Minimum credit score to lease
Captive lenders (Toyota Financial, Honda Financial, etc.) typically require 620-650 minimum. Below that, you'll be routed to a third-party leasing company at much higher cost.
How bad credit affects payment
Each credit tier below Tier 1 typically adds 0.0005-0.001 to the money factor — roughly equivalent to 1.2%-2.4% APR. On a $30,000 vehicle, that's $25-$60 more per month.
Brands that work with lower credit
Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, and domestic captives (Ford, GM) generally have more flexible credit tiers than luxury brands. Volkswagen Credit is also known for flexibility.
Strategies to improve approval odds
Add a co-signer with strong credit, increase your down payment, choose a less-expensive vehicle, or wait 3-6 months while improving your score.