Trying to make a short list Honda, Toyota, Subaru or?

Your options are going to be pretty limited. Most "lease returns" are actually rental program cars so virtually all will be automatics. This rules out Subaru and Toyota unless you want to fool with a lube pump. As newer models come out, four down options are getting fewer and fewer. If I were shopping for a new toad out of those three, I'd opt for a manual transmission Subaru but you probably won't find one in a lease return.