Ram 1500 Tops Lease Buyouts In 2026 Report

In today’s automotive market, affordability remains one of the biggest challenges for buyers. With new vehicle prices hovering at historically high levels and interest rates still elevated, more drivers are turning to a familiar—and often smarter—option: buying out their lease instead of jumping into a new vehicle.

According to the latest data from LeaseEnd’s 2026 Annual Lease Buyout Report, lease buyouts are no longer just a niche decision—they’ve become a mainstream strategy for consumers looking to control costs while maximizing value.

From trucks like the Ram 1500 to SUVs like the Jeep® Wrangler, the trend shows that Americans are holding onto vehicles they already know, rather than taking on the financial burden of something new.

Younger Buyers Are Driving The Trend

One of the most interesting shifts in the data is who’s actually buying out their leases.

The average age of a lease buyout customer has steadily dropped, now sitting at 47 years old. That might not sound dramatic at first, but just a few years ago, that number was closer to 50.

Younger buyers are clearly entering the picture in a bigger way.

Millennials now account for more than a third of all lease buyouts, while Gen Z is beginning to make a measurable impact. Combined, those two groups now represent nearly half of all buyout activity.

The motivation differs depending on age:

• Older buyers tend to value convenience. They already know the vehicle, trust it, and want to avoid the hassle of shopping again.
• Younger buyers are playing it more strategically. They’re leveraging built-up equity and avoiding today’s high monthly payments associated with new-vehicle financing.

That second group is especially important because it signals a shift in how consumers think about vehicle ownership. It’s no longer just about getting something new—it’s about making a smarter financial move.

Top Vehicles By Generation

Trucks And SUVs Continue To Dominate

If you’re familiar with the current U.S. market, it won’t surprise you that SUVs and trucks dominate lease buyouts.

About 65% of all buyouts fall into the SUV and crossover category, while trucks make up another 13%. Sedans trail behind at just 18%.

That distribution reflects what people were leasing three years ago when these contracts began—and it also reinforces how strong demand remains for utility-focused vehicles.

Leading the pack in 2025 was the Ram 1500, which climbed to the number one spot among all lease buyouts. That’s a big deal, especially considering it overtook the Honda Civic, which held the top position the previous year.

Right behind it was the Jeep Wrangler, a vehicle that continues to benefit from:

• Strong resale value
• Loyal ownership base
• Unique positioning in the market

Other top performers included the Honda CR-V, Toyota Tacoma, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

From a Mopar perspective, seeing both the Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler near the top of the charts reinforces what we’ve been saying for years—these vehicles hold their value and keep customers coming back.

Equity Is The Real Game-Changer

One of the biggest reasons lease buyouts are surging is equity.

In simple terms, equity is the difference between what your vehicle is worth and what you owe on it. And in today’s market, many drivers are finding themselves in a positive position.

Every vehicle in the top 10 most popular buyouts carried positive equity in 2025.

That means:

• The market value of the vehicle was higher than the lease payoff
• Buyers were essentially getting a “deal” by keeping the car

Some models stood out more than others.

The Honda CR-V led the way with nearly $8,000 in average equity, while other vehicles like the Honda Civic and Toyota Tacoma also delivered strong returns.

Even the Jeep Wrangler, known more for its lifestyle appeal than pure affordability, still carried positive equity—something that continues to justify its long-term value.

For drivers, this creates a clear opportunity. Instead of walking away from that built-up value, they can capture it by buying the vehicle outright.

Monthly Payments Tell The Story

Another major factor driving buyouts is the difference in monthly payments.

On average, drivers who bought out their leases in 2025 paid about $563 per month. Compare that to roughly $659 for a new lease, and you’re looking at about $100 per month in savings.

Over the course of a year, that’s around $1,200 back in your pocket.

And in today’s economy, that kind of difference matters. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about predictability. Buyers already know how the vehicle performs, what it costs to maintain, and what to expect in the long term.

That level of certainty is something you don’t always get with a brand-new vehicle.

Loan Terms Are Getting Longer

Of course, there’s a tradeoff.

As more people buy out their leases, loan terms are getting longer.

The average loan term has now stretched to over 72 months, up from just over 70 months a few years ago.

That trend highlights a broader issue in the industry—vehicles are becoming more expensive, and buyers are taking on longer loans to keep payments manageable.

Interest rates are also still a factor.

While average APRs have slightly improved, dropping to just over 9% in early 2026, they remain significantly higher than they were just a few years ago.

That means financing still isn’t cheap—but it’s becoming more manageable.

Regional Differences Matter

Where you live also plays a role in how attractive a lease buyout can be.

The Midwest continues to offer some of the most favorable financing conditions, with lower average APRs and higher credit scores compared to other regions.

Meanwhile, the Southeast tends to have slightly higher interest rates.

States like Idaho offer some of the lowest rates in the country, while others like Oklahoma sit at the higher end of the spectrum.

That difference can add up quickly.

On a $30,000 buyout loan, the gap between low- and high-APR states can mean more than $3,000 in additional interest over the life of the loan.

Mileage Penalties Are A Hidden Factor

Another often-overlooked reason drivers choose buyouts is mileage. The average mileage at lease-end in 2025 was 36,954 miles — just 954 miles over the standard 36,000-mile allowance.

Most leases come with a standard limit of around 36,000 miles over three years. Go over that, and you’ll pay a penalty—usually between $0.10 and $0.30 per mile. That translates to up to $300 in potential overage fees for the typical driver.

For the average driver, that might not be a huge deal. But for high-mileage vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, it can add up fast. Wrangler lessees averaged nearly 45,000 miles at lease-end—well above the standard limit. At the higher end of the penalty range, that could mean thousands of dollars in fees.

By choosing to buy out the vehicle instead, drivers can avoid those charges entirely.

In many cases, that alone makes the buyout decision worthwhile.

EVs And Hybrids Are Growing—Slowly

Electrified vehicles are starting to enter the buyout conversation, but they’re still a small share of the overall market.

Hybrids saw the biggest growth, now accounting for over 7% of buyouts. EVs, on the other hand, remain under 2%.

That gap highlights something we’re seeing across the industry—while electrification is growing, it’s not replacing traditional powertrains overnight.

Interestingly, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe hybrid ranked among the top electrified models being bought out, showing that buyers still want capability along with efficiency.

What It All Means Moving Forward

The takeaway from LeaseEnd’s 2026 report is pretty clear: lease buyouts are becoming a go-to strategy for American drivers. And honestly, it makes sense.

With:

• High vehicle prices
• Rising interest rates
• Strong resale values
• Built-up equity

Buying out your lease often checks all the right boxes.

For Mopar buyers in particular, the trend is even more telling. Vehicles like the Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler aren’t just popular—they’re proving to be smart long-term investments.

As we move deeper into 2026, don’t expect this trend to slow down. If anything, lease buyouts could become an even bigger part of the automotive landscape, especially if affordability pressures continue.

For a lot of drivers, the smartest move right now isn’t upgrading—it’s holding onto what they already have.

See the full data at LeaseEnd.com.