The cheapest car lease deals available today
Car leasing is one of the most convenient ways to enjoy a new car. Here are the cheapest leasing deals around...
The simplest way to think of leasing is in terms of a long-term rental. You pay an upfront deposit, followed by monthly payments before handing the car back at the end.
There are many advantages to car leasing, not least because in many cases it can be cheaper than using other kinds of finance, such as PCP or HP. And it means you don't need to worry about depreciation — the value a car loses over time — because you'll never actually own the car.
As with any kind of finance arrangement, you should think carefully about the best option for you, because while car leasing suits a huge number of people, its suitability will ultimately come down to your personal set of circumstances. If you're not sure, or want to find out more, then read our what is car leasing feature.
But if you think car leasing is the right move for you, then you'll have a wide selection of new cars to choose from. Indeed, if you can think of a car that’s possible to buy new, the chances are you’ll also be able to lease it. Here are the top 10 cheapest car lease deals that are available right now, and we’ve provided the links so you can take the next steps and order the cars online.
Note: in order to make the deals comparable, they’re based around paying six months rental up front, over 36 months, and with a mileage limit of 10,000 miles per year. The precise amount you’ll pay could change depending on your circumstances and your desired colour and interior options.
Prices correct at time of writing.
Our pick: 1.0 TSI 115 SE Technology 5dr DSG
Strengths
- Tidy handling
- Roomier than many rivals
- Reasonably well equipped
Weaknesses
- So-so interior quality
- Top trims are too pricey
- Depreciates quickly
Model 1.0 TSI FR Limited Edition DSG | Monthly rental £242.73 | Initial payment £1,456.38 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
There’s no shortage of good small SUVs on the market, and yet the Seat Arona still makes a very strong case for itself, despite some very keen prices.
It’s good to drive and has plenty of space for a couple or a small family – although the Ford Puma is more fun and the Skoda Kamiq is more spacious, but both cost significantly more. The 1.0 TSI 115 engine is our pick of the range – and it’s the lease deal highlighted here – because it feels energetic and is well matched to the fast-shifting automatic gearbox.
The keenest leasing deal is for the Arona in sporty FR Limited Edition trim, which features front park sensors, a rear-view camera, parking assist, 18in alloy wheels and firm sports suspension. Our preferred SE Technology trim is a bit more comfy though.
Seat Arona lease deals
Read our in-depth Seat Arona review
Strengths
- Loads of standard luxury and safety kit
- Sprightly performance
- Decent to drive
Weaknesses
- Patchy interior quality
- Fiddly controls
- Tesla Model 3 can use a better charging network
Model Pro 58kWh Match | Monthly rental £272.10 | Initial payment £1,632.60 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
The Golf-sized Volkswagen ID 3 is the mainstay of VW’s electric car range, and with good reason: it’s comfortable and good to drive – if a little too expensive. However, some eye-catching deals go an awfully long way to countering that.
We think the Pro Match model, which is coincidentally attracts the keenest leasing prices, is the sweet spot in the ID 3 range, because it feels the most fleet of foot, and even though it has the smallest battery in the line-up, it can still travel 269 miles under official figures – more than enough for many drivers.
The Match trim provides all the kit you could reasonably expect for a family hatchback, including 18in alloy wheels, wireless phone charging, dual-zone air conditioning and heated front seats.
Volkswagen ID 3 lease deals
Read our in-depth Volkswagen ID 3 review
Strengths
- Great fun to drive
- Remarkable blend of performance and fuel economy
- Big and cleverly designed boot
Weaknesses
- Rear space is adequate rather than outstanding
- Visibility could be better
- Volkswagen T-Roc is more comfortable and quieter
Model 1.0T EcoBoost MHEV ST-Line | Monthly rental £307.91 | Initial payment £1,847.46 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
The Ford Puma was named What Car? Car of the Year in 2020, and remains one of the best-selling cars in the UK. There are many things about it to like, but what really sets it apart is how good it is to drive. In fact, you’ll have to spend a lot of money on a far bigger SUV to have more fun.
Despite that, it has relatively low CO2 emissions and impressive real-world fuel economy. It’s fairly practical, too, with a large and cleverly-designed boot offsetting so-so space in the rear seats. Similarly, rear parking sensors and a camera compensate for limited rear visibility.
Our favourite trim is ST-Line, because is augments the impressive kit list of the entry-level Titanium – automatic LED headlights, cruise control, a 12.8in digital instrument cluster and automatic climate control – with sportier styling, sports seats and sports suspension.
