One of the secrets in getting low monthly payments on your car lease is to select a vehicle with a high residual value. This is because the residual value will be deducted from the sticker price of the car, giving you the overall lease price.

Lease a cheaper car, and you get low monthly payments. If you lease a car with a higher residual value, then you can enjoy lower payments and great value for money.

Sport-utility vehicles are one of the best cars to lease because they are more expensive than normal cars. But there are some luxury SUV’s that stand out from the rest when it comes to future resale values. Here are the top 2012 luxury SUV’s with the highest residual value according to Kelly Blue Book:

Audi Q7

Audi may be late in the SUV game, but it pulled-off a miracle with the Audi Q7. Since we are talking about an Audi, the Q7 has impressive levels of build quality and craftsmanship that perfectly blurs the line when it comes to plush luxury and inherent sportiness.

With prices starting at around $46,500 the Audi Q7 offers a lot of bang for the buck. The standard 3.0-liter V6 engine produces enough motivation to push the Q7’s lofty curb weight. The Quattro all-wheel drive system offers tons of grip even on slippery surfaces. The Q7 also comes with a 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6 engine that produces locomotive-like waves of torque.

Estimated resale value of the Audi Q7 is around 63.3% after 36 months and 44.3% after 60 months.

Infiniti FX

The Infiniti FX is based on the Nissan Z sports coupe, meaning it has the DNA of a tight-handling sports car. The Infiniti FX is a crossover SUV that is a little more stylish than most that you see on US roads. It also comes with either a 3.5-liter V6 or 5.0-liter V8 for true sports car performance.

With prices starting at $43,700 the Infiniti FX is a sport-luxury SUV with elevated levels of opulence and performance. The Infiniti FX has a resale value of around 58% after 36 months and 44% after 60 months.

Lexus RX

The Lexus RX may be smaller in size compared to the Q7 and the Infiniti FX but it it still a proper luxury SUV. It has a plush ride, a luxurious interior, an abundance of high-tech features, and is as reliable as death and taxes. no wonder that many people are lining up for the Lexus RX, especially considering that it only costs $39,310.

The Lexus RX has an estimated resale value 64% after 36 months and 43% after 60 months.

If you are looking to lease a luxury SUV, you should try to get the latest leasing deals for the Audi Q7, Infiniti FX, and Lexus RX so you can compare which will provide you with more value for money.

If you are thinking about buying a new car, you should consider a vehicle with a modest resale value. This is also true if you want to lease a new car. Many people don’t even consider the future value of the car that they want to purchase. The truth is that buying or leasing a vehicle with decent residuals will not only give you lower monthly payments, but it also means that you can sell your old car for more money compared to other vehicles.

How Do they Determine the Residual Value?

The residual value will have something to do with vehicle desirability, build quality, and perceived customer value. A vehicle that is reliable, sturdy, and with less problems will also have a higher perceived value compared to other similar cars.

Honda, Toyota, and Lexus vehicles are one of the most reliable cars that you can buy. The same can be said for famed performance marquees such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

But in the land of the compact car, there are three brands that reign supreme over the rest. Here are the 2012 compact cars with the highest resale value according to KBB.com.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is a natural. For many years, car reviewers from all over the world have consistently given the Civic high marks in terms of performance, reliability, and fuel economy. Honda made sure that Civic buyers are never devoid of choice by introducing 5 Civic models for 2012, including the Civic CNG that runs on compressed natural gas. Prices start at $15,755 for the Civic Coupe and $24,000 for the Civic Hybrid.

The Honda Civic continues to provide modest amounts of interior and storage space with a user-friendly cabin. The engine and transmission combination is still best-in-class, even though newer models such as the Chevrolet Cruze and the Ford Focus offer better driving dynamics.

Estimated resale value for the Civic is at 56.5% for 36 months and 41% for 60 months, among the highest in the class.

Mini Cooper

The reincarnated Mini Cooper was designed and engineered by parent company BMW, which also means that the new Mini has more space, better handling, and is even made more practical and fun to drive. The Mini Cooper is also sold in a wide array of body styles including a coupe, convertible, and roadster version.

Prices for the Mini Cooper starts at $20,200. Funky and avant-garde styling also comes standard.

Estimated resale value for the Mini Cooper is at 54.3% for 36 months, and 39% for 60 months.

Scion xB

The Scion xB is hard to ignore, not only because of the low price, but it is also roomy, spacious, durable, and highly customizable. Since the Scion xB is owned by parent company Toyota, you can expect similar levels of durability and build quality in each Scion vehicle that you buy.

