50 top new car deals
Mega bargains on Driver Power favourites
THE number-one consideration for anyone buying a new car is how much it will cost. Working this out used to be a simple case of looking at list prices but, as fewer people buy their cars outright, comparing deals is now an essential part of the shopping process.
Here, we outline 50 deals on the top cars from our Driver Power new-car survey from April (Issue 1,621). We detail the monthly repayments you’ll make with a typical deposit, and also highlight if manufacturers are offering low interest rates or making deposit contributions to help. But comparing these elements alone isn’t enough to work out if you’re getting a good deal. That’s because PCP contracts – the method the vast majority of us use to finance a new car – pay off depreciation. The more desirable a car is predicted to be on the used market, the more affordable it is likely to be to finance new, compared with its rivals.
So while we would always advise you to buy the best car you can afford, and the expert insights from our road tests will help you do this, it’s key to understand how the car finance market works. After all, while most of us consult a mortgage advisor when buying a house, getting similar expert advice when choosing the second-biggest purchase you’re likely to make in your life is less common.
All of the deals detailed here were correct at the time of writing, so while it’s possible you will find different offers when you start shopping, the examples given here should give a strong indication of what you can expect when you hit showrooms and online finance calculators.
And, as we touched on in our introduction (see Page 41), with dealerships still operating at below normal volumes due to coronavirus, heading to a showroom now could place you in a strong position from the point of view of negotiating a great deal.
50. Volkswagen Golf
THE previous-generation VW Golf was impressive in its own right, and while the new model featured here is mechanically related, its cabin design and the technology on offer represent a great leap forward.
A strong deposit contribution, plus an attractive interest rate, make this iconic family hatchback available for just over £200 a month if you’re prepared to put £5,276 down. Life trim includes adaptive cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels and ambient interior lighting.
49. BMW X3
PUT £5,000 down on a new X3, and BMW will match that deposit, plus add an extra £500, to bring repayments down to £493 a month, which offsets the so-so interest rate highlighted in this deal. M Sport trim includes a sharper bodykit, uprated brakes and M interior trim, while the Tech Pack adds a useful head-up display, a Harman Kardon stereo and a wireless phone charger.
Owners love the way the X3 drives and rave about the infotainment, although running costs are criticised.
48. Nissan Juke
REPLACING a car as popular as the original Juke was a tough task for Nissan, particularly because the old one sold well even as it reached its autumn years. The new model therefore has big boots to fill, but it has stepped up to the challenge while still remaining very much a Juke.
The deal includes a reasonable (for so new a car) £750 deposit contribution, while just £1,500 down keeps the monthly payments under £300. N-Connecta adds climate control, ambient lighting and some trim upgrades inside.
47. Jaguar XF
THE Jaguar XF lacks the technological wow factor of a BMW 5 Series or Audi A6, but it has better handling than the Audi, and looks that some people will find more graceful than the BMW’s. This generous deal from Jaguar features a rare combination of zero per cent interest and a chunky deposit contribution, making this big car even more attractive.
Prestige trim covers all the basics, including leather seats, ambient lighting and full smartphone integration.
46. Audi Q5
THE Audi Q5’s user-friendliness is balanced with impressive technology and decent fuel economy, if you opt for a plug-in hybrid or diesel version.
We’ve gone for the latter, with Audi knocking more than 10 per cent off the list price with its deposit contribution, which offsets the competitive rather than stellar interest rate. Sporty S line spec has almost become the default trim for Audis. Just be warned: Driver Power respondents s ay servicing costs are a little pricey.
45. Fiat 500
ICONIC is an overused word, but it’s one that applies to the Fiat 500, both in its original form and this version. And with Fiat making the next 500 electric-only, now is the time to snap up one of these dinky petrol runabouts.
Do so with this deal and you’ll get a decent deposit contribution, while Lounge trim includes a seven-inch touchscreen with full smartphone connectivity, plus parking sensors and alloys. Keep an eye out for special editions, because these often suit the trendy 500 well.
44. Peugeot 208
OUR 2020 rundown of the best new cars to own featured the previous-generation 208, but this latest model is a more-than-worthy successor. Despite being so fresh, Peugeot is offering a useful deposit contribution towards this stylish supermini, which helps keep repayments to a little over £250 if you can rustle up a £2,500 deposit.