Ford Puma lease deals
Read our in-depth Ford Puma review
Our pick: 150kW V1 58kWh 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Good range between charges
- Relatively fun handling
- Quiet cruising manners
Weaknesses
- Much pricier than an MG4
- Awful touch-sensitive dashboard buttons
- Slightly firmer ride than a VW ID 3
Model e-Boost 59kWh V1 | Monthly rental £292.75 | Initial payment £1756.50 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
Not only does the Cupra Born look more racy than the VW ID 3 on which it’s based, but it feels a whole lot more sporty, too. In fact, it’s one of the better electric cars to drive, if you exclude the likes of electric hot hatches such as the very focussed and pricey Hyundai i30 N.
The Born V1 included here has a 59kWh battery, which is good for 266 miles under official figures, although in our range tests, we achieved 219 miles in the summer and 182 miles in winter.
Our pick of the range is the entry-level V1 model because it’s the most sensibly-priced, as our leasing deal shows. It includes LED headlights, climate control, parking aids and 19in alloy wheels, which should cover most bases.
Cupra Born lease deals
Read our in-depth Cupra Born review
Strengths
- Has a high-quality interior
- Offers generous rear legroom
- Cheaper as a company car than the Citroën C5 X
Weaknesses
- The boot size is fairly average
- Rear headroom is tight for tall adults
- Not as comfortable as a Citroën C5 X
Model 1.2 PureTech Allure Fastback | Monthly rental £300.83 | Initial payment £1,804.98 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
Part estate, part SUV, part coupé. It’s hard to pin down exactly what the Peugeot 408 is – but that doesn’t mean it’s without appeal. Indeed, the quirky styling shrouds a car which has a great interior and provides plenty of interior space.
The 1.2-litre PureTech 130 which is highlighted here is the pick of the engine range for private buyers. Indeed the tiny engine does a remarkable job of pushing the large car down the road – far more than you could reasonably expect. The kicker is that it’s also the cheapest engine in the range.
It’s the entry-level Allure that provides the cheapest leasing deal, for which you’ll gain 19in alloy wheels, a reversing camera and a 10in touchscreen infotainment.
Peugeot 408 lease deals
Read our in-depth Peugeot 408 review
Strengths
- Lots of standard safety kit
- Great driving position
- Smart interior
Weaknesses
- So-so performance
- Some rivals are more fun to drive
- Lacks the seating flexibility of many rivals
Model 1.3 DIG-T MHEV N-Connecta | Monthly rental £291.52 | Initial payment £1,749.12 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
The Nissan Qashqai is the granddaddy of the family SUV scene, and now well into its third generation, it remains a strong contender; even if we think the Kia Sportage and Skoda Karoq are better – but more costly – alternatives.
It’s the entry-level 1.3 DIG-T 140 engine which we rate most highly, and the 18in wheels which come as standard on the N-Connecta trim (which helpfully has the keenest lease rates) provides the best ride comfort.
N-Connecta is also the sweet spot when it comes to equipment, serving up a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, wireless charging, rear privacy glass and ambient interior lighting.
Nissan Qashqai lease deals
Read our in-depth Nissan Qashqai review
Our pick: 1.5 VTi-TECH Excite 5dr
Strengths
- More practical than similarly priced electric cars
- Long Range version has an impressive range
- Cheaper than rival electric SUVs
Weaknesses
- Mediocre to drive
- Not the quietest cruiser
- Many electric cars can charge up quicker
Model 72.6kWh Trophy Long Range | Monthly rental £323.50 | Initial payment £1,941 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
Firstly, some housekeeping: the petrol-powered MG ZS is a little cheaper than the electric SUV we’re highlighting here, but the MG ZS EV represents far better value and reduced running costs – especially in Long Range guise quoted here.
The Long Range model can cover up to 273 miles between charges under official figures, and acheived 246 in our own range rest. It can charge at up to 94kW, meaning a 10-80% charge can take as little as 42min. Performance is good, although it’s not much fun to drive.
We think the entry-level SE model is the best, because it balances price and equipment. It features all you could reasonably expect from a low-cost electric SUV, such as keyless entry, air-conditioning, adaptive cruise control, automatic LED lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and 17in alloy wheels. Although keen deals on the high-spec Trophy trim are pleasing.
MG ZS EV lease deals
Read our in-depth MG ZS EV review
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Excellent interior space
- Smart and sturdy-feeling interior
Weaknesses
- Seat Ateca is more fun to drive
- VarioFlex seats no longer standard
- No hybrid options
Model 1.5 TSI ACT Sportline | Monthly rental £333.24 | Initial payment £1999.44 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
Our reviewers describe the Skoda Karoq as ‘top drawer’, which is high praise indeed. It’s closely related to the Seat Ateca, which isn’t quite as comfortable, and the more expensive VW Tiguan, but we think the Karoq is the best of the trio.
