I lease a pickup truck as a business expense. I've been doing this for 23 years now. The first couple of leases was a learning experience but now I've got the process down cold. I'll just say the advertised prices you see are just a starting point. If you have excellent credit you can do much better than the advertised monthly payment.
Leasing is not cost efficient, but it sure is hassle-free efficient. No repair worries for 36 months (never lease a vehicle for longer then the warranty period.) Probably 5 oil changes (get them thrown in as freebies when you make the deal) several tire rotations, and a set of wiper blades is about all the maintenance you need to do.
You get the latest electronics, latest safety items, increased fuel economy, etc. etc.
With a lease you are basically driving the depreciation of the vehicle (the "residual value factor"). Consider the cash outlay of a 2 or 3 year old car. $20,000 to $25,000? I'd rather have that money invested in something, earning me money and just pay for the depreciation with a lease.
I like having the latest stuff, the best safety equipment, and no repair hassles so much that my wife has started leasing as well. I figure it costs about $500 to $600 more than buying the same car over the 36 month lease. That is, after 36 months you would be out about $500 more than if you had bought the car and kept it. To me, it's worth it.
My wife has a 2016 Dodge Charger SXT all wheel drive that she pays $257 a month. It's got some nice equipment too--leather and ventilated seats, memory seats, climate control, remote start, etc. Nothing was paid down, nothing came out of pocket, not even tax and license. A true "zero down" lease. Sign the papers and take the key fob.
So yes, leasing costs more. But the peace of mind and getting a new car every three years is worth it to me. YOLO.