrictions apply.

Key Takeaway Kia monthly lease payments can vary by hundreds of dollars, but it’s also important to take upfront costs into account, as well as additional services.

What to do when your Kia lease is up

At the end of your lease, you’ll have to make a choice: return your Kia, extend your lease, or purchase the car if you’ve fallen in love.

How to return a leased Kia

To return a leased Kia, you’ll need to:

Schedule a

pre-inspection

through Kia Finance and complete a self-assessment for excess wear and tear

Make any necessary repairs required

Contact your local Kia dealership to schedule the final return and inspection

Purchase additional miles if you’ve exceeded your mileage cap and/or pay for overdue services or wear and tear costs

No matter what shape your car’s in when you bring it back to the dealership, you’ll have to pay a $400 disposition fee—unless you negotiated out of this before starting your lease.

How to purchase a leased Kia

Goodbyes are tough—that’s why Kia makes it easy to buy the car you’ve been leasing. You can work directly with your Kia dealer to buy out your lease or go to your bank or credit union for a loan.

MORE:

Is it better to lease or buy a car?

How to find affordable car insurance for a Kia

No matter what Kia you end up leasing, you’ll need to insure it with a policy that matches your needs. Shop for the lowest rate with the best available coverage with

Jerry

—the

trustworthy super app

for car owners.

Getting insurance for a leased Kia is easy as pie with Jerry. All you have to do is download the app, answer a simple questionnaire, and then sit back and relax. Jerry will provide you with customized quotes from 50+ top insurance companies in less than a minute.

The best part? Jerry will save you money. You could get an average of $887 a year in insurance savings!

“I was paying $350 a month for my new car. With
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FAQs

Is Kia leasing worth it?

Deciding whether a Kia lease is worth it will depend on your finances and your personal preferences. If you’re looking for a long-term commitment, a lease might not be the right choice. However, if you fancy trying out a new car for a couple of years before deciding to buy it, leasing may be ideal.

What’s the cheapest Kia you can lease?

The exact cost of leasing a Kia will depend on many factors, from your state’s sales tax and the price you negotiated to your credit score. If you’re looking for a Kia on the cheaper side, we recommend the 2022 Kia Forte—it is one of the cheapest new Kias to rent at around $386 a month.

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