The Scion xB starts at around $17,000. Perceived resale value is 58% at 36 months and 39% at 60 months.

Looking for a cheap car lease? Choosing a new Mazda might be right for you. The Mazda brand is known for their quirky yet elegant looks, driving refinement, affordable price, and sporty ride.

If you are looking for a well-made car with distinguished looks and sharp handling, you better take a look at the latest Mazda lease deals for May 2012.

Mazda Mazda 3

Mazda dealers are currently offering low monthly lease rates for the 2012 Mazda3. Lease prices starts at only $185 per month for 36 months with around $2,000 due at lease signing.

You can also lease the new 2013 Mazda3 for as low as $224/month for 36 months with less than $2,000 due at lease signing.

Mazda Mazda6

The Mazda6 is one of the most talented sport sedans in the $20k budget range. Lease deals for the 2012 Mazda6 starts at $209 per month for 36 months.

You can also lease the new 2013 Mazda3 for as little as $249 per month for 36 months with less than $2,000 due at lease signing.

Mazda CX-5

Despite the onslaught of new crossover vehicles, the compact Mazda CX-5 manages to stand out from the rest with sporty styling, sharp steering, and a well composed ride.

Lease deals for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 starts at $239 per month for 36 months with around $3,000 due at lease signing.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

If you want an affordable roadster with rear-wheel drive, the Mazda MX-5 remains a wise choice.

Lease the new Mazda MX-5 starting at $249 per month for 24 months with only around $3,000 due at lease signing for the Miata sport with the manual transmission.

The Mazda MX-5 touring model starts with a lease price of around $339 per month for 24 months.

Mazda CX-9

If you want a 7-seat crossover SUV with that drives like a sporty car then look no further than the Mazda CX-9.

Lease the Mazda CX-9 starting at $309 per month for 36 months with around $3,000 due at lease signing.

New Mazda Incentives

Mazda dealers are now offering 0% APR financing for up to 60 months on the Mazda2, Mazda6, and Mazda CX-9.

You can also check out 0.9% APR offers for up to 36 months on the Mazda3 and Mazda CX-5.

Kelly Blue Book has been publishing their Official Residual Value Guide since 1981, and has helped American consumers find the top new cars with the highest estimated residual value since then.

Remember, you should carefully consider the estimated residual value of a new car, most especially if you are looking for a new car lease.

Leasing a car with a high residual value will give you lower monthly payments. This is because the lease price will be based on the negotiated selling price (or MSRP) along with the residual value. Simply put, a car that depreciates less will provide you with more savings on your new car lease.

Here are the top 10 cars with the highest residual value for 2012:

1. Jeep Wrangler

With a projected residual value of 68% after 36 months, the Jeep Wrangler is also one of the best and cheapest cars to lease, with lease prices starting at only $219/month.

2. Toyota FJ Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser is a robust off-road vehicle that has unique retro-styling cues, harking back to the original FJ40 Land Cruiser of the 1960’s. Resale value is estimated to be 67% after 36 months.

3.Toyota Tacoma

Toyota once again proves that the Tacoma is one of the best choices for a durable and reliable pickup truck. the Tacoma has an estimated residual value of 64% after36 months.

4. Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson is Hyundai’s entry into the compact SUV department. With gorgeous styling and a long warranty, the Tucson has an estimated residual value of 64.3% after 36 months.

5. Audi Q7

The Q7 is Audi’s first SUV, and it is a good one at that. It is sporty, stylish, and comes with Audi-levels of interior quality and refinement. The Q7 has an estimated residual value of 63.3% after 36 months.

6. Infiniti FX

If you happen to be searching for a sporty midsize SUV that drives like a true sports sedan, the Infiniti FX combines good looks with sure-footed handling. The Infiniti FX has an estimated residual value of 58% after 36 months.

7. Honda CR-V

It comes as no surprise that the CR-V is once again included in the list of cars with the highest residual value, which is estimated to be around 60.3% after 36 months.

8. Lexus RX

Whether buying new or used, the Lexus RX remains a solid choice. It is a highly desirable compact SUV, with a residual value that is estimated to be around 64% after 36 months.

9. Nissan Frontier

The Frontier utilizes a fully-boxed frame to deliver reliable performance. It also happens to be one of the cars with highest residual value, which is estimated to be 56.2% after 36 months.

10. Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro is a desirable sports car because it has the looks of a muscle car with the performance and refinement of a modern vehicle. Residual value is estimated to be 57% after 36 months.