The best new car lease deals

Version 1.2 MHEV Motion | List price £19,999 | Initial payment £1304 | Monthly payment £218

The Suzuki Swift goes to show that small cars can still be ‘cheap and cheerful’. Its light weight means it’s more agile than the Dacia Sandero which, combined with precise steering and limited body lean, means the Swift is entertaining on twisty country roads. Every Swift uses a 1.2-litre petrol engine with mild hybrid assistance for respectable performance, particularly around town. This setup also officially helps the Swift achieve an impressive 64.2mpg, which is more than the MG3 can manage.

Despite its low price, the Swift’s interior looks attractive, and features user-friendly physical controls for the air conditioning. The Swift also offers impressive all-round visibility. Front passengers get plenty of room to stretch out on long journeys, there’s more rear passenger room and boot space in the Sandero. The Swift certainly isn’t short on standard kit, though, with entry-level Motion trim featuring 16in alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and a reversing camera.

Read our in-depth Suzuki Swift review >>

Version Extended Range 54kWh MAX | List price £25,515 | Initial payment £1368 | Monthly payment £228

If space and value are key priorities for your next car, the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross should be at the top of your short list. There’s enough leg and head room in the back for six-footers, and a good amount of interior storage compartments. What’s more, the ë-C3 Aircross’s 460-litre boot is bigger than the Jeep Avenger Electric’s by a considerable margin. In top-spec Max trim, the ë-C3 Aircross is well-equipped, with standard features including keyless entry, automatic air conditioning and heated front seats.

The ë-C3 Aircross puts more emphasis on comfort rather than performance. So while the Avenger Electric takes less time to accelerate to 62mph, the ë-C3 Aircross does a better job at soaking up large bumps. It’s also very controlled, with little side-to-side sway on patchy surfaces. Two battery options are available, with the larger ‘Extended Range’ option officially capable of managing 249 miles between charges, which is about the same as the Renault 4.

Read our in-depth Citroën ë-C3 Aircross review >>

Version Comfort Range 52kWh Evolution+ | List price £23,445 | Initial payment £1449 | Monthly payment £242

It might have been inspired by the 1960s original, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about the latest Renault 4. Every R4 has a 148bhp electric motor, reaching 62mph in a respectable 8.2sec. What’s more, a lack of body lean, precise steering and plenty of grip all help the R4 to feel more agile than the Kia EV3 on twisty country roads. With a 52kWh (usable capacity) battery, the R4 can officially cover 245 miles between charges, which is competitive by small electric SUV standards.

Despite being one of the cheapest models in its segment, the R4’s interior feels plush and intuitive. And while the EV3 offers more space in the back for six-footers, the R4’s luggage carrying skills are impressive. At 375 litres, the boot is bigger than the Jeep Avenger Electric’s, and there’s an additional 36 litres of storage space underneath. As standard, the entry-level R4 Evolution+ features climate control, automatic headlights, and wipers and keyless entry.

Read our in-depth Renault 4 review >>

Version 1.0 TSI 95 Match | List price £26,275 | Initial payment £1478 | Monthly payment £247

Sit inside the Volkswagen T-Cross and it’s easy to see why it's one of our favourite small SUVs. You see, its interior is supremely versatile, with all T-Cross’s featuring sliding rear seats, meaning you can prioritise rear leg room or boot space. With the bench slid back, there’s more room for six-footers than in the Ford Puma, and there’s still a respectable 385 litres of boot space (down from 455 litres with the bench slid forward). In mid-spec Match trim, the T-Cross is fitted with a reversing camera, keyless entry and rear privacy glass.

Three engine options are available, with the cheapest 1.0 TSI 95 petrol engine reaching 62mph in about 11 seconds. The T-Cross’s light yet precise steering and lack of body lean make it competent around town and on fast-moving country roads alike. Avoid the biggest 18in set of wheels and the T-Cross has a smoother ride than the Nissan Juke, too.

Read our in-depth Volkswagen T-Cross review >>

Version 40kWh Engage | List price £21,495 | Initial payment £1538 | Monthly payment £257

The Nissan Micra shares the same advantages of our former What Car? Car of the Year winner the Renault 5 but often costs slightly less to lease. That’s great news because it’s one of the most entertaining small cars to drive, featuring accurate steering and plenty of grip around bends. Every Micra has good performance, and does a better job of soaking up bumps than the Mini Cooper Electric. Two battery options are available, with the smaller 40kWh (usable capacity) pack able to cover 198 miles; about the same as the Citroën ë-C3 Standard Range.

Inside, the Micra feels a cut above most small electric cars thanks to its attractive design and intuitive physical buttons. There’s lots of room for passengers in the front, and – while there are small cars with more rear leg room – the Micra’s 326-litre boot is competitive. In entry-level Engage trim, the Micra comes with automatic air conditioning, rear parking sensors and keyless entry.

