What 'zero down' actually means
Manufacturers advertise 'zero down' to mean no down payment toward the cap cost. You'll still owe DMV fees, taxes, the acquisition fee ($595-$995), and first month — typically $700-$1,500 total.
How payments change with $0 down
Rolling the down payment into the monthly payment adds roughly $30-$100/mo on a 36-month lease. Often worth it if you'd rather keep cash on hand.
Brands frequently offering true $0 down
BMW, Audi, and Mercedes regularly run sign-and-drive promotions. Hyundai/Kia run frequent 'first month + DMV only' specials.