93 BEST NEW CAR DEALS NOW!

We’ve rounded up the cream of the car leasing deals available right now

though, and we’ve done all the hard work for you to track them down

THE up-front price of a car has become less and less relevant in recent times. For most motorists, it’s about how much they’ll have to pay a month to get behind the wheel, and one of the most popular ways to do this is leasing.

Also known as Personal Contract Hire, it’s best thought of as a long-term rental agreement, because you never own the car. Leasing is ideal for people who are happy to hand back the vehicle at the end of the agreement. It lets them take advantage of typically lower monthly payments than a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Personal Hire (PH) arrangement.

The car market is in a strange place right now, with numerous challenges, including demand often outstripping supply due to production problems, so bargain lease deals aren’t as abundant as they once were. Worthwhile deals are still out there,

Where possible, we’ve stuck to 48-month contracts with a deposit based on nine months’ worth of payments. This spreads the deposit over four years rather than two or three, while giving longer to save up a downpayment for whatever car comes next.

We’re starting at just £175 a month and going up to £1,000, so there should be something to suit most budgets and a variety of needs over the next 32 pages. Since lead times on new cars in the current climate can be fairly lengthy, we’ve also highlighted the cars that are in stock at the time of writing, so if you need to get behind the wheel swiftly, you know where to look.

We have small city cars, SUVs, sports cars, EVs and much more among our 93 deals. We’ve also made sure a good number of our excellent New Car of the Year Award winners for 2022 are included in this round-up.

These prices were correct as this issue went to press, but deals regularly change.

VERDICT THE Fiat 500 (not to be confused with an EV which has the same name) is an old car now, and that shows in its ergonomics and the way it drives But if you want an affordable little runabout that’s stylish both inside and out, look no further For this kind of money, you’ll have to stick to the entry-level ‘Pop’ trim, but the Italian city car still comes with a decent amount of equipment, including parking sensors plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. And most importantly, it’ll make you smile every time you look at it

VERDICT ONE of three Dacias for less than £200, the Duster has more and arguably kerb appeal than the Sandero It’s an honest SUV for those who want practicality but aren’t worried about the trimmings

Like the Sandero (see page 36), this Duster is in the basic Essential trim, but it’s not completely barren in terms of equipment, and the steel wheels suit the Dacia rather well It is behind plusher rivals when it comes to its safety features and the quality of its interior trim, so you may wish to opt for the Sandero for

VERDICT THERE must have been whoops of delight at Vauxhall HQ when the Corsa knocked its arch-rival, the Ford Fiesta, off the top spot in the list of Britain’s best-selling cars in 2021 It sold strongly last year, too, but that popularity isn’t just down to its value The current Corsa is far better than the car that it replaced, with a great range of engines and a comfortable ride

Our pick has the base-level non-turbo engine with 74bhp, but this is paired with the Elite trim, which is just one grade down from the range-topping Ultimate spec, so you shouldn’t be wanting for equipment

VERDICT LONG known for its bubble car-like looks, the Micra has grown up into a stylish, sharply designed supermini. There’s plenty of substance, with the Nissan offering great practicality and fantastic build quality

But it’s older than a lot of its rivals, many of which are better to drive, and come with better-performing and more efficient engines, including mild-hybrids. But for this kind of money, the Nissan looks a whole lot more tempting The Micra is no longer available for order, so this deal will only be available for the remaining stock

VERDICT IN recent years, there’s been a renewed focus on providing comfort over handling sharpness in the Citroen range, and that extends even to the stylish little C3 Fitting in with that ethos is this C-Series Edition, which adds a softtouch artificial-leather dash among other upgrades

The exterior decals on this special edition won’t suit everyone, but few will be able to argue with the cosseting ride, efficient three-cylinder engine and the well sized boot The C-Series Edition also gets Citroen’s distinctive ‘Air Bumps’ on the doors.

