The best new car lease deals for more than £400 per month

Version 1.5 35 TFSI Sport Sportback S Tronic | List price £31,355 | Initial payment £2404 | Monthly payment £401

If you’re considering a practical family car that’s sharp to drive, the Audi A3 is well worth a look. It’s available with a range of power options, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that can officially manage 88 miles on electric power alone. Nevertheless, our favourite is the 1.5 35 TFSI petrol engine, which helps the A3 sprint to 62mph in 8.4sec. Entry-level Sport trim has softer suspension than the rest of the range, which gives the A3 a smoother ride than the Mercedes A-Class. Even so, the A3 is impressively composed around bends, which combined with precise steering, makes it fun on twisty country roads.

While the BMW 1 Series uses plusher materials, the A3’s interior offers a great driving position. There’s also just enough room in the back for six-footers and a competitive 380-litre boot. Even in the cheapest Sport trim, the A3 is very well equipped, featuring heated front seats, three-zone climate control and a reversing camera.

Read our full Audi A3 review

Version 62.5kWh Rear Wheel Drive | List price £37,990 | Initial payment £2476 | Monthly payment £413

It’s no wonder why the Tesla Model 3 is among the best selling electric cars. Even the entry-level Rear Wheel Drive version is quick, reaching 62mph in 6.2sec; faster than the cheapest Hyundai Ioniq 6. Its 332-mile official range is a slight improvement over the cheapest BYD Seal, although the equivalent Polestar 2 goes further still. Precise steering and plenty of grip make the Model 3 feel particularly agile around corners, and there’s only a small amount of audible wind noise at motorway speeds. The Volkswagen ID 7 doesn’t feel quite as fidgety around town, though.

The Model 3’s interior is plush and has plenty of rear leg and head room. And while we’d prefer a wider, hatchback-style opening like you get in the ID 7, the Model 3’s boot and under-bonnet storage compartment are spacious enough to store an impressive nine carry-on suitcases. As standard, every Model 3 features heated front seats, a panoramic glass roof and a 360-degree parking camera.

Read our full Tesla Model 3 review

Version 2.0 TSI GTI DSG | List price £41,860 | Initial payment £2489 | Monthly payment £415

Half a century on from the launch of the original version, there’s still a lot to like about the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, it can sprint from 0-62mph in a more-than-healthy 5.9sec; about the same as the Cupra Leon VZ. What’s more, the Golf GTI feels confidence-inspiring around fast corners, and even without the optional adaptive suspension setup fitted, feels comfortable by hot hatchback standards. What’s more, there’s very little audible wind noise, and less tyre noise than you’ll encounter in a Mercedes AMG A45. 

The Golf GTI’s interior offers a comfortable driving position and plenty of space for front occupants to stretch out on a long journey. And while the A45 has more in the way of rear passenger space, the Golf GTI’s 374-litre boot is competitive and comes with a height-adjustable floor as standard. Other goodies include heated front seats, three-zone climate control and keyless entry.

Read our full Volkswagen Golf GTI review

Version 52kWh GT Performance+ | List price £32,745 | Initial payment £2517 | Monthly payment £420

Put simply, the Alpine A290 combines the low running costs of an electric car with the driving thrills of a hot hatchback. Closely related to the Renault 5, the mid-range A290 GT Performance+ uses a 217bhp electric motor to reach 62mph in 6.4sec. That’s quicker than the Abarth 500e, although the Mini Cooper Electric JCW is faster still. There’s little in the way of body lean and plenty of front end grip to inspire confidence on twisty roads, and the ride is more comfortable than the Cooper Electric JCW’s. An official range of 236 miles isn’t quite as good as the Cooper Electric JCW, though.

Like the R5, the A290’s interior is sturdy and has user-friendly physical controls. Six-footers will feel comfortable in the front, although there’s limited rear leg and head room. At 326 litres, the A290’s boot is bigger than the Cooper Electric JCWs, though. In GT Performance+ trim, the A290 comes with heated front seats, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry.

Read our full Alpine A290 review

Version 82kWh 85x SportLine | List price £49,270 | Initial payment £2566 | Monthly payment £428

Despite managing to undercut many of its family electric SUV rivals, including the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y, the Skoda Enyaq is a surprisingly well-equipped car. Even the entry-level SE L version comes with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and keyless entry. There’s also plenty of space for six-footers in the back, and the 585-litre boot is bigger than the Volkswagen ID 4’s.

The Enyaq is available with two power options, with the more expensive 85 version featuring 282bhp. Accelerating from 0-62mph in 6.5sec, it’s quicker than the equivalent EV6. However, the Elroq 85’s official range of 359 miles is less than the Model Y Long Range RWD’s. Fortunately, the Enyaq’s soft suspension makes it one of the smoothest family electric SUVs around without creating too much body lean around tight bends. It’s also exceptionally quiet, with very little road noise or motor whine at motorway speeds.