The Karoq range includes a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, but the 1.5 TSI listed here is the best because it’s nippy around town and punchy on the motorway. Regardless of engine choice, it’s comfortable and quiet, making it a good long-distance cruiser.
We usually think the mid-spec SE L is the best choice, because it balances price and equipment very well, but keen deals on the higher-spec Sportline impress. Just remember that the Sportline’s panoramic roof does rob some headroom.
Skoda Karoq lease deals
Read our in-depth Skoda Karoq review
Our pick: 1.5 E-Power 204 Acenta Premium 5dr Xtronic
Strengths
- Plenty of standard equipment
- Option of third row of seats
- Competitively priced
Weaknesses
- Smaller boot and third-row seat space than rivals
- Not much fun to drive
- Not as efficient as you might expect a hybrid to be
Model 1.5 h e-POWER Acenta Premium Auto | Monthly rental £334.66 | Initial payment £2007.96 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
If you’re looking for a bargain lease car with additional seating, then the Nissan X-Trail could be the family SUV for you. It’s a spacious and comfortable five seater with the option of adding a couple of occasional seats in the boot. We’d stop short of calling it a seven seater because the third row is tight, but it’s perfectly fine for older children or adults for short trips.
The 1.5-litre e-Power model listed here is our pick of the range. The difference between this and many other hybrids is that the engine doesn't directly drive the wheels, rather it acts as a generator to power a battery. As such it drives like an electric car.
We think the Acenta Premium provides the best value, and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible 8.2in touchscreen infotainment, 18in alloys, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging and parking aids.
Nissan X-Trail lease deals
Read our in-depth Nissan X-Trail review
DS 7
Strengths
- Opulent-looking interior
- Competitive CO2 ratings
- Good level of standard equipment
Weaknesses
- Interior quality poor in places
- Fast depreciation
- Grabby brakes and so-so handling
Model 1.5 BlueHDi Performance Line | Monthly rental £341.53 | Initial payment £2,049.18 | Length of agreement 36 months | Annual mileage limit 10,000 miles
The DS 7 might have some rather humble roots, but it has an unmistakable air of haute couture – so aspires to the likes of the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40 rather than its siblings, the Citroën C5 Aircross and Vauxhall Grandland.
But the market is tough for these aspirational brands, as we’ve been critical of the DS 7’s fast depreciation – but that’s of little concern for those choosing a leasing deal. What’s of far greater interest is an interior that looks rather opulent, and a high level of standard equipment.
Rather unusually, there are no petrol versions on sale, so you can choose between the diesel featured here, or from a pair of rather more expensive plug-in hybrids – and all feel most at home on the motorway, and return upwards of 53.3mpg under official figures.
DS 7 lease deals
Read our in-depth DS 7 review
FAQs
If you’re looking to put a new car on your driveway with the least hassle, then it’s well worth looking at a lease car. With no depreciation to worry about, or the complexities of continuing or ending a PCP deal, they are as straightforward as it gets.
If you don’t plan to keep your car at the end of a PCP deal, a car lease could even save you a great deal of money in the long run.
We have more information in our what is car leasing feature.
Like PCPs, you’ll have to work within a strict mileage limit, and the car mush be returned in good condition at the end of the agreement. Excess mileage charges, and fees to repair damage can be significant.
Also, leasing is among the least flexible finance options. That means if you come into financial difficulty, it can be costly and difficult to end a car leasing agreement early.
Shopping around for the best deal in the first place is the easiest way to keep your leasing costs low. What Car?’s car leasing deals are a great place to start.
Carefully consider your mileage: an annual 6000-mile limit will be far cheaper than 10,000 miles, so try to avoid paying for what you won’t use. But beware excess mileage charges, which can soon add up if you underestimate your mileage.
Do the maths to decide whether it’s better to build in maintenance packages to the lease deal, or deal with them separately. The same applies to insurance.
Consider a shorter agreement, but remember that most lease deals will require a number of months paid up from as an initial rental.
Most regular lease agreements don’t include car insurance, so in these cases you’ll need to arrange it yourself. But many leasing providers offer insurance and maintenance packages. Sometimes this can be more cost-effective – and certainly easier – but it pays to run the numbers first.
Remember that most leasing deals will require you to have fully-comprehensive insurance.