VERDICT MG’s EVs, especially the brilliant MG4, have been busy grabbing the headlines in recent times, but we shouldn’t forget about the 3, which is a supermini for the price of a city car It offers a lot of space for the money and is surprisingly fun to drive, but those two factors, combined with the price, will need to be very important to you The MG3 is an old car now, having been on sale in the UK for nearly 10 years and even longer in China. This does show, particularly when it comes to the sub-par cabin quality and the relatively crude engine

VERDICT THE Octavia is a lot bigger than the average C-segment hatchback, so Skoda created the Scala to slot between that car and the Fabia supermini The results are, it must be said, not awfully exciting, but from a value perspective, the Scala is hard to beat

For less than £200 a month, you’re getting a very practical car with an impressive 467-litre boot and a tried-and-tested turbocharged three-cylinder engine Our gets the 108bhp version of that motor and the well equipped SE Technology grade.

VERDICT THE Ibiza isn’t our first choice in the supermini segment, yet the SEAT has lots going for it. It’s more than five years old, but was treated to an update in 2021 to keep it more on terms with rivals It’s great to drive, refined and practical, and with its ‘mini Leon’ looks, quite handsome, too It sits on the same MQB platform as its bigger C-segment brother, which is partly why the Ibiza’s technology offering is so good This deal is for a more basic version, though, with the entry-level inline-three engine and the base SE trim grade.

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VERDICT ALTHOUGH this is only the entry-level trim grade for the Hyundai i20 range and its lowest-powered engine, neither factor is much of a concern The i20 SE has all the key bits of tech buyers are looking for in 2023, and an abundance of safety equipment.

The turbocharged three-cylinder engine’s 99bhp output will provide more than enough performance for most people It’s also great to drive, being one of the few cars in the class to give the Ford Fiesta something to worry about on the handling front in recent years

It looks handsome from the outside, while on the inside, the latest version of the Polo is clearly a much higher-quality product than many rivals. Best of all, it has the feel of a car from the segment above

VERDICT AS with the Vauxhall Corsa featured in the sub-£200 category, the Astra is a car that moved the game on massively from its middle-ofthe-road predecessor Perhaps the biggest contrast is the looks. Replacing the generic, blob-like body of the Astra K is a sharply styled machine that’s one of the most handsome in the segment

There’s substance to go with that, though, with a new platform from parent group Stellantis helping the Astra offer great tech and sharp handling For this money, you are looking at an entry-level engine and trim combination, but that’ll still make for a fine car

While that’s not quite the case any more, owing to upmarket, it still offers a lot of car for the

For your £226 a month, you’re getting a huge and well thought-out boot, plus lots of cabin space This deal is for the lower of the Sportswagon’s two trim grades, but equipment levels are healthy, and we’ve no complaints about the performance on offer from the 1 5-litre petrol engine Just don’t expect it to be particularly exciting to drive

VERDICT THE 3008 played a big part in revitalising Peugeot’s image The dowdy model it replaced was a distant memory as soon as this version arrived, bringing a real sense of flair to a segment not known for offering much excitement. Although the 3008 has been around a while, a facelift in 2021 kept it fresh, and throughout its life, the SUV has been refined and efficient This one blends the 1 2-litre engine with mid-range Allure trim. As with many Peugeots, though, make sure you’re happy with the unusual i-Cockpit driving position

VERDICT IT’S true that the Volkswagen Golf isn’t as convincing a proposition as it once was, due to the eighth-generation version’s various foibles, including a fiddly infotainment system and some surprisingly cheapfeeling trim. But even so, it still ticks a lot of boxes. The Golf is handsome, has a badge with real cachet, and is good to drive, whether you’re pressing on or just cruising The model we’ve chosen here has the entrylevel Life trim, paired with a 148bhp 1.5-litre inline fourcylinder engine, which is both smooth

It’s even quite fun to drive, and while it has a few weak spots, they’re forgivable

VERDICT AN Audi for £336 a month represents a lot of badge for not a lot of money, and this isn’t an A1 we’re looking at here – it’s the much bigger and very well rounded A4 in practical Avant estate form

However, there are compromises to be made to get that tempting monthly payment, because this model uses the base 35 petrol engine and pairs it with entrylevel Technik trim That powertrain is pokey enough, though, while Technik comes with a decent level of standard kit, so there’s still plenty to recommend here

VERDICT THE Mazda CX-5 finished second in 2022’s overall Driver Power rankings, indicating that those who drive one are a very satisfied bunch We ran a CX-5 for the best part of a year on our test fleet and loved it too, so it’s a car we’d happily recommend.