Read our full Skoda Enyaq review

Version Standard Range 51.5kWh Essential Passenger | List price £32,205 | Initial payment £2787 | Monthly payment £465

The Kia PV5 goes to show that electric MPVs can still be as enjoyable to own as they are practical. At 1320 litres, it has more boot space than any other car on the market; enough to store 16 carry-on suitcases in our tests. What’s more, even the tallest passengers will have enough leg and head room in the back. Nevertheless, unlike the Volkswagen ID Buzz, the PV5 isn’t available as a seven-seater just yet.

Two versions of the PV5 are available, with the entry-level Standard Range featuring a 120bhp electric motor to reach 62mph in a respectable 12.8sec. Even so, the 183-mile official range isn’t as good as the Peugeot e-Traveller’s. While no MPV was designed for agile handling, the PV5 benefits from steering that’s predictable enough to build confidence on twisty roads, yet light enough to be easy to manoeuvre around town. Reasonably soft suspension also gives the PV5 a smoother ride than the ID Buzz. 

Read our full Kia PV5 review

Version 1.5 220i MHT M Sport DCT | List price £36,570 | Initial payment £3335 | Monthly payment £556

Think of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé as the bigger, more mature brother of the closely-related BMW 1 Series. Both cars offer three petrol engines, with the cheapest 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit getting the 2 Series Gran Coupé to 62mph in 7.9sec. That’s quicker than the equivalent Audi A3 or Mazda 3 Saloon. It’s also an economical option, officially managing up to 53.3mpg. Every 2 Series Gran Coupé has adaptive suspension as standard, which offers a reasonably comfortable ride while resisting body lean. Its steering is light and precise, too.

The 2 Series Gran Coupé’s interior feels sturdy and generally plush, although a lack of physical controls means it's not the most user-friendly. There’s plenty of leg room all round, although the sweeping roofline means rear passengers will be short on head room. The 360-litre boot is bigger than the 1 Series’, although the A3 Saloon has even more luggage room.

Read our full BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé review

Version 2.0 B4 MHEV Ultra DCT | List price £49,810 | Initial payment £3590 | Monthly payment £599

If standard equipment is a key priority for you, the Volvo V60 should be high up on your shortlist. Even the entry-level Plus version comes with 19in alloy wheels, a wireless phone charger, four-zone climate control, and heated front and rear seats. Front and rear passengers alike benefit from plenty of leg and head room, and the 519-litre boot is bigger than what you’ll find in a BMW 3 Series Touring or Mercedes C-Class Estate.

The V60 is available with a range of mild hybrid (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power options. The cheapest V60 – called the B4 – uses a 2.0-litre petrol MHEV setup to reach 62mph in a respectable 7.6sec. A compliant ride and lack of road and engine noise make the V60 a particularly capable motorway cruiser. And while the 3 Series Touring is more agile on twisty roads, the V60 still feels predictable enough to corner with confidence.

Read our full Volvo V60 review

Version 2.0 D200 MHEV S Auto 4WD | List price £45,485 | Initial payment £4408 | Monthly payment £735

The Range Rover Evoque is a small SUV that doesn’t just look posh, but feels it. That’s thanks in part to how much kit you get for your money, with entry-level S trim featuring electrically-adjustable and heated front seats, a 360-degree parking camera and dual-zone climate control. What’s more, the Evoque’s interior feels plush and has notably more rear leg room than the Lexus LBX. The Audi Q2 and Volkswagen T-Roc have bigger boots, though.

You can buy an Evoque as a petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid (PHEV), with the 2.0-litre diesel engine (called the D200) offering a good blend for most buyers. This version accelerates from 0-62mph in a healthy 7.9sec while still officially managing a reasonable 43.9mpg. Whatever setup you choose, the Evoque is among the most comfortable small SUVs, soaking up large bumps without losing composure. And while the Porsche Macan leans less around bends, precise steering and plenty of grip make the Evoque a keen handler.

Read our full Range Rover Evoque review

Version 110kWh Premium | List price £64,995 | Initial payment £4845 | Monthly payment £808

Following in the footsteps of the petrol-powered Hyundai Santa Fe, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 offers exceptional levels of space. There’s more room for adults in the third row than you’ll find in the Peugeot e-5008, and even with all seven seats in place there’s still enough luggage space for a weekly shop. What’s more, there’s up to 88 litres of further storage under the bonnet. The Ioniq 9 isn’t short on equipment either, with all versions featuring heated front and rear seats, a wireless phone charger and an automatic tailgate.

The cheapest Ioniq 9 Premium has a 215bhp electric motor, sprinting from 0-62mph in a respectable – if not class-leading – 9.4sec. Mated with a massive 106kWh (usable capacity) battery, the Ioniq 9 can officially cover 385 miles; more than any Kia EV9 can manage. Despite the Ioniq 9’s size, its light and precise steering makes it easy to drive around town, and has a generally comfortable ride.

Read our full Hyundai Ioniq 9 review

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Next: Everything you need to know about car leasing >>