Best electric or PHEV family car lease or PCP deals?
Discussion
Mods, please feel free to delete this if there is already a thread running (and point me to it please?). I follow the lease deals thread but am specifically after an electric vehicle or, at a pinch, a PHEV with decent electric only range.
We are after an electric car. My CLS63 is fantastic, but frankly is not getting used for anything but short (up to 70 mile return) journeys since children arrived, and the plan is to replace it with something electric.
That something needs to be pleasant to be in, and large enough for a toddler, baby and paraphernalia, yet wieldy in London (The CLS is just too long and wide for my wife).
I'd like to have an eye on cost as the Merc can them be sold, as can my old W124 E320 convertible (which also never gets used), and I can go to a fun four seat convertible with rear isofix for short family outings (Maserati Grancabrio seems to fit the bill, to keep it PH).
I have never leased or done PCP on a car, but notice a number of 0% deals on PCP around at the moment: and in these times, not throwing $50k of cash at a Tesla 3 Performance seems like a good idea. Over to the PH collective brain...
We are after an electric car. My CLS63 is fantastic, but frankly is not getting used for anything but short (up to 70 mile return) journeys since children arrived, and the plan is to replace it with something electric.
That something needs to be pleasant to be in, and large enough for a toddler, baby and paraphernalia, yet wieldy in London (The CLS is just too long and wide for my wife).
I'd like to have an eye on cost as the Merc can them be sold, as can my old W124 E320 convertible (which also never gets used), and I can go to a fun four seat convertible with rear isofix for short family outings (Maserati Grancabrio seems to fit the bill, to keep it PH).
I have never leased or done PCP on a car, but notice a number of 0% deals on PCP around at the moment: and in these times, not throwing $50k of cash at a Tesla 3 Performance seems like a good idea. Over to the PH collective brain...
Robbie, that is good to know.
To be honest we do about 5-10 miles a day in London (school runs, but even that may come down depending on where the kids go to school over the years - we have just swapped our daughter's nursery for one I can walk to) and once a week a 60 mile round trip so really on a PHEV I'd accept that our weekly and occasional trips are just going to be on fuel.
Really, I would like a full electric vehicle. Just considering PHEVs as an option. However, PHEVs do seem to be cheaper, and this is a factor. No point paying £300 a month for an EV instead of £200 for a PHEV a month if that once a week trip costs me less than £100 in fuel, maintenance etc., if you see what I mean?
To be honest we do about 5-10 miles a day in London (school runs, but even that may come down depending on where the kids go to school over the years - we have just swapped our daughter's nursery for one I can walk to) and once a week a 60 mile round trip so really on a PHEV I'd accept that our weekly and occasional trips are just going to be on fuel.
Really, I would like a full electric vehicle. Just considering PHEVs as an option. However, PHEVs do seem to be cheaper, and this is a factor. No point paying £300 a month for an EV instead of £200 for a PHEV a month if that once a week trip costs me less than £100 in fuel, maintenance etc., if you see what I mean?
Indeed. We have a PHEV (Passat GTE). We do almost all our driving in a 5-10 mile range in Harrogate so the 30 mile (max) range is fine. I too would have preferred a pure BEV but had to compromise as I a) wanted an estate, b) was buying second hand.
The Passat is a fine car. Perhaps a little bigger than you are looking for but coming from a E61 5-series it's not all that different in size. Performance is OK: it's not as responsive accelerating from say 60-80 as the 3l diesel was but it's fine. It certainly doesn't feel as planted on the road if you corner with any intent but as family transport it's ideal
The Passat is a fine car. Perhaps a little bigger than you are looking for but coming from a E61 5-series it's not all that different in size. Performance is OK: it's not as responsive accelerating from say 60-80 as the 3l diesel was but it's fine. It certainly doesn't feel as planted on the road if you corner with any intent but as family transport it's ideal
Keep an eye out for Hyundai Ioniq Electric deals, they seem to pop up regularly. Admittedly we’ve only had ours a few days, but it seems a great family car with a near 200 mile range. It does appear to be less popular than the Kona/e-Nero so deals do seem better. Ours is £215/month on 6x35 on 10K miles in our choice of colour (pearlescent blue).
Thanks - that does seem good. I am looking at a Smart ForFour at around £150/month as a city only car, but the Ioniq could do longer journeys and has a lot more luggage space.
Of course, here in London everyone on the road will think I am an Uber driver and never let me out of side streets. My week with a Prius taught me that this really is a thing in our capital!
Of course, here in London everyone on the road will think I am an Uber driver and never let me out of side streets. My week with a Prius taught me that this really is a thing in our capital!
An i3 would probably be perfect for London use, quite spacious inside although boot is limited which may be an issue with pushchair and other stuff. They also have a great interior but probably more than you want to spend. There were some good lease deals on the outgoing E Golf, which had limited range of about 90 miles I think, but could work in your situation.
Otherwise I think you need to look at the Korean EVs or a Leaf, anything German with a nice interior is a lot more money unless you can cope with an i3. The XC40 electric or hybrid may also be worth a look, but won't be cheap.
If you go full EV and a company car is an option, then look at that, the tax advantages offset some of the additional cost.
Otherwise I think you need to look at the Korean EVs or a Leaf, anything German with a nice interior is a lot more money unless you can cope with an i3. The XC40 electric or hybrid may also be worth a look, but won't be cheap.
If you go full EV and a company car is an option, then look at that, the tax advantages offset some of the additional cost.
As a London based bod, I don't get a company car, sadly.
I think part of the problem is do I want something basic as a London car in addition to the petrol car, in which case cheap and cheerful with little luggage space is fine, or do I want to go to a one car family (in which case you want something truly capable and nice - thinking Polestar 2 or similar)
At this point, leaning towards cheap and cheerful.