It’s perhaps the most attractive model in its class, but there’s plenty of substance to go with those good looks The CX-5 is also brilliant to drive and has a high-quality cabin. This one is in the mid-spec Sport Edition trim, paired

VERDICT THE previous X-Trail was, in effect, just a big Qashqai, but for this new version, Nissan has put more distance between the two via some aggressive styling

As always with an X-Trail, it scores well for practicality, particularly in this seven-seat version, which has a mildhybrid engine and a mid-range trim level. It features a high-quality interior, but the cabin is already looking a touch dated against rivals from Korean brands

VERDICT CITROEN must be commended for bringing out the C5 X, which seeks to get new-car buyers interested in estate cars again, by blending the traditional wagon shape with the kind of ride height and tough body cladding you’d expect from an SUV It features Citroen’s trademark ride comfort, a classy cabin, and great looks.

It works out a little more expensive than we’d like on a lease deal, but the mid-grade Shine trim level of our chosen example has a decent list of standard kit. The 1.2-litre engine is a good fit for the car, too, although the eight-speed automatic gearbox it’s paired with isn’t the slickest

VERDICT THE A-Class took a big leap forward when the currentgeneration version arrived in 2018, bringing with it the kind of interior plushness and technology you should expect from a Mercedes That means while you do still have to pay more for one than the average C-segment hatchback –as seen by the £387 monthly payment – the A-Class now does a better job of justifying the premium Our pick here is in the AMG Line Executive trim, which provides sportier styling and additional equipment, and comes with a 1.3-litre engine and a dual-clutch automatic gearbox

The Mini Cooper Convertible is fun to drive, won’t cost the earth to run, and has an electronically operated folding roof that goes up or down in just 18 seconds Even more impressively, the car saves the most recent climate-control settings for the roof up and down,

VERDICT WHILE most Jaguar buyers flock to the F-Pace SUV, the XE betters it in pretty much every area apart from practicality, where the saloon loses points for a shortage of rear-seat space and a small boot

But it’s better to drive than the F-Pace, arguably better looking, and after its mid-life facelift, has the kind of interior quality and tech it always should have Even base R-Dynamic S spec offers full-leather trim and electrically adjustable seats, while the D200 diesel engine gives brisk

VERDICT

The hybrid set-up blends a 1 6-litre inline-four petrol engine, a 12.4kWh battery pack and an electric motor. This provides a pokey power output of 222bhp and an electric-only mode with a top speed of 83mph If you’re not aiming for that figure, it can run without waking up the engine for up to 38.5 miles, so if plugged in frequently, you might rarely need

VERDICT THE new Niro looks much better than its blandly styled predecessor, with a sharper-looking face and (sort of) Audi R8-like sideblades, which can be specced in a contrasting colour if you’re feeling bold Its 72kWh fast-charging capability is a little behind others models in this class, but the Niro makes up for that by being one of the most efficient electric vehicles out there It’s pretty quick, too This one comes in the 2 grade, which is the entry-level trim for the Niro EV, but it has enough standard kit for most people

VERDICT NOT everyone will be sold on the 2 Series Gran Coupé’s looks, but if you like what you see, this is a great way into BMW ownership This M Sport – the higher of the two available grades – adds sporty styling, extra kit and lower, stiffer suspension

This means it’ll be even better to drive than the already-sharp standard version, but the ride may be firm for some With a hatchbackstyle boot opening and a pair of rear doors, it’s much more practical than the 2 Series coupé.