Read our in-depth Nissan Micra review >>

Version 1.0 TSI 115 Monte Carlo Edition | List price £30,780 | Initial payment £1625 | Monthly payment £271

The Skoda Kamiq is certainly a case of getting ‘more for your money’. While it’s priced at the cheaper end of the small SUV segment, it’s incredibly spacious. There’s more rear passenger room than the Ford Puma offers, and enough boot space for seven carry-on suitcases. What’s more, the Kamiq comes packed with standard kit, with the range-topping Monte Carlo Edition featuring keyless entry, a reversing camera and a panoramic glass roof.

You can choose from a range of engines, including a pair of 1.0-litre petrol units. With the larger of the two fitted, the Kamiq can accelerate to 62mph in a respectable 9.7sec and officially return about 50mpg. The Kamiq is also among the most comfortable small SUVs around, particularly if you choose Monte Carlo Edition trim, which comes with adapted suspension that can be stiffened or softened. This also helps the Kamiq resist body lean around corners better than the Renault Captur.

Read our in-depth Skoda Kamiq review >>

Version 1.3 DIG-T Accenta Premium | List price £30,635 | Initial payment £1702 | Monthly payment £284

The Nissan Qashqai practically launched the family SUV trend, so it’s no surprise that it’s regularly one of the UK’s best-selling new cars. One reason why it remains so popular is value for money, with the entry-level Accenta Premium trim featuring dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and keyless entry. You also get enough rear leg and head room for a pair of six-footers and a respectable 504-litre boot.

Three engines are available, with cheaper Qashqais using a 1.3-litre petrol engine with mild hybrid assistance. Reaching 62mph in 10.2sec, it’s quicker than the equivalent Seat Ateca. Stick with the smaller 17in or 18in sets of alloy wheels and the Qashqai rides smoothly. And while there’s slightly more body lean than you’ll encounter in the Ateca, the Qashqai still feels composed around fast bends. It’s also a refined motorway cruiser, producing very little wind or road noise, and less engine noise than the Ateca.

Read our in-depth Nissan Qashqai review >>

Version 1.0 TCe Expression | List price £20,295 | Initial payment £1738 | Monthly payment £290

The Dacia Jogger proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to fit seven people in one car. Average-sized adults sitting in the second and third rows will have a comfortable amount of leg and head room. Fold down the rearmost row and you also get a competitively sized boot. As long as you avoid the entry-level Essential trim, the Jogger’s interior feels more upmarket than the Vauxhall Frontera’s, and features intuitive physical controls. And don’t let the Jogger’s low price fool you, it’s far from sparsely equipped. Mid-spec Expression trim comes with a reversing camera, keyless entry and automatic air conditioning.

Cheaper Joggers use a 1.0-litre petrol engine that helps it to accelerate from 0-62mph in 11.2sec; slightly faster than the Citroën C3 Aircross. The Jogger’s soft suspension soaks up bumps without causing too much lean around the corners. Paired with a good amount of grip, it’s more composed on twisty roads than the Frontera. 

Read our in-depth Dacia Jogger review >>

Version 1.8 VVT-h Icon | List price £32,195 | Initial payment £1956 | Monthly payment £326

There’s no doubt why the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports is popular among taxi drivers. In addition to its great reliability record, the Corolla Touring Sports has exceptionally low running costs, with the 1.8-litre petrol full hybrid setup found in cheaper models officially averaging 57.6mpg. Sprinting to 62mph in 9.4sec, it’s also quicker off the mark than the equivalent Seat Leon Estate, and its softer suspension does a better job of soaking up bumps. A tight turning circle also makes it incredibly manoeuvrable in the city.

In addition to feeling sturdier than the Peugeot 308 SW’s, the Corolla Touring Sports’ interior has plenty of rear leg and head room. At 596 litres (or 581 litres if you choose the more powerful 2.0-litre full hybrid option), the Corolla Touring Sports’ boot is competitive and has an adjustable floor as standard. Other kit included in entry-level Icon trim includes dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and heated front seats.

Read our in-depth Toyota Corolla Touring Sports review >>

Version 1.5 TSI eHybrid Match DSG | List price £43,740 | Initial payment £2223 | Monthly payment £371

The Volkswagen Passat has changed considerably since the original version launched in the 1970s. The latest (and largest) version is available exclusively as an estate car, and a practical one at that. At 510 litres in the eHybrid version, the Passat’s boot is bigger than the equivalent Mercedes E Class Estate’s. What’s more, the Passat’s plush interior also has plenty of room for six-footers to get comfortable in the back, not to mention a competitive kit list. In modest Match trim, this includes a reversing camera, keyless entry and three-zone climate control.

A range of power options are available, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which is badged the eHybrid. With this setup, the Passat is more than powerful enough for most scenarios, and its official EV range of 81 miles beats the equivalent BMW 3 Series Touring’s. On the motorway, the Passat has a smooth ride and produces very little audible road or wind noise.

Read our in-depth Volkswagen Passat review >>

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