Allure trim includes the digital i-Cockpit dashboard display, plus climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels and wireless mobile smartphone charging.
43. Toyota Yaris
A NEW Yaris is due in showrooms imminently, but the outgoing model is still worth a look, particularly because you should be able to negotiate a deal as showroom staff prepare to make way for the latest edition.
This offer includes both zero per cent interest and a deposit contribution, while Y20 trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch infotainment display and a revering camera. Driver Power data indicates that you can expect excellent reliability and running costs.
42. Lexus NX
AS if to prove interest rates and deposit contributions are directly linked to which cars manufacturers need to shift, Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, charges 2.9 per cent, instead of the Yaris’ zero per cent interest, for this deal on the NX SUV. Yet this is softened by a decent deposit contribution.
F Sport trim includes sports suspension and improved infotainment, while the Premium Pack adds a power tailgate and 11 other goodies. Owners love how the NX looks, but s ay fuel consumption could be better.
41. Ford Kuga
AS if to prove how quickly the market changes, the Kuga is another car that’s been replaced since April’s Driver Power survey. It’s too soon to say what the latest Kuga is like from a long-term owner’s view, but if the previous model is any guide (see P95) practicality should impress.
This deal from Ford is inviting, bringing a low interest rate and a decent deposit contribution to the brand’s new SUV. Titanium trim, meanwhile, comes with LED lights, 18-inch alloy wheels and an upgraded stereo.
40. BM W 5 Series
STILL king of the executive car park, the 5 Series is as at home on a winding road as it is on a ruler-straight motorway, while also offering perfectly judged performance and economy in the 520d guise seen here. Head along to your nearest BMW showroom and you should be offered a generous deposit contribution, too.
Owners tell us that the 5 Series comes with impeccable engines and gearboxes, and is an absolute dream to drive, although servicing is said to be rather expensive.
39. Honda Civic
MUCH has been made of the current Civic’s looks, but unless you’re going for the Type R hot hatch, the styling isn’t quite as controversial as some people might argue. It’s also impressively enjoyable to drive and, according to our Driver Power survey respondents, has great engines and gearboxes, and is also a practical family hatchback.
The deal highlighted here bags a Civic for just £229 a month with £4,627 down, while Honda will chuck in a £1,500 deposit contribution to sweeten the deal.
38. Mazda 3
WITH stand-out looks and a genuinely impressive driving experience, the Mazda 3 makes a strong case for itself. Inside, the brand has vowed it will retain physical knobs and dials rather than making touchscreens the sole means of control, a decision that resonates with many of our readers, and means the 3 is easy to use.
This zero per cent interest deal improves things further for buyers, while GT Sport trim includes leather seats, adaptive LED lights and a 12-speaker Bose stereo.
37. Renault Zoe
THE Zoe is an affordable route to EV ownership at present, and if you’re after an electric family car, it’s a strong contender. Renault will bump up the Government’s Plug-in Car Grant (already factored into the price here) with a £1,000 deposit for this deal, while specifying the Rapid Charge option is advisable.
Real-world range is roughly 200 miles, although this can drop by 40 miles or so in the winter. As you might expect, owner ss ay the Zoe is v ery cheap to run.
36. Mercedes A-Class
IF you wonder why the A-Class is such a popular premium hatch, this deal gives a clue: just £299 down, a chunky deposit contribution and then £299 a month bags you one. That’s an impressive deal, and one that highlights both how well the A-Class is expected to hold its value, and how big a role residual values play in PCP deals.
Owners love the Mercedes’ handling and interior, but be prepared to increase your deposit or monthly payments if you want some of the excellent tech options.
35. Peugeot 2008
THE previous-generation 2008 was highly rated by our Driver Power respondents, while this all-new car is even better, in the expert opinion our road test team.
So while this deal will only get you £500 off the list price of Peugeot’s smallest SUV, you’re getting a lot of car for the money. Allure trim includes all-round parking sensors, tinted rear windows, part-leather seats and LED lights, while the 1.2-litre turbocharged PureTech petrol engine has a perk y and energetic character.