VERDICT AN ideal vehicle for people after a family bus, this particular version of the Skoda Kodiaq has the optional seven-seat arrangement

Space in the third row of seats isn’t stellar, but they’re fine for younger kids and smaller teens. With every seat folded, the Czech machine offers an incredible amount of room, with a total cargo capacity of more than 2,000 litres Any version of the Kodiaq will do you proud, but this one might just be the sweet spot, combining Sport Line trim with a smooth 1 5-litre inline-four petrol engine

VERDICT WHILE there’s room for improvement in the ID 3’s cabin due to a surprising abundance of cheaper trim and some fiddly controls, as a whole this Volkswagen hatchback remains a great way to go all-electric for the first time

The Life Pro version of the ID 3 features the smaller 58kWh battery pack, but with an official range of 264 miles, it’ll still take you far on a single charge And when you do need to top up, the Volkswagen’s 125kW fast-charging capability means you won’t have to wait around for too long before you’ll be on the road again really should be taken seriously It’s one of a number of new EVs that make us really pay attention to what the Chinese car industry is putting out these days The powertrain is impressive and the cabin has a nice design, while the First Edition has plenty of kit We were a little disappointed by the £31,995 list price, and it’s fairly steep to lease, too But on its cute looks alone, we reckon that many buyers

VERDICT THE Ioniq 5 was our Car of the Year in 2021, and although it has more rivals to worry about now, it remains one of the best EVs on the market Its boxy, retro-futuristic looks are still attention-grabbing some time after the car’s launch, and underneath that striking body is a highly efficient electric powertrain.

It also comes with prices starting from £43,150, which translates to fairly high leasing costs, so even this entry-level SE Connect car with the smaller battery is £454 a month. It’s worth it, though.

VERDICT THE Ariya impressed us so much in 2022 that it snagged the overall victory in our Car of the Year awards The cabin represents a huge improvement for Nissan, adopting a slick design that features controls embedded into a huge and premium-feeling block of wood stretching across the dashboard.

For this budget you’ll have to settle for the smaller battery, but the official electric-only range is still healthy, and when you do need to top up, 130kW rapid-charging capability means you won’t be hanging around for long.

Alfa Romeo has done a great job with the dynamics, too, transforming some rather old Jeep underpinnings to create a sharp and satisfying compact SUV to drive The cabin looks great, too, but the still under scrutiny, the US company has the edge over rivals when it comes to electric powertrain tech So, even though this is a basic single-motor version of the Model Y, it’s still well worth a look. It’s quick, and unlike with many EVs, you stand a good chance of getting close to the official range figure The interior layout won’t be to everyone’s liking, though, because it does away with a traditional instrument cluster in favour of a single, centrally mounted screen

VERDICT THE previous Evoque left the Range Rover badging to do a lot of the heavy lifting, but that’s not the case for the current car The much sleeker-looking model has a vastly improved and tech-packed interior, and as ever, it’s considerably more capable than its rivals if you’re planning to take the Evoque off road

This one will struggle more than other derivatives, however, because it’s the two-wheel-drive version, fitted with a 2.0-litre diesel engine and combined with the mid-range R-Dynamic S trim

THE Megane E-Tech is nothing like the car it replaces It represents a big step forward for interior design and tech, made possible by the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s new CMF-EV electric car platform Helped further by impressive driving dynamics and a strong electric powertrain, the E-Tech made it to the top of the Small Company Car category at our 2022 New Car Awards The mid-range Techno models come with bigger wheels, a Google-based infotainment system and wireless phone charging, while all models get 130kW rapid-charge capability

VERDICT ANOTHER New Car Awards winner, this time in the Large Company Car category, but the 5 Series could seriously be considered the best model in BMW’s current range Highlights include a luxurious interior, which comes with one of the best infotainment set-ups around It also looks great, and the style is far less divisive than that of some of its stablemates, particularly in the sporty M Sport trim of this version Even though this is ‘just’ the 520d we’re looking at, this 5 Series will still prove brilliant to drive

