If you shop around and plan to only own a car 2-3 years you can pay significantly less but it’s definitely uncommon. I currently lease an R1T (Rivian truck) for about half the monthly cost of purchasing it and my three year lease is up this December and I won’t be leasing it again,I had zero interest in purchasing a first gen electric so it worked out for me. Leasing isn’t inherently bad but it’s often exploited by companies and used exactly as you described.
If you shop around and plan to only own a car 2-3 years you can pay significantly less but it’s definitely uncommon. I currently lease an R1T (Rivian truck) for about half the monthly cost of purchasing it and my three year lease is up this December and I won’t be leasing it again,I had zero interest in purchasing a first gen electric so it worked out for me. Leasing isn’t inherently bad but it’s often exploited by companies and used exactly as you described.