34. Skoda Octavia
ANOTHER brand-new model available via an attractive finance deal, with a £2,500 contribution towards your deposit. However, while some Skodas are available with the first three monthly payments on the house, this offer doesn’t apply to the new Octavia.
We’ve gone for the immensely practical estate for this deal, which should be even more capable than its illustrious forbear. SE First Edition trim gets you LED lights and a digital dashboard, amongst other kit.
33. Subaru XV
IT’S a shame this deal comes with neither a deposit contribution nor a hugely attractive interest rate, but you may be able to negotiate better terms in the showroom. If you opt for the XV, you’ll get an impressively reliable SUV, with a comfortable interior and top-notch safety features, according to owners.
SE Premium spec adds a sunroof and leather seats, amongst other things, while the 1.6-litre petrol engine is about £3,000 cheaper than the 2.0-litre e-Boxer hybrid.
32. Lexus UX
THE smallest model in the Lexus SUV range, the hybridonly UX has impeccable reliability, a rock-solid interior and a smooth drivetrain, according to our readers. Plus standard-fit smartphone connectivity means you can largely circumnavigate the fiddly touchscreen.
A decent deposit contribution and a good interest rate make repayments over the course of this 42-month contract reasonable, as does the knowledge that Lexus dealers have a great reputation (see Page 62).
31. SEAT Leon
GIVEN the Leon is a brand-new model, it’s impressive that SEAT is able to offer such low monthly repayments, in addition to a reasonable deposit contribution. SE Dynamic trim includes a 10-inch infotainment system, as well as 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, a digital dashboard and all-round parking sensors.
And while our Driver Power new-car survey related to the previous-generation Leon, our test team reckons this new model is just as sharp to drive a s the Mk3 version.
30. Volvo XC60
YOU need a fairly chunky deposit for this deal; but we’re in premium mid-size SUV territory here, so that’s par for the course. Either way, Volvo’s zero per cent interest offer makes this an appealing contract, and as with all PCP deals, a chunky initial payment reduces the monthly cost.
Our Driver Power respondents say the XC60 has a fantastic interior and is awash with safety kit, although be prepared for relatively high running costs. R Design trim adds plush Nappa leather and sports suspension.
29. Kia Picanto
THE interest rate here isn’t hugely appealing compared with some of the deals we’ve highlighted, but a £1,000 deposit contribution makes up for this, while Kia’s seven-year warranty is the longest in the business.
Opting for Titanium Edition gets you the effective seven-inch touchscreen missing from 1 and 2 trims, a feature Picanto owners say is well worth having. Owners also say the Kia is great fun to drive, and is provi ng to be an impressively reliable city car, too.
28. Citroen C4 Grand S/T
SUVS are in greater demand than people carriers, which can lead to higher depreciation for MPVs. That could explain why this deal has high monthly repayments, because PCPs see you paying off a car’s depreciation. But if you keep the SpaceTourer at the end of the contract, the final payment is relatively palatable.
Mid-range Feel Plus spec includes a rear camera and upgraded trim and seats, while owners report excellent practicality and reliability from this car.
27. Kia Stonic
THE Stonic competes in the increasingly crowded small SUV market, and offers an easy-to-use cabin design, plus one of the best infotainment systems around.
This deal is also decent, combining a short three-year term with affordable monthly repayments, a £2,500 deposit, and £2,000 knocked off the list price. Top-spec 4 trim includes all the bells and whistles you’re likely to want, while our Driver Power respondents say the Stonic is impressively reliable and cheap to run.
26. Mazda MX-5
TWO doors, two seats, rear-wheel drive and a fabric roof – the MX-5 has appealing enough facets already, made all the more attractive by this interest-free deal .
While this roadster is criticised for its lack of practicality (something that shouldn’t come as a surprise), owners have almost nothing else negative to say about it, praising the handling, looks and reliability in particular. SE-L trim includes LED lights and heated seats to make chilly top-down drives more comfortable.
25. Toyota C-HR
TOYOTA seized the moment when it launched the C-HR, stimulating the well established family SUV market with a striking design. The car has since proved a massive hit with motorists, yet you can still get an interest-free PCP offer if you take Toyota up on this deal.