VERDICT PREVIOUS-generation Sante Fe models were rather bland inside and out, but that’s certainly not the case with the latest version Housed in its more distinctive bodyshell is a big seven-seater cabin, although the third row of seats doesn’t offer masses of space The plug-in hybrid version in this deal combines a 13 8kWh battery, an electric motor and a 1 6-litre petrol engine for 261bhp and an electric range of 36 miles The Santa Fe is competent rather than exciting, but that

The

VERDICT CUPRA’S first product after separating from SEAT was an update of the Ateca SUV The results weren’t quite as successful as the later (and unique to the brand) Formentor, but the Cupra Ateca still appeals Thanks to a 296bhp four-cylinder engine feeding power to all wheels, it’s fast and capable It also looks good, is quite practical, and the cabin has a premium feel The Cupra is thirstier than you might expect, though, and you might find yourself explaining the badge to acquaintances quite frequently

VERDICT NOT everyone wants an EV that’s radically different inside and out, and that’s what makes the iX3 so appealing At first glance, it looks just like a regular X3 SUV, and the cabin is very conventional, too That’s not to say the electric version was an afterthought, because the latest X3’s underpinnings were engineered to adopt a fully electric drivetrain As a result, the iX3 is a well packaged, efficient and fun-todrive car that’ll make the EV switch a little less daunting. Here

VERDICT YOU wouldn’t know by looking at it, but the EV6 is mechanically very similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 And like that car, the Kia can count itself among the EV greats around right now The range figures are impressive and achievable, courtesy of the efficient powertrain The EV6 is also fast, satisfying to drive and quite practical We’ve picked the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version here in mid-spec GT Line trim, but that’s no bad thing because you don’t really need the additional performance of the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive car

VERDICT PURISTS might get sniffy at Ford’s apparent audacity to use the iconic Mustang name for an electric SUV, but the fact is the Mach-E is one of the most complete and bestdriving electric vehicles money can buy

You’ll need quite a bit in the bank to get one, though, with this particular Mustang Mach-E costing £785 a month For that sum you will be driving the Extended Range AWD version, which has plenty of performance and is capable of covering up to 335 miles on a single charge.

VERDICT rate the full-fat Range Rover, there’s a strong rationale behind going for its little brother instead The Range Rover Sport is nearly as plush inside, less expensive, and dynamically sharper Although looks are subjective, we reckon it’s also even more handsome. Plus you can have the Sport with the same excellent plug-in hybrid powertrain as its pricier sibling: it uses a larger-than-average battery pack to give an official electric-only range of up to 70 miles. It’s still expensive, however.

Such performance doesn’t come cheap, but in certain conditions on certain roads, there won’t be many cars faster than this pint-sized tearaway Lease one of these and you’ll be

Testers’ notes

PICTURE the scene: you’ve got 30 grand to spend on a new car. You’re not a fan of SUVs, so a five-door hatchback will suit you fine, and you want something that has a whiff of sportiness about it, but without the hefty running costs that come with a full-blown hot hatchback What choices are there?

Well thanks to Cupra, the options have just grown by one. The Leon, previously available with either an expensive plug-in hybrid powertrain or as a 306bhp hot hatch, has a new entry point with a modest 1 5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Yet it retains the sporty looks to satisfy hot-hatch fans.

For similar money, BMW gets in on the act with the 118i, which in M Sport guise is almost indistinguishable from the range-topping M135i, but costs far less to buy and to run.

Then there’s the Mazda 3 There’s no hot version of the Japanese hatch, but then the brand has always focused on making its entire range simply great to drive.

All cost similar money and offer similar performance, so which is best?

BMW

Price: £32,015

Engine: 1 5-litre 3cyl turbo petrol, 134bhp 0-62mph: 8 8 seconds

Test economy: 37 5mpg/8 2mpl CO2: 134-150g/km Annual road tax: £165

Mazda3

GT Sport Price: £31,105 Engine: 2 0-litre 4cyl petrol, 183bhp 0-62mph: 8 5 seconds Test economy: 42 5mpg/9 3mpl CO2: 137g/km Annual road tax: £155