I think part of the problem is do I want something basic as a London car in addition to the petrol car, in which case cheap and cheerful with little luggage space is fine, or do I want to go to a one car family (in which case you want something truly capable and nice - thinking Polestar 2 or similar)
At this point, leaning towards cheap and cheerful.
edc said:
Cheap cheerful space PHEV
https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/deals/suzuki/v...
Are you sure? that links to a 48V mild hybrid.https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/deals/suzuki/v...
I was thinking about a Mk1 Nissan Leaf as a cheap solution. Interestingly, prices are decreasing: I assume because choice is increasing on the EV front.
These cars have a tiny range, so it may be that such city only vehicles become even cheaper as better cars become available on new and second hand markets.
Also makes me wonder if lease deals may get worse as residuals generally worsen?
These cars have a tiny range, so it may be that such city only vehicles become even cheaper as better cars become available on new and second hand markets.
Also makes me wonder if lease deals may get worse as residuals generally worsen?
I was thinking about a Mk1 Nissan Leaf as a cheap solution. Interestingly, prices are decreasing: I assume because choice is increasing on the EV front.
These cars have a tiny range, so it may be that such city only vehicles become even cheaper as better cars become available on new and second hand markets.
Also makes me wonder if lease deals may get worse as residuals generally worsen?
Makes me think, weirdly, that PCP or outright buy on a high end model with good range may be the better choice, or a very cheap car for the city only as a "run it until it dies" choice.
These cars have a tiny range, so it may be that such city only vehicles become even cheaper as better cars become available on new and second hand markets.
Also makes me wonder if lease deals may get worse as residuals generally worsen?
Makes me think, weirdly, that PCP or outright buy on a high end model with good range may be the better choice, or a very cheap car for the city only as a "run it until it dies" choice.
Harry Flashman said:
Thanks - that does seem good. I am looking at a Smart ForFour at around £150/month as a city only car, but the Ioniq could do longer journeys and has a lot more luggage space.
Of course, here in London everyone on the road will think I am an Uber driver and never let me out of side streets. My week with a Prius taught me that this really is a thing in our capital!
Beware the For Four with kids, I don't think there's much room in the boot for all the crap that comes with your offspring. Of course, here in London everyone on the road will think I am an Uber driver and never let me out of side streets. My week with a Prius taught me that this really is a thing in our capital!
I hired one in Italy and couldn't fit 1 suitcase in the back, had to go on the back seat.IIRC the rear bench doesn't fold down.
Following with interest, MIL has just leased a new Zoe which seems to have very impressive stats.
I'm considering a second hand leaf/zoe for my wife as well. Oddly not for use in London at all, but to be used in the South West where I think we might make considerable fuel savings based on frequent 60 mile return journeys to our favourite towns/beaches.
I'm considering a second hand leaf/zoe for my wife as well. Oddly not for use in London at all, but to be used in the South West where I think we might make considerable fuel savings based on frequent 60 mile return journeys to our favourite towns/beaches.
I can only say great things about the Golf GTE.
We've had one for 2.5years and it works well as a family car. The boot is slightly smaller than the standard golf but you should get a pushchair/pram in. Rear doors are plenty wide enough for shifting kids in and out and all the faf with securing them in.
In London you will probably get 15-20 miles in winter and 20-25 summer on battery with excellent acceleration upto 40mph. Will do 80mph on battery.
40-60mpg in hybrid with flat battery.
35-45mpg in GTE mode with flat battery but you get close to GTI performance.
You could also consider the 330e / 530e.
I have a 530e as a company car. I prefer the golf but the 530e provides slightly batter range and performance with more space.
The new X5 45e had nearer 50miles range and Straight 6 turbo - yum. But you have to drive an X5 - yuk.
We've had one for 2.5years and it works well as a family car. The boot is slightly smaller than the standard golf but you should get a pushchair/pram in. Rear doors are plenty wide enough for shifting kids in and out and all the faf with securing them in.
In London you will probably get 15-20 miles in winter and 20-25 summer on battery with excellent acceleration upto 40mph. Will do 80mph on battery.
40-60mpg in hybrid with flat battery.
35-45mpg in GTE mode with flat battery but you get close to GTI performance.
You could also consider the 330e / 530e.
I have a 530e as a company car. I prefer the golf but the 530e provides slightly batter range and performance with more space.
The new X5 45e had nearer 50miles range and Straight 6 turbo - yum. But you have to drive an X5 - yuk.
Sevenon said:
What did you decide in the end Harry?
Holy thread revival... If you'd taken a minute to check Harry's post history you'd see he leased a Leaf for 3 years in 2021 and also got a Maserati Gransport, whilst seemingly retaining the CLS for some good fun. He's got some good carswap posts that are worth a read, nice seeing PHers swapping cars for a little time and trying out something entirely different.J1990 said:
Sevenon said:
What did you decide in the end Harry?
Holy thread revival... If you'd taken a minute to check Harry's post history you'd see he leased a Leaf for 3 years in 2021 and also got a Maserati Gransport, whilst seemingly retaining the CLS for some good fun. He's got some good carswap posts that are worth a read, nice seeing PHers swapping cars for a little time and trying out something entirely different.Sadly we need a 7 seat, 4x4 SUV, and it seems likely the CLS will go for an Audi SQ7 this winter. I had wanted a Disco 4 (and to keep my Merc as I love it), but the running costs and borkage have scared me after seeing a few and the bills they have thrown. Saying something, to someone who runs a Maserati and a 560bhp Mercedes...
The Leaf is, I have to say, excellent as a runabout and I got it for 198 a month with no deposit. Wish I had signed for 5 years, now.
More unexpected is how much it has wormed its way into our affections. Just a great car.
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