Design trim gets you most of the kit you need (18-inch alloys, parking sensors, smartphone integration), while our Driver Power results indicate that the C-HR has strong handling and safety features, plus excellent reliability.
24. Nissan Leaf
THE Government will give you £3,000 off the cost of a new Leaf, so the fact Nissan will add a further £1,000 deposit contribution makes this one affordable EV. Put a little under £5,000 down and you can have it for £309 a month, while N-Connecta trim includes part-leather seats, all-round parking sensors and 17-inch alloys.
This 40kWh model has an official range of 168 miles, while the 62kWh Leaf e+ can cover a claimed 239 miles between charges, for an extra £90 a month or so.
23. Kia Rio
ITS name is Rio and it’ll save you more than a grand, thanks to Kia throwing in a chunky £1,750 deposit contribution for this affordable supermini. Put £2,000 down and then repayments are £239 over 36 months, with a manageable optional payment to make at the end of the deal if you want to keep this capable Fiesta rival.
While Driver Power respondents aren’t keen on the Rio’s slightly slow acceleration, they rave about almost everything else, saying it’s good to drive and cheap to run.
22. SEAT Arona
JUST £2,000 down and £230 a month over four years will get you the keys to the hugely capable Arona, a small SUV that combines strong driving dynamics, with VW’s excellent 1.0-litre TSI engine in this offer. SEAT will also throw in a decent deposit contribution to sweeten the deal, which tempers the humdrum interest rate.
SE Technology includes a Beats stereo, parking sensors and sat-nav. Our Driver Power poll shows that the Arona is great to drive and has top-notch infotainment.
21. Honda CR-V
HONDA really raised its game with the current CR-V, designing a car with a plush cabin that is easy, relaxing and comfortable to drive. Driver Power respondents also report the CR-V is reliable, immensely practical, and comes with great engines and gearboxes.
This deal gets you a CR-V for £309 a month, although relatively high interest charges mean you’ll need a hefty 26 per cent deposit to get those repayments. But Honda will knock £1,250 off list by way of a deposit contribution.
20. Subaru Forester
OUR Driver Power respondents say the Forester has impeccable practicality credentials and a tip-top interior; it came second in these categories in our new-car survey.
XE trim includes LED lights, 17-inch alloys, roof rails and an eight-inch infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, while the petrol-electric drivetrain is a smooth performer. This deal doesn’t have a deposit contribution or an eye-catching interest rate, but the Forester is highly regarded for its off-road capabilities.
19. Lexus CT
OWNERS say the CT is a handsome and comfortable premium hatch, and one with pitch-perfect reliability. Adding to these talents is a £2,000 deposit contribution, together with a decent interest rate, which help get you a CT for less than £300 a month with £3,500 down.
The standard model includes a comprehensive list of equipment, while avoiding the stiffer suspension of the F Sport (the CT is firm enough without it) or the £7,000 premium that top-spec Takumi trim commands.
18. Kia Ceed
A HIGHLY competent entry in the family hatchback market, the handsome Ceed can be yours for £3,000 down and £289 a month, helped by a deposit contribution of around 10 per cent from Kia.
We’d dodge the hesitant dual-clutch gearbox and go for the manual, while the turbocharged 1.4-litre engine has more than enough poke for long runs. GT-Line trim offers a heated steering wheel and seats, as well as dual-zone climate control and a host of safety features.
17. Subaru Outback
SMALLER firms often struggle to match the financial clout of the larger manufacturers, which partly explains why the monthly repayments on this deal are relatively high.
But if you’ve got your eye on a Subaru, then expect the Outback to be reliable, comfortable, practical and easy to drive. SE trim includes heated seats, dual-zone climate control and a host of driver assist features; this latter aspect helped the Outback score impressively well for safety in our Driver Power new car survey in April.
16. Toyota Prius
THIS deal’s 4.9 per cent APR is neither here nor there, while Toyota doesn’t feel the need to offer a deposit contribution. Nonetheless, you can still get the keys to a hybrid hatchback for a little over £300 a month, while Driver Power respondents say the Prius is a comfortable car, with low running costs and excellent reliability.
Business Edition Plus spec includes extras such as a JBL stereo and nav, yet you could go for the entry-level Active model and bring the monthly cost below £300.
