If you are considering getting a Tesla in this unpredictable automotive market, you should consider all questions, including can you lease one? Of course, you will then need to grapple with the dilemma of leasing versus financing, but that’s a discussion for another time.
Here we’ll answer the question, can you lease a Tesla? Here’s a hint: Yes, you can. So, now that we know you can indeed lease a Tesla, you may be wondering, where can you lease one? How do you lease a Tesla, and how much does it cost to lease a Tesla?
We will answer those questions and even toss in some other information to help you in your Tesla quest. For example, Tesla doesn’t use fixed model years. Unlike other automakers, it doesn’t release its next model-year vehicles every fall. Instead, the company makes many of its technology enhancements on the fly through its over-the-air (OTA) updates. Moreover, changes in trim levels (such as they are) and content can come at any time.
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Where Can I Lease a Tesla?
First, you need to understand that whether you lease or buy a Tesla, the process will likely be different than previous car shopping experiences. Most of us must shop for a Tesla online. Many states don’t even permit Tesla to lease or sell cars. Tesla concentrates its stores in major metropolitan areas in the states that allow direct sales. Tesla provides a list of store and gallery locations.
The lack of Tesla dealerships means there isn’t physical tire-kicking when shopping for a model to lease. You will need to decide if you are willing to lease a Tesla without test-driving that particular vehicle. We don’t think it’s a smart idea, but plenty of people do it.
How to Lease a Tesla
Once you’ve come to grips with leasing your Tesla online, the process is straightforward. You have very few decisions to make and even fewer boxes to check. Tesla offers what it calls “Order Online for Touchless Delivery” on its website.
You get started by picking the Tesla model you want from the list of four (Model 3, Model S, Model X, and Model Y). Depending on your chosen model, one or two tabs will be below its photo. The first may be “Custom Order” or “Order Now,” with the other being “Existing Inventory.” For a laugh (or a defeated sigh), select the “Existing Inventory” tab if it appears. Didn’t find what you are looking for? We didn’t think you would.
Clicking on Custom Order or Order Now takes you to the page where you can configure your Tesla. Before you do anything else, beneath the name of the model you’ve picked, click on the “Purchase Price” tab. The “Potential Savings” tab reflects the price after Tesla’s estimated gas and tax savings. Your lease terms will be based on the actual purchase price.
The only choices you need to make are listed down the right-hand side of the page, beginning with the trim level. From there, scroll down through the paint color, wheel design, interior color, and Autopilot options. After making your selections, click on “Continue to Payment.”
Have your credit card handy because the next step is to pony up your nonrefundable $250 order deposit. With that accomplished, you can opt for leasing on the financing page and go from there.
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How Much to Lease a Tesla?
We hesitate to highlight specific pricing numbers when we don’t need to. In today’s volatile automotive market, prices can change with the speed of a Tesla Model S Plaid. Considering how many quoted prices are in play across Autotrader, keeping track of and making the appropriate changes is a sizeable task. However, we’ll include generalized costs here to give you a baseline for the monthly leasing payments you can expect. Therefore, as of this writing, here are the lease terms and estimated monthly installments for each of the four Tesla models.
Because Tesla doesn’t assign model years to its vehicles, we aren’t going to refer to the models here as 2022 versions. However, these are the latest models and pricing.
How Much to Lease a Tesla Model 3?
Leasing through Tesla, the estimated monthly lease payment for a Model 3 is between $519 and $779 per month.
The Model 3 offers two trim levels: Model 3 and Model 3 Performance. The Model 3 is a one-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) compact sedan. With its second motor, the Model 3 Performance is all-wheel drive (AWD), providing quicker acceleration and a more extended range. Tesla isn’t currently offering an AWD Long Range model.
We also include the “Due at Signing” amount, which Tesla bases on the listed down payment, the first month’s estimated lease payment, and a $695 acquisition fee. The latter is a paperwork fee included in any lease’s upfront costs. The lease price reflects the base price of that model.
Model 3
- Lease Price: $48,490
- Down Payment: $4,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $5,714
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $519
Model 3 Performance
- Lease Price: $62,990
- Down Payment: $4,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $5,974
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $779
How Much to Lease a Tesla Model S?
Tesla currently offers the Model S as the Model S and the Model S Plaid. Both sedan models straddle the line between midsize and full-size, providing dual motors and AWD. The Model S delivers more range with the Model S Plaid providing quicker acceleration and more horsepower.
Model S
- Lease Price: $109,490
- Down Payment: $7,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $9,747
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $1,552
Model S Plaid
- Lease Price: $140,490
- Down Payment: $7,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $10,194
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $1,999
How Much to Lease a Tesla Model X?
According to Tesla’s lease calculator, the estimated monthly lease payment for a Model X is between $1,817 and $2,159.
A midsize crossover, the Model X provides dual motors and AWD. The Model X delivers modestly more range, while the Model X Plaid is quicker with a few more ponies in its stable.
Model X
- Lease Price: $126,490
- Down Payment: $7,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $10,012
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $1,817
Model X Plaid
- Lease Price: $144,490
- Down Payment: $7,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $10,354
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $2,159
How Much to Lease a Tesla Model Y?
Tesla’s lease calculator estimates the monthly payment for a Model Y is between $817 and $869.
As of this writing, Tesla offers the Model Y as the Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance. The Model Y is a small AWD crossover with dual electric motors. As its name implies, the Long Range delivers more range on a full charge, while the Performance is quicker. There isn’t much daylight between their prices. Therefore, the differences in range and performance are measurable but small.
Model Y Long Range
- Lease Price: $67,990
- Down Payment: $4,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $6,012
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $817
Model Y Performance
- Lease Price: $69,990
- Down Payment: $4,500
- Terms: 36 months
- Due at Signing: $6,064
- Estimated Monthly Payment: $869
