auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Luxury Sports Sedans Lose Favor in Secondary Lease Market

Swapalease.com’s Q1 latest report finds only 11.2% of lease-exchange customers favored luxury sports sedans in the first quarter, down from 17.7% in Q1 2018.

April 30, 2019
Luxury Sports Sedans Lose Favor in Secondary Lease Market

Interest in SUVs such as the Dodge Durango rose sharply at the expense of sports cars and luxury sedans in Swapalease.com’s Q1 report.

Photo courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2 min to read


CINCINNATI — New data from Swapalease.com’s survey-based Q1 lease trends report shows the decades-long domination of the lease market by sports cars and luxury sedans may be over. When asked what type of lease they would most likely get into next, only 11.2% of consumers listed luxury sports sedans, down significantly from 17.7% a year earlier, while 37.7% listed SUVs, up sharply from 29.9% a year ago.

Among the reasons cited for exiting a lease early range from “change in income” (38.3%, up from 34.8% a year ago) to “change in family size” (13%, up from 8.1%). Fifteen percent of respondents said they are driving an average of 7,500 miles a year on their vehicle lease, up from only 10.4% of people indicating this level a year earlier. This is a possible indication that more people are utilizing ride sharing and food delivery services, and driving less for work, recreation and everyday household tasks, analysts said.

The Dodge, Honda, and Volkswagen brands saw a noticeable year-over-year increase. Ford and Nissan were among those seeing a decline. Searches for Ram vehicles increased by 93%.

“I don’t think many people will be surprised to see that SUVs are becoming more popular as a lease option,” said Scot Hall, executive vice president of Swapalease.com. “However, the luxury sports sedan has been a staple of leasing for decades, and it is yet another indication that the American appetite for vehicles continues to march toward SUVs and crossovers of all sizes.”

To read the report in its entirety, click here.

Originally posted on F&I and Showroom

More Dealer Ops

two cars on a billboard, No Hidden Fees
ComplianceMay 1, 2026

Dealer Ads and the FTC

The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.

Read More →
Closeup of white car's headlight, front end
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellApril 17, 2026

Used Autos Supply Dwindles

The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.

Read More →
hands making protective frame over red car, Risk Reality Check, Be Proactive, Auto Dealer Today logo
Dealer OpsApril 1, 2026

Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times

The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car key, stacks of coins, and a paper car cutout with AutoPayPlus logo, representing auto financing, loan terms, and vehicle affordability trends.
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales

AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.

Read More →
Headshots of two male executives
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 24, 2026

IA American Appoints Two Execs

Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.

Read More →
Dealer Opsby StaffSeptember 8, 2025

Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm

Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Dealer Opsby StaffAugust 26, 2025

Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman

Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships

Read More →
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellAugust 26, 2025

Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half

A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.

Read More →
Dealer OpsAugust 25, 2025

How to Build a High-Performance Sales and F&I Team

Performance and profits start with people chosen and led the right way.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellAugust 19, 2025

Buy-Sells Up in Q2

Kerrigan metrics show there’s plenty of demand, though many sellers are waiting to pull the trigger.

Read More →