15. Skoda Karoq
WHILE Yeti owners might bemoan its replacement’s conservative looks, sales indicate Skoda made the right choice in applying the Kodiaq’s styling cues to the Karoq. This deal sees Skoda provide a reasonable deposit contribution and interest rate, plus the first three months’ repayments knocked off the bill, an offer that’s been extended to the end of September.
The 1.0 TSI engine has reasonable performance, while SE Drive trim features dual-zone climate control and nav.
14. Volvo XC40
THE XC40 is a darling in the small premium SUV class, with its distinctive looks offering an interesting alternative to more conservative rivals. That desirability may explain why Volvo isn’t offering a tempting interest rate or deposit contribution, but strong residual values help keep the monthly PCP repayments palatable.
Momentum spec ticks most of the kit boxes you want, while the 187bhp 2.0-litre T4 petrol engine has effortless performance that suits this modern Volvo.
13. Kia Sportage
HANDSOME, comfortable, practical and with great infotainment, the Sportage is an excellent family SUV, according to our readers, and Kia is offering a £2,500 deposit contribution to help ease you into one.
We’ve gone for the 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine here, because the non-turbo 1.6 is a little lethargic, although the lesser engine will bring repayments down. GT-Line trim has tweaks such as dark chrome trim and 19-inch rims, plus leather seats and a sports steering wheel.
12. Toyota RAV4
THE RAV4 was the second best-selling car in the world in 2019, so Toyota doesn’t need to incentivise it much. Yet the firm is offering 1.9 per cent interest here, helping to put this practical and sharp-looking SUV on your drive for less than £350 a month, with £4,000 down.
Design trim features 18-inch alloys, adaptive cruise and roof rails, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make the eight-inch infotainment – a bit of a weak spot according to Driver Power respondents – far more user-friendly.
11. Mazda 6
MAZDA’S current design language has featured on some fine-looking cars, and the 6 is no exception. Even the estate looks sharp (prices here are for the saloon), and making the 6 even more attractive is this interestfree deal. This means reasonable monthly repayments if you put a 15 per cent deposit down.
Sport Nav+ adds a 20bhp boost to the 2.0-litre petrol engine over lower trims, as well as a Bose stereo, 19-inch alloys and leather seats. Owners say the 6 is reliable, too.
10. Skoda Superb
LIKE the Karoq (opposite), the Superb benefits from Skoda’s offer, available until the end of September, that sees it pay the first three monthly payments on your behalf, and there’s a chunky deposit contribution, too.
A recent facelift means the Superb looks sharp, while it remains the most practical car in its class. SE trim includes all the main pieces of equipment modern buyers expect, while the 118bhp diesel provides adequate performance together with strong economy.
9. Hyundai Ioniq
THE Ioniq is offered with three powertrain options: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric. We’ve gone for the hybrid, and while the interest rate is so-so rather than exceptional, Hyundai’s £1,000 deposit contribution sweetens the deal, as does the firm’s five-year warranty.
Driver Power responses indicate the Ioniq is a smooth, efficient car with excellent infotainment. Premium trim gets you heated seats, LED headlights, keyless entry and a 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment system.
8. Lexus IS
LEXUS won’t be bringing the next-generation IS saloon to the UK, so that’s all the more reason to hunt out the current one before it disappears from new-car forecourts.
The IS is a car owners consistently rave about for its reliability, interior quality and handling, while the low interest rate and deposit contribution of this deal make the BMW 3 Series rival even more appealing. Opting for F Sport trim includes snappier styling, LED headlights, upgraded front seats and a number of other goodies.
7. Toyota Corolla
THIS zero-per-cent deal is worth pursuing if you’re after a Corolla. It’s an accomplished car, offering the smooth, economical benefits of Toyota’s tried-and-tested petrolelectric hybrid system, with a five-year warranty.
Add into that a comfortable ride and competent handling, and you’ve got a family hatch with much more appeal than the Auris it replaced. Design trim includes 17-inch alloys and adaptive cruise control, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
6. Skoda Kodiaq
THE vagaries of the new-car finance market mean this deal was set to run out two days after this magazine hits the shelves, but Skoda has confirmed that it will be extended to the end of September to help tempt you into a Kodiaq.
