Best lease car deals for less than £400 per month

Version 1.2 PureTech Style | List price £20,510 | Initial payment £1257 | Monthly payment £210

The Peugeot 208 is among the cheapest new cars you can lease, but that’s not to say you’re short changed on features. As standard, entry-level Style comes with climate control, keyless go and rear parking sensors. The 208 also features one of the classiest interiors in a small car, which feels sturdy and reasonably plush. There’s plenty of space in the front of the 208, although the Volkswagen Polo offers more room in the back. The 208’s 309-litre boot is competitive by small car standards, though.

Although a range of power options are available (including the electric Peugeot e-208), the cheapest 208s use a 1.2-litre petrol engine that makes 99bhp. Reaching 62mph in 10.1sec, it’s quicker off the mark than the equivalent Renault Clio, yet still officially manages an impressive 54.3mpg. While the 208 isn’t the most agile small car, it offers a smoother ride than the more expensive Audi A1.

Read our full Peugeot 208 review >>

Version Extended Range 54kWh MAX | List price £26,995 | Initial payment £1343 | Monthly payment £224

If space and value for money are among your highest priorities when buying a new car, the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross should be high up on your shortlist. There’s enough leg and head room for six-footers in the back, and the 460-litre boot is bigger than the Jeep Avenger Electric’s. And while the ë-C3 Aircross’s interior isn’t particularly plush or vibrant, it’s intuitive and full of features. As standard, the top-spec MAX comes with heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a wireless phone charger.

Two battery options are available, with the larger 53.5kWh (usable capacity) ‘Extended Range’ version officially capable of covering 248 miles. That’s about the same as the Ford Puma Gen-E and Renault 4, although the Kia EV3 Standard Range can travel further still. While the ë-C3 Aircross isn’t the most agile small electric SUV, it offers a more comfortable ride than the BYD Atto 2 or Vauxhall Frontera Electric.

Read our full Citroen ë-C3 Aircross review >>

Version 1.0 T-GDi Black Line DCT | List price £24,210 | Initial payment £1444 | Monthly payment £241

Even with the sporty i20N version off sale, the Hyundai i20 is a surprisingly entertaining small car to drive. Every i20 comes with a 1.0-litre petrol engine that makes 89bhp. Sprinting from 0-62mph in 11.5sec, the i20 isn’t quite as quick as the Seat Ibiza or Skoda Fabia, although a limited body lean and precise steering make the i20 a boon on twisty country roads. Stiff suspension does mean that the i20 isn’t as smooth over bumps as a Fabia, though.

Despite not feeling as plush as the Audi A1 or Peugeot 208, the i20’s interior has enough space for two six-footers in the back. What’s more, the 352-litre boot is about the same as you’ll find in the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, and features a height-adjustable floor. In mid-spec Black Line trim, the i20 comes as standard with a reversing camera, heated front seats and rear privacy glass. 

Read our full Hyundai i20 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 features a 148bhp electric motor, reaching 62mph in 8.1sec, which is swifter than the Peugeot e-2008, but the Ford Puma Gen-E and Kia EV3 are quicker still. With a 52kWh (usable capacity) battery, the R4 can officially cover 245 miles between charges, which is competitive by small electric SUV standards. While the R4 has a slightly fidgety ride around town, it’s calmer than a Puma at motorway speeds. Moreover, precise steering and a good amount of grip make the R4 composed around tight bends.

While the BYD Atto 2 offers more rear passenger space, the R4’s 375-litre boot is more spacious than what you’ll find in the Jeep Avenger Electric or Volvo EX30. There’s also a 36-litre storage compartment underneath. As standard, the entry-level R4 Evolution features climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, and keyless entry. 

Read our full Renault 4 review >>

Version 1.5h Icon | List price £21,645 | Initial payment £1562 | Monthly payment £261

The Toyota Aygo X is not only cheap to lease, it’s also just as inexpensive to run. Featuring the same 1.5-litre full hybrid setup as the larger Toyota Yaris, the Aygo X can officially manage up to 74.3mpg. Even so, accelerating from 0-62mph in 9.2sec, it’s quicker off the mark than the Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto and Renault Clio. Diminutive dimensions and a tight turning circle make the Aygo X easy to drive in the city. What’s more, on faster roads, the Aygo X benefits from well-weighted steering and a lack of body lean around bends. 

There’s plenty of room for front passengers to stretch out in the Aygo X, although there’s less rear passenger and boot space than you get in the i10 or Picanto. Nevertheless, the Aygo X does come with a reasonable amount of standard kit. In entry-level Icon form, this includes 17in alloy wheels, automatic headlights, air conditioning and cruise control.

