Toyota Yaris Cross financing varies widely

A study comparing financing options for the Toyota Yaris Cross found that prices and terms differ significantly between dealerships, challenging the idea that certain methods are always the most economical. The Toyota Yaris Cross, a small SUV launched five years ago, has been popular in France, with over 200,000 units produced in 2025 for the European market.

Dealerships offer different lease and loan terms

The study compared two dealerships, one of which refused to provide a lease simulation despite the manufacturer’s website promoting long-term leasing. The other dealership provided seven quotes, including three lease options. The total cost for the same vehicle varied greatly depending on the dealership and the time of the quote.

Lease and loan costs differ by nearly 4,500 euros

For a 3-year lease with purchase option (LOA), the offers from the two dealerships differed by almost 4,500 euros. Dealership B’s higher vehicle price and less favorable financing terms made its LOA more expensive. However, a loan from dealership B was cheaper than its LOA by nearly 3,500 euros. Dealership A’s LOA was slightly more economical than its loan, but the loan had a high interest rate of nearly 9%, far above the market average of around 6%.

Longer-term costs shift depending on financing choice

Over a 5-year period, the LOA from dealership A was more economical than its loan by over 1,000 euros. Meanwhile, the loan from dealership B was cheaper than its LOA. The results suggest that LOAs are better for keeping the car long-term, while loans are more beneficial if the car is returned at the end of the lease period.

Lease prices fluctuate significantly

The study noted that lease prices at dealership A changed by 900 euros over a 15-day period. A 3,000 euro down payment only reduced the total cost by 300 euros, showing limited financial benefit from such payments.

Shopping around and careful comparison is advised

The findings emphasize the need for consumers to compare offers from multiple dealers in different regions and be careful about the vehicle price set by the seller. Given Toyota’s high loan rates, seeking a bank or financial institution offering a lower rate, such as 6%, could be more advantageous. Buyers should also be cautious about the purchase option in LOAs, as a lower purchase price can lead to higher overall costs.