► CAR’s top leasing bargains
► Pocket-friendly tickets to a new car
► A spread of EVs, sports cars and even a luxury van
Is there a better time to lease a new car than in 2025? Manufacturers have faced a perfect storm of ZEV mandates (aka electric car targets), a rock-bottom used car market, and the decline of cheap city cars. All of which have resulted in exceptional bargains. Now is the time to save cash and upgrade your car.
We’ve gathered a selection of the best leasing deals we could find in early 2025. We’ll be blunt and say they’re a mixed bunch. We have the sublime, the ridiculous, and even those head-scratchers that’ll make you wonder if that car is still even made.
What binds them all together is a value that cannot be beaten.
The best leasing steals 2025 at a glance
- Best luxury lease: BMW 7-series
- Best bargain lease: Nissan Leaf
- Best sports car lease: BMW M2
Note that leasing, also known as Personal Contract Hire (PCH), works like a very long car rental. You put down an initial payment, agree to the terms and drive the car for the length of the contract, making monthly payments. You then hand it back at the end. You have no way to buy the car afterwards and you will not build up any equity.
Best leasing steals 2025
BMW 7-series
Pros: Unparalleled luxury, robust performance, and impressive charging capabilities
Cons: Some may find the design polarising; rivals offer competitive features
The standout bargain of the season, the BMW 7-series has a list price starting at £110,000, so £400 per month would be exceptional value even if the car wasn’t that good. So, for the BMW 7-series, one of our favourite luxury cars, to be the same monthly price as a nice Kia or Ford Capri shows that supply must be far exceeding demand.
Controversial looks aside, the 7-series is an excellent car. The interior features the brand’s huge (and optional) Curved Display iDrive system, ambient lighting, and plush interior materials. It’s an exceptionally refined car built to exceptional standards. The equally impressive electric version is only a couple more quid a month, too.
View BMW 7-series leasing deals here
To find out more, read our full BMW 7-series review
Nissan Leaf
Pros: Cheap, quiet, refined and easy to drive, intuitive one-pedal driving mode
Cons: Very old inside and out, lacks latest fast-charging capability
Yes, it ended production last year, and as far as EVs are concerned, it may as well hail from the Jurassic period, but there’s no denying the value a new(ish) Nissan Leaf offers. It’s cheaper to lease than a Dacia Spring despite a list price of nearly double when offered for sale.
Longer leasing contracts offset the attractively low initial rentals. After the four years are up, it’ll feel even older and more antiquated.
View Nissan Leaf leasing deals here
To find out more, read our full Nissan Leaf review
BMW M2
Pros: The longitudinal-engined two-door BMW coupe lives
Cons: Bigger and heavier than we’d like
The BMW M2 represents the pinnacle of BMW’s petrol endeavours before electrification takes over every nook and cranny of the range. So why not celebrate this swansong to the compact sports car by capitalising on the exceptionally competitive leasing rates
It may be heavier and uglier than the M2 before, but it’s not lost any of the composure that put it on the map. It’s now a far more polished car, and we can’t think of a better way to spend £500 monthly. It even has a proper manual gearbox.
View BMW M2 leasing deals here
To find out more, read our full BMW M2 review
Skoda Octavia vRS
Pros: Practical, easy to live with, quick and economical
Cons: Manual, PHEV and diesel vRS discontinued
In short, if you’re looking for a car that can comfortably seat five and handle their luggage with ease, the Skoda Octavia Estate is all you really need. Still not sure? Think of it as a more practical and better value version of the Volkswagen Golf.
And it gets even better—right now, you can get the sporty vRS model for under £300 a month. The vRS takes the Octavia’s practicality and sprinkles chilli powder all over it, with more power and tweaks to the steering and suspension. The latest update has simplified the range, now offering just a petrol version, along with an upgraded infotainment system.
View Skoda Octavia vRS leasing deals here
To find out more, read our full Skoda octavia vRS review
Volkswagen ID.7
Pros: Massive range and boot, refined driving experience
Cons: Some fiddly interior controls remain
The ID.7 is Volkswagen’s flagship electric model, and it truly excels as a long-distance cruiser. It offers an impressive 400-mile range and a smooth, comfortable ride perfect for tackling long journeys. It’s also roomier than key competitors like the Tesla Model Y, with a massive boot and interior.
We’d recommend skipping the GTX version, the second motor and performance boost is minimal, and it chops away some of that impressive range. Instead, opt for the Pro S model, which features a larger 86kWh battery. It’s a practical, versatile electric car that’s also competitively priced. There’s even an estate model called the Tourer if you need any more room.
View Volkswagen ID.7 leasing deals here
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen ID.7 review
Maxus MIFA 9
Pros: Lots of luxury, room for eight people
Cons: Battery tech is lacking, miniscule boot somehow
The best value car (if you can call it that) that we could find is this big, luxurious electric MPV. It’s massive, with room for eight people, and it’s also electric. There are blinds, captains chairs, ambient lighting, the works for a luxury car. It has everything but the price.
It’s cheaper to lease than a mid-range Kia Sportage and can seat eight people in supposed luxurious comfort. We haven’t managed to drive one yet, but the battery tech doesn’t seem that good. Also, for what is effectively a van, the boot is smaller than what you’d find on an ID.7.
View Maxus MIFA 9 leasing deals here