Read our full Toyota Aygo X review >>

Version 1.0 TSI 116 Monte Carlo Edition | List price £30,780 | Initial payment £1617 | Monthly payment £270

The Skoda Kamiq might not be the most striking small SUV around but there’s no denying that it offers good practicality. There’s more leg room in the back than you get in the Ford Puma, Lexus LBX and Volkswagen T-Roc, and plenty of head room – even with the panoramic glass roof fitted. The 400-litre boot is also bigger than most rivals, offering enough space for seven carry-on suitcases in our tests. What’s more, in top-spec Monte Carlo Edition trim, the Kamiq is loaded with goodies, including 18in black alloy wheels, a wireless phone charger and a heated steering wheel.

The Kamiq is one of the smoothest small SUVs around, proving more comfortable than the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. Nevertheless, there’s little body lean around tight bends. Three engine options are available, with the 1.0 TSI 116 being our favourite. Making 113bhp, it helps the Kamiq reach 62mph in 9.7sec; about the same as an equivalent Puma. 

Read our full Skoda Kamiq review >>

Version 1.3 DIG-T 158 MHEV Accenta Premium | List price £32,955 | Initial payment £1645 | Monthly payment £275

The Nissan Qashqai is regularly among the UK’s best-selling new cars, and for good reason. For starters, it’s well-equipped, with entry-level Acenta Premium versions featuring a reversing camera, keyless go and dual-zone climate control. There’s also enough space in the back for six-footers, although the rear seats don’t slide like they do in the Skoda Karoq. At up to 504 litres, the Qashqai’s boot is about the same as the Seat Ateca’s, although the Kia Sportage has even more room to spare.

The Qashqai isn’t lacking in engine options, though, with the mid-range 1.3 DIG-T 158 option making 156bhp. That’s enough to reach 62mph in a respectable 10.2sec; quicker than the Ateca, although the equivalent Sportage and Karoq are faster still. The Qashqai isn’t the most engaging SUV to drive but stays composed on twisty country roads. Avoid the larger wheel options and the Qashqai’s ride is also reasonably comfortable.

Read our full Nissan Qashqai review >>

Version 1.8 VVT-h Icon | List price £32,195 | Initial payment £1974 | Monthly payment £329

SUVs might be more popular in the sales charts, but the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports goes to show that estate cars can still be just as versatile. Two full hybrid power options are available, with the cheaper 1.8-litre option offering enough power to reach 62mph in 9.4sec. That’s quicker than the cheapest Seat Leon Estate or Skoda Octavia Estate. Around town, the Corolla Touring Sports benefits from a tight turning circle and a smooth ride. However, it’s not as agile as a Leon Estate at faster speeds.

While the Corolla Touring Sport’s interior isn’t exactly vibrant, it feels sturdy and more plush than the Peugeot 308 SW’s. Tall adults will be comfortable in the front or rear, and the 596-litre boot is practical; even if an Octavia Estate has even more space. As standard, the entry-level Corolla Touring Sports Icon comes with adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control and heated front seats.

Read our full Toyota Corolla Touring Sports review >>

Version 76kWh Pro | List price £39,800 | Initial payment £2128 | Monthly payment £355

While Smart is best known for its small cars, the #5 offers plenty of appeal. Tall adults will feel comfortable sitting in the back – thanks in part to standard reclining rear seats – and enough boot space to stow nine carry-on suitcases. It’s not short of standard kit either, with the entry-level Pro version featuring dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, heated front seats and a panoramic glass roof.

A range of power options are available, although the entry-level 335bhp option will be powerful enough for most buyers. Accelerating from 0-62mph in 6.9sec, it’s about as quick as the cheapest Tesla Model Y. This version also comes with a 74.4kWh (usable capacity) battery for a respectable official range of 288 miles; better than a Skoda Enyaq 70, although the cheapest Model Y goes further still. Soft suspension gives the #5 a smoother ride than the MG S6, although results in some body lean on twisty roads. 

Read our full Smart #5 review >>

Version 82.5kWh Design | List price £45,730 | Initial payment £2152 | Monthly payment £359

It might not be as popular as the Tesla Model 3, but the BYD Seal offers a lot to like. Two versions are available, with the cheapest Design featuring a 309bhp motor. Sprinting to 60mph in 6.1sec in our tests, it’s quicker than the equivalent Model 3. Every Seal comes with an 82.5kWh (usable capacity) battery to officially cover 354 miles. That’s more than the cheapest BMW i4 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 can manage. Despite fidgeting over the bumps more than the Volkswagen ID 7, the Seal soaks up potholes well. Numb steering takes the fun out of fast bends, though.

There’s plenty of room in the front of the Seal, although less rear space than the ID 7 has. Similarly, the Seal’s 400-litre boot is smaller than the Model 3’s. Nevertheless, the entry-level Seal Design comes packed with standard kit, including heated and ventilated front seats, keyless entry and a 12-speaker sound system.

Read our full BYD Seal review >>

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