With that in mind, the Czech brand will give you a £3,250 deposit contribution, an attractive interest rate, and even knock three months’ worth of payments off the bill, giving you a 48-month contract for which you’ll only make 44 repayments (the first payment being rolled into the deposit), a saving that amounts to more than £1,000 on top of the deposit contribution.
VW’s excellent 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI engine comes with this particular Kodiaq, while SE L trim includes 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, leather/synthetic suede heated seats, plus an eight-inch infotainment screen.
5. Mazda CX-5
FANCY a family SUV, but want something that looks sleeker and drives a bit more sharply than most? The Mazda CX-5 could be just the ticket. Stick just under £4,500 down and you could have one for only £279 a month over 42 months, a low figure that’s partly facilitated by a zero per cent interest offer. We’ve plumped for a petrol model in SE-L trim for this deal, which has all-round parking sensors, and an infotainment set-up with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus dualzone climate control and adaptive cruise.
Driver Power respondents tell us that the CX-5 is impressively well-rounded, with a strong series of scores that indicate the car has no major drawbacks at all. Perhaps understandably, some of the CX-5’s best marks are reserved for its exterior looks and cabin design, but owners also say it’s laden with safety kit, and offers strong reliability.
4. Kia Niro
DRIVER Power respondents rave about the Niro, telling us it’s economical, practical and easy to live with, and also good to drive. These facets are in addition to Kia’s industryleading seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty,
The deal here is for the Hybrid model, but Kia also offers a pure-electric e-Niro and a plug-in hybrid. Either way, opting for ‘3’ trim gets you heated leather seats, as well as a number of improved interior materials. Adaptive cruise control, a 10.25-inch infotainment system with full smartphone support, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera, plus a generous suite of safety tech are thrown in for good measure.
And while Kia’s interest rate isn’t the lowest around, getting this much car for £3,000 down and £340 a month is an attractive proposition. You should also get a healthy £2,000 deposit contribution, too.
3. Lexus RX
MOVING up both in terms of size and luxury, the Lexus RX can be yours for £528 a month, albeit with an £8,000 deposit. Lexus will bolster that by £2,000, though, and 1.9 per cent interest is lower than you’re likely to find anywhere on the high street. While the final balloon payment is a sizeable amount, the vast majority of buyers, even at this price point, tend to hand the car back at the end of a PCP deal, using any equity accrued over the contract to go towards a new car.
All examples of the RX come with leather, a 12.3-inch infotainment system (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) plus LED headlights, while adding the Premium pack sees heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-operated boot and upgraded leather trim included. Owners love almost every aspect of the RX, but do be prepared for relatively high fuel bills.
2. Peugeot 3008
OUR second-placed car in the Driver Power new-car rankings is the effortlessly cool Peugeot 3008, which wows owners thanks to its eye-catching interior styling, sleek exterior looks and impressive practicality, as well as its excellent driving dynamics.
It posted an impressively well rounded set of scores across all nine categories, and you can put one on your driveway for £325, plus a 15 per cent deposit. While Peugeot’s 5.9 per cent representative interest rate is average, rather than competitive, a decent deposit contribution softens the blow.
Mid-range Allure trim includes 18-inch alloys, ambient lighting, a reversing camera and a host of safety kit. And while a 1.2-litre petrol engine doesn’t sound big enough for a family SUV, it produces a decent 129bhp, while Peugeot’s PureTech engines are known for their willingness and character.
1. Kia Sorento
OUR Driver Power car of the year for 2020 is adored by its owners in a number of categories, with respondents praising the practicality of this big SUV, naturally, while also singling out its driving experience as rewarding, and its infotainment as strong.
You can get your hands on this champ with £5,000 down and just over £400 a month, with Kia bumping up that deposit by 50 per cent, and also providing a low interest rate.
Our pick here is the automatic version of mid-range KX-2 model, which has all the luxuries you’d expect a seven-seat SUV to have, including heated leather seats, an eight-inch touchscreen and all-round parking sensors. The Sorento is due for imminent replacement, so use this as leverage, because dealers will be keen to shift examples